Business for Agri-Food & Rural Enterprise - Rural Enterprise Development

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.

Programme content will vary depending on the pathway chosen. The programme consists of six taught modules, five core and an optional 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 Rural Enterprise Development.



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.



Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31st July 2024 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.

MSc students will be assessed through work related assignments, projects, presentations and case study and a research dissertation on an approved business related topic.


There is an optional study tour.

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

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects

Introduction

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.