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University College Cork

Food Business & Innovation

This MSc course prepares students for a career in dynamic food businesses to play a lead role in the analysis of key sectorial issues and strategic management of the food industry. The balance of modules on this programme reflects the global nature of the food industry. Students will expand their knowledge of food, the food consumer, innovation in food and the decision-making processes in companies that develop, brand, distribute, and sell food products. Through practical application, this programme will equip graduates with analytical, communication, business and presentation skills, which are required and highly valued by the industry. Graduates from the MSc in Food Business and Innovation course pursue employment opportunities in the food sector (international corporations, SMEs, start-ups and food agencies) and non-food sector (banks, market research firms and higher education) as the skills acquired are highly transferable.

Course Practicalities

The MSc in Food Business and Innovation is a full-time 12 month programme. In first part, you will need to be available to attend classes and seminars from Monday to Friday (inclusive). During the programme, you will complete a full-time Food Industry Centred Research Project under the guidance of an academic and industry mentor.

Who teaches this course

The MSc in Food Business and Innovation programme is taught by academic staff of the Department of Food Business and Development and Management and Marketing. In addition, invited guest lecturers, adjunct professors and experts with a broad range of national and international experience will also contribute to the programme.

Why Choose This Course

A central part of the MSc in Food Business and Innovation is a Food Industry Centred Research Project with the opportunity to work in a food firm, food agency, university, bank or related establishment, where students gain valuable work experience and apply the theoretical skills developed through lectures and capstone style seminars. Additional unique features of the MSc in Food Business and Innovation programme include: an in-depth introduction to the national and international food sectors; a unique blend of relevant courses that are relevant to both established food firms and start-ups; and an introduction to leading edge food research issues, innovative teaching methods (including boot-camps) and exposure to digital marketing methods.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Participants can complete their placement either in Ireland or abroad, depending on their interests.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for the the MSc in Food Business and Innovation, candidates must hold at least a 2H2 in a primary degree (level 8). Consideration may also be given to applicants who who have a minimum of three years' relevant professional experience, subject to the approval of the Programme Director.

If you are applying with Qualifications obtained outside Ireland and you wish to verify if you meet the minimum academic and English language requirements for this programme please click here to view the grades comparison table by country and for details of recognised English language tests.

Non-EU Candidates

Non-EU candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to Irish university primary degree level. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. To verify if you meet the minimum academic requirements for this programme please visit our qualification comparison pages.

Duration

12 months full-time

Careers or further progression

Skills and Careers Information

The Programme provides the graduate with the expert skills to analyse the key issues impacting on food chains: changing consumer demands and demographics; food supply chain management and structural changes at retail level; food safety and consumer behaviour; consumer acceptance of novel foods; new food product development opportunities; the evolution of functional foods and the marketing of health-enhancing foods. The course is ideally suited to graduates who seek employment opportunities in Market Research, Consumer Research, Food Business Management, Product Marketing and Brand Management, New Product Development, Food Retail Organisations, the Financial Sector as Food Analysts, Research Institutions and Policy Organisations, and organisations that support food firms nationally and internationally.

What can I do after I graduate with a [MSc in Food Business and Innovation?]

[Problem solving, creative thinking, communications, strategic thinking, entrepreneurship skills]

Occupations associated with [MSc in Food Business and Innovation]

Food Sector: Market Research, Consumer Research, Food Business Management, Product Marketing and Brand Management, New Product Development.

What are our Graduates Doing?

Graduates on sister programmes have secured employment in international food and non-food firms (Glanbia, Ornua, Kerry, Britvic, Danone, Aldi, Dawn, AIB, LinkedIn), banks, food agencies (Bord Bia, UK Home-Grown Cereals Authority, Teagasc), brand management and marketing departments (Kerry Foods, Musgrave Group, Nestle), non-food agencies (Enterprise Ireland, IBEC, Bord Bia), market research firms (AC Nielsen, Spark Market Research, Dunhumby) and in Higher Education (CIT, WIT, University of Lancaster).

Further enquiries

Contact details for this course
Professor Joe Bogue
j.bogue@ucc.ie
+353 21 490 2355
https://www.cubsucc.com/programmes/postgraduate/

Subjects taught

The MSc in Food Business and Innovation is delivered over 12 months and includes a Food Industry Centered Research Project.

Students take modules to the value of 60 credits

FE6505 Food Entrepreneurship and Innovation (10 credits)

MG6012 Consumer Behaviour and Relationship Marketing (10 credits)

FE6511 Category Management and Food Retail Marketing (5 credits)

FE6008 Food Marketing Channel Analysis 1 (5 credits)

FE6005 Strategic Food Marketing (5 credits)

FE6506 Food Branding and Digital Media Marketing (5 credits)

FE6902 Global Food Policy Issues (5 credits)

FE6507 Economics of Agri-Food Markets (5 credits)

FE6512 Sustainable Food Systems (5 credits)

FE6508 Food Supply Chain and Value Analysis (5 credits)

Students take modules to the value of 30 credits

FE6122 Food Industry Centered Research Project (20 credits)
FE6510 Professional Development (5 credits)
FE6509 Research Methods (5 credits)

Assessment method

You will be assessed by examinations, continuous assessment and a Food Industry Centred Research Project report.

Application date

Applications for 2019 start dates will open on November 1st 2018.

EU Applicants: UCC operates a rounds closing date system for the majority of postgraduate taught courses, which means we offer places four times a year on a rolling basis. Some courses have one specific closing date, please check your course prospectus page for this information.

The UCC rounds EU application system closing dates for postgraduate taught courses are below. We advise applicants to apply as soon as possible.

Deadline for receipt of Applications:

For all completed applications received by January 11th 2019
Offers will be made:Offers will be made by January 25th 2019

For all completed applications received by March 1st 2019
Offers will be made: Offers will be made by March 15th 2019

For all completed applications received by May 1st 2019
Offers will be made: Offers will be made by May 15th 2019

For all completed applications received by July 1st 2019
Offers will be made: Offer will be made by July 15th 2019

Late applications may be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for any courses that have remaining capacity for places.

While there is no official closing date for Research courses applicants are advised to submit their application at least two months ahead of their proposed start date. There are four official Research start dates – September/October, January, April and July.

Non-EU Applicants:

Please visit the following page for further information for Non EU applicants http://www.ucc.ie/en/international/studyatucc/postgraduateprogrammes/tau...

The closing date for non-EU applications is 15th June