Developing Sustainable Enterprises (Rural) (CertHE)
In today’s world, rural businesses face the challenge of growing responsibly. The Developing Sustainable Enterprises (Rural) CertHE programme is designed for students ready to make a positive impact on rural economies and contribute to sustainable development. This course encourages you to think innovatively about building a sustainable business that benefits both people and the environment, preparing you to make a real difference in local communities.
The programme emphasises sustainable development and ethical business practices, equipping you with the skills to address issues specific to rural business settings. You’ll study areas like business strategy and financial management, gaining an understanding of how sustainable approaches can drive profit while promoting long-term success. You’ll also explore community development and social enterprise, discovering how rural businesses can grow in ways that support both society and the natural environment.
The course uses a practical, problem-based learning approach. Through small group sessions, you’ll work with peers to tackle real-world business challenges, honing your collaboration skills and developing expertise in stakeholder engagement. These experiences will prepare you to create solutions that have a meaningful, lasting impact on communities.
Throughout the programme, you’ll be encouraged to challenge conventional business practices, looking for approaches that prioritise environmental impact and community wellbeing. You’ll also cultivate a sense of global citizenship, recognising how rural enterprise can connect to broader global sustainability goals.
Whether your goal is to launch a new business, improve an existing one, or rethink traditional business practices, this programme helps you build a sustainable business model that reflects today’s rural values. As a graduate, you’ll be well-prepared to enter the workforce with a forward-looking perspective, ready to contribute to the rural economy in ways that are innovative, socially responsible, and environmentally friendly.
Join a community that shares your commitment to innovation and impact and help shape a more sustainable future for rural enterprise with the Developing Sustainable Enterprises (Rural) CertHE programme.
Course details
- Full-time
- Distance Learning
- English
Undergraduate Fees
Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £15,525 per year
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
The Developing Sustainable Enterprises (Rural) CertHE programme covers essential topics such as business strategy, financial management, community development, and social enterprise. You will learn how to create sustainable business models that benefit both people and the planet.
Module Topics:
Our programme emphasises active learning and collaborative approaches that foster critical thinking, ethical reflection, and real-world application. With a blend of theory and hands-on practice, students gain the tools to influence sustainable practices and become proactive agents of change. Through engaging modules, we aim to create globally aware, socially responsible leaders who will shape sustainable futures across diverse community and enterprise contexts.
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
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Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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32 o Bwyntiau Tariff UCAS
- e.e. Safon Uwch: E, BTEC: PPP, IB: 24
The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a  for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff.
GCSEs
GCSE grade A*-C (grade 9-4 in England) in English and Mathematics is also required.
Alternative entry routes
If this course interests you, but you don’t have the entry requirements to join our bachelor’s degree you could consider:
- ‘with Foundation Year’. This route is designed to give you extra support as it provides you with an additional year (full-time) of supported study.
Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main degree. 
- Certificate in Higher Education (CertHE). This is a one-year course and is equivalent to the first year of the three year, full-time bachelor’s degree.
Once you have successfully completed your CertHE studies, you will be eligible to progress for the remaining two years of the bachelor’s degree.
These are ideal routes if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. 
Admissions Advice and Support
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, such as your background, experiences and individual circumstances. This is known as ‘Contextual Admissions’. For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa.
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship.
For full information read our visa application and guides.
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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The programme is assessed by a combination of innovative and more traditional methods which are designed to develop students’ understanding, problem-solving and creative thinking during the programme.
Assessments are closely linked to learning activities, where students build understanding and skills in weekly sessions and are able to learn from formative assessment throughout the programme.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch.
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills.
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It is possible to complete this programme of study without any additional costs.
Students may wish to purchase materials for modules, but this is not a requirement and will have no bearing on the final grade.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries section.
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Visit Go Global with UWTSD for more information about studying abroad.
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Graduates are prepared for careers in sustainable business development, community management, and social enterprise leadership.