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

The MSc (Co-operatives, Agri-Food and Sustainable Development) consists of taught modules to the value of 60 credits (55 credits of core modules and 5 credits of elective modules), with Practice-Based Research Project (FE6308) of 30 credits.

Core Modules
Students take 55 credits as follows:
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 and Communications for Sustainable Food Production and Consumption (5 credits)
FE6507 Economics of Agri-Food Markets and Value Chain Analysis (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)

Elective Modules
Students must choose one 5-credit module from the following:
AG3002 Soil Science and Soil/Land Management (5 credits)
FE6506 Food Branding and Digital Media Marketing (5 credits)
NE5003 Sustainable Energy Futures (5 credits)

Research Project
Students take a Practice-Based Research Project module to the value of 30 credits:
FE6308 Practice-Based Research Project (30 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 2021/2022 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2021/2022.

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 60 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.