The MSc in Co-operatives, Agri-Food and Sustainable Development is a one year full-time programme.

A minimum second class honours (NFQ Level 8) degree or equivalent, in a wide range of disciplines. Consideration may be given to applicants who do not hold a second class honours degree but who have sufficient relevant experience, subject to approval by the School of Business.

The MSc (Co-operatives, Agri-Food and Sustainable Development) consists of taught modules to the value of 70 credits, with Practice-Based Research Project (FE6307) of 20 credits.

Students take taught modules to the value of 70 credits as follows:
BU6510 Professional Development and Research Communication (5 credits)
FE6303 Sustainable Rural Development (10 credits)
FE6304 Co-operative and Collaborative Responses (10 credits)
FE6305 Contemporary Socio-Economic and Environmental Issues (5 credits)
FE6306 Marketing for Sustainable Food Production and Consumption (5 credits)
FE6506 Food Branding and Digital Media Marketing (5 credits)
FE6507 Economics of Agri-Food Markets and Value Chain Analysis (5 credits)
FE6509 Research Methods (5 credits)
FE6512 Sustainable Food Systems (5 credits)
FE6515 The Sharing Economy (5 credits)
FE6902 Global Food Policy Issues (5 credits)
MG6315 Project Management (5 credits)

Students take a Practice-Based Research Project module to the value of 20 credits:
FE6307 Practice-Based Research Project (20 credits)

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 2018/2019 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2018/2019.

Exit Award
Students passing taught modules to the value of at least 60 credits and achieving an aggregate pass across taught modules to the value of 70 credits may exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Co-operatives, Agri-Food and Sustainable Development.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MSc in Co-operatives, Agri-Food and Sustainable Development (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Communicate and work effectively to a high professional standard;
• Demonstrate advanced analytical and problem solving skills associated with effective practice;
• Engage in advanced application of frameworks and techniques in organisational settings;
• Demonstrate advanced analytical skills associated with the key challenges and decisions facing organisations and communities in responding to sustainable development issues;
• Demonstrate research and professional proficiency through the completion of an independent industry centred research project.

Programme Learning Outcomes for the Postgraduate Diploma in Co-operatives, Agri-Food and Sustainable Development (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Communicate and work effectively to a high professional standard;
• Demonstrate advanced analytical and problem solving skills associated with effective practice;
• Engage in advanced application of frameworks and techniques in organisational settings;
• Demonstrate advanced analytical skills associated with the key challenges and decisions facing organisations and communities in responding to sustainable development issues.