The MSc (Food Business) is a full-time taught programme running for 18 months over two academic years from the date of first registration for the programme.

Candidates must have achieved a First or Second Class Honours Degree. Relevant degrees include BComm, BA, BSc Food Science, BSc Food Technology and BSc Nutritional Sciences, BAgrSc, or equivalent.

The selection of modules is dependent on academic background and is subject to the approval of the Head of the Department of Food Business and Development.

Students take 120 credits as follows:

Part I
Students take 60 credits as follows:

Core Modules
Students take 35 credits as follows:
FE6117 Introduction to Food Marketing (5 credits)
FE6118 Food Business Research Methods (5 credits)
FE6120 Food Business Analysis (10 credits)
FE6121 Food Business Project (10 credits)
FE6125 Economics of the Agri-food System (5 credits)

Elective Modules
Students take 25 credits from the following:
FE4205 Consumer Behaviour in Food Markets (5 credits)
FE4206 Food Retail Marketing (5 credits)
FE4207 Food Supply Chain Management (5 credits)
FE6902 Global Food Policy Issues (5 credits)
FE6903 Food Security and Sustainable Livelihoods in the Developing World (5 credits)
FE6904 Co-operative Business and Food Supply (5 credits)
FE6905 Food Choice and Innovation (5 credits)
or
Language elective modules to the value of 10 credits to be chosen from the following (to a maximum of 15 credits in total of undergraduate modules, inclusive of language modules):
GE0003 German Language (Beginner Level A1) Part 1 (5 credits)
GE0004 German Language (Beginner Level A1) Part 2 (5 credits)
GE0005 German Language (Intermediate Level B1, Pt. 1) (5 credits)
GE0008 German Language (Intermediate Level B1, Pt. 2) (5 credits)
HS0028 Spanish Language (Beginner [00] level) (10 credits)
HS0128 Spanish Language (Improver [01] level) (10 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Part II
Students take 60 credits as follows:

FE6122 Food Industry Centred Research Project (20 credits)*
FE6123 Dissertation in Food Business (40 credits)

* Food Industry Centered Research Project
Students undertake a Food Industry Centred Research Project following the Part I University Summer Examination. Normally this will require a 16-week placement period with a relevant food business or food related organisation.

The Dissertation in Food Business (FE6123) must be approved by the Head of the Department/Associate School.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2016 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2015/2016.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MSc (Food Business) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Evaluate current food consumer and food industry trends, policy issues and drivers and strategies impacting on the evolving food supply chain
• Design and operationalise innovative marketing strategies for competitive markets
• Evaluate the role of market orientation and strategic marketing in new product success
• Identify the ethical, regulatory and environmental responsibilities of modern food enterprises
• Interact in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics/activities and identify the key issues in relation to a new language and its role in society and culture
• Evaluate their personal and employment skills development as a result of working in some facet of the food supply chain
• Apply new research techniques to new marketing situations
• Analyse the research process and its key components and design a piece of research to answer a specific research question