Business for Agri-Food & Rural Enterprise - Business Communication

Overview
The Business for Agri-food and Rural Enterprise programmes, have been designed to develop a conceptual understanding of the principles and processes of change affecting individuals, groups or organisations within the agri-food and rural business sectors, through an active and innovative approach to learning and teaching.

Students will complete their courses at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Loughry Campus, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone.

Learning and Teaching
Learning opportunities available with this course are outlined below:
At Queen's, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.

We do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society.

Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are lectures, practical experiences, E-Learning technologies, Self-directed study and added value qualifications to enhance employability.

Students will complete their courses at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Loughry Campus, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone.

Business For Agri-Food And Rural Enterprise - Business Communication Highlights
Industry Links
The MSc presents full-time students with two industry –related opportunities. In Semester 1, to experience teaching practice, and in Semester 2, developing business materials in a managerial or supervisory role. A self-funded study tour outside NI to observe best practices within business and community programmes may also be an option (subject to viable numbers and resources).

Introduction
Programme content will vary depending on the pathway chosen:

The programme consists of six taught modules, five core and a module related to the chosen pathway. The five core modules are:
1 Skills to Affect Change within Business,
2 Rural Business Dynamics,
3 Integrating Learning with Business Needs,
4 Research and Development,
5 Planning and Evaluating Change Management Programmes.

The sixth module for this Master's pathway is Business Communication.

To complete the programme at Master's level you must also undertake a research project on a topic of interest to you relating to the agri-food and rural sector. The project is equivalent in weighting to three taught modules.

Graduate
A 2.2 Honours degree or above or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any discipline.

International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
For non-native English Language speakers, evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last two years). Please note this course is taught at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE). Unfortunately, CAFRE does not have a UK Border Agency Sponsor Licence to admit international students. Therefore, it is not possible to consider International applicants for entry to this course.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

• Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level

• Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31st July 2023 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

Please note: this course is not open to international students due to DAERA licence.

How to Apply
Applications should be submitted online via the Postgraduate Applications Portal for admission to the vast majority of postgraduate programmes.

New applicants will need to register via the Portal to create an application account. If you are already a Queen's student with an active Qsis account, you can log in using your student number and Qsis password. Guidance on how to complete an application is provided within the Portal and it is possible to save application data and return to complete it at a later date, if you wish. After core details about yourself and your academic background have been provided, you can submit an application, or multiple applications, if required.

If you applied in a previous cycle through the Portal and are re-applying, you should use your previous log in details. Please review and update your personal and contact details, academic and professional qualifications before submitting a new application.

Important – please ensure that the email address you provide is correct and active, as this will be used by us to communicate the progress of your application to you.

1 year (Full Time)
3 years (Part Time)

Teaching Times
Full-time classes are delivered mainly on Monday and Tuesday each week (mornings and afternoons) from September to May. Part-time delivery is on Thursday evenings from 7-9pm September to May.

Career Prospects
Our graduates have obtained a wide range of employment positions, including personnel managers, teachers/trainers, consultants, development officers, managers within the food and retail sectors, or developing their own business ideas. Employers of our graduates include the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) along with NI's largest food retail and manufacturers companies. Indeed, staff from these organisations often use the programme's part-time route as part of their own career development plan.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.