Food Business Strategy

This comprehensive course offers a sound training in business concepts and practice, as well as a wider understanding of the unique environment within which food businesses operate. The curriculum has been co-devised by UCD Smurfit School and UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science in order to offer a unique opportunity to receive the highest quality business training as well as to gain a deep understanding of the food sector.



• Insight into the core business concepts that graduates from the course will need to master with a view to a future career in the sector

• Advanced knowledge of the factors specific to food affecting the sustainability of food production and the role that innovation can play in the sector

• An appreciation of the increasingly complex and global environment in which the food business currently operates and the uncertainties and risks attached to food production.



What Will I Learn?

• Analyse industries, markets and competitors to design and implement appropriate competitive strategies (PG4)

• Communicate clearly within various business settings using appropriate media (PG4)

• Critically assess global perspectives in which food businesses operate, including the influence of economic, political, social and cultural factors (PG2)

• Critically assess the economics of food businesses within the concept of sustainability (PG3)

• Devise and develop plans, strategies and organizational structures for food businesses operating in the global market (PG2)

• Employ suitable theoretical and practical models to assist the innovation process (PG3)

• Show ambition and courage for action and contribution to their future career and professional development (PG5)

• Understand the theory and practice of management and strategy development in food businesses (PG1)



This course is open to a wide range of undergraduate profiles, but is especially suitable for those with a background in agriculture-based or other science degrees seeking to develop their business expertise and those with more business-focused degrees and an interest in moving into the food sector.

Module/Trimester/Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

AERD40100 Economics of Food Markets and Business Behaviour Autumn 10

BMGT44500 Supply Chain Mgt Gbl Food Sys Autumn 10

MKT42590 Customer Focused Food Autumn 10

AERD40130 Food Policy and Industry Responses Spring 10

MKT42070 Competitive Strategy in Global Food and Agribusiness markets Spring 10

AERD40110 Group Project Summer 20

AERD40150 Innovation for Food Business Summer 5

MKT42600 Future of Food Summer 5



Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:

Select one 10 credit module:

BMGT43480 Entrepreneurship: Theoretical and Empirical Foundations Spring 10

BMGT44300 Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Spring 10

BMGT45580 Leadership, Organisations & Me Spring 10

Entry Requirements

• A minimum second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in Agricultural Science, Science, Business, Commerce, Business Administration, Economics or related degree, or

• An honours Graduate Diploma in Business Studies or related subject, or

• A primary degree with a minimum of three years’ relevant work experience.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information at: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/ Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Online Application.



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

90

1 Year Full-time. Delivery: On Campus.

MSc Food Business Strategy (D042) Full Time

EU fee per year - € 14400

nonEU fee per year - € 19825


***Fees are subject to change


Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

D042: Master of Science in Food Business Strategy Full-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught - UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School