Sustainable Development Agri-Food & Co-operatives

Course Outline

Our MSc in Sustainable Development, Agri-Food and Co-operatives is offered by the Cork University Business School (CUBS) at University College Cork. Our focus is on a deeper understanding of co-operatives, sustainable development, and the agri-food systems.



Our MSc is the only course of its kind in Ireland that fully integrates co-operative approaches into the study of sustainable development and agri-food. The course was recently recognised by The Education Awards 2024 where we were shortlisted for the 'Best Masters Programme' in Ireland.



This is a unique course, with a very strong practical emphasis and will equip participants with the organisational and management skills needed to make innovative contributions to the development of local economies, with particular emphasis on co-operatives, social enterprises, and food businesses in Ireland and overseas. It is aimed at graduates from a wide range of disciplines who wish to pursue careers in sustainable development and innovative practice leading to positions in the food sector (ranging from local food enterprises to large multi-nationals), local and international rural development, shared and collaborative economy, NGOs, innovative community businesses including co-operatives and social enterprises, local and regional enterprise development, corporate social responsibility, policy formulation, and analysis.

The MSc Sustainable Development, Agri-Food and Co-operatives is delivered over 12 months and includes a placement opportunity.



Part I (60 credits)

Core Modules (55 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 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)



Electives (choose 5 credits)

FE6506 Food Branding and Digital Media Marketing (5 credits)

AG3002 Soil Science and Soil/Land Management (5 Credits)

NE3003 Sustainable Energy (5 Credits)



Part II (30 Credits)

FE6308 Practice-Based Research Project (30 credits): Students complete a practice-based research project in collaboration with a relevant partner organisation.

A minimum Second Class Honours in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or equivalent, in a wide range of disciplines. Consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) 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 Cork University Business School (CUBS).



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

• In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

• Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements.

Closing Date

Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

12 months full-time.

Start Date 8 September 2025

Skills and Careers Information

Graduates of this course can expect to work in a variety of areas: our graduates are employed in co-operatives and other third sector organisations (e.g. social enterprises, voluntary organisations, charities); international, non-governmental (NGOs) and business development organisations; Rural development policy and support; consultancy (in agri-food, rural development, third sector); local economic development/enterprise development staff through local authorities and consultancies; local food marketing and branding; corporate social responsibility roles in food and other industries such as local development agencies (e.g. LEADER).