University College Cork

Food Business & Innovation

Course Outline
This MSc course prepares students for a career in dynamic food businesses to play a lead role in the analysis of key sectoral 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.

The MSc (Food Business and Innovation) consists of taught modules to the value of 70 credits, with an Applied Food Industry Centred Research Project (FE6122) of 20 credits.

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

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.

English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university approved English language requirements available here.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements, please find our grades comparison by country here.

International/non-EU applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure please 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.

Not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants.

For more information please contact the International Office.

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.

Further enquiries

Professor Joe Bogue
e: j.bogue@ucc.ie
t: +353 21 490 2355
https://www.cubsucc.com/programmes/postgraduate/

Subjects taught

Students take taught modules to the value of 70 credits as follows:
BU6510 Professional Development and Research Communication (5 credits)
FE6005 Strategic Food Marketing (5 credits)
FE6008 Food Marketing Channel Analysis 1 (5 credits)
FE6505 Food Entrepreneurship and Innovation (10 credits)
FE6506 Food Branding and Digital Media Marketing (5 credits)
FE6507 Economics of Agri-Food Markets and Value Chain Analysis (5 credits)
FE6509 Research Methods (5 credits)
FE6511 Category Management and Food Retail Marketing (10 credits)
FE6512 Sustainable Food Systems (5 credits)
FE6902 Global Food Policy Issues (5 credits)
MG6012 Consumer Culture and Consumer-Brand Relationships (10 credits)

Students take an Applied Food Industry Centred Research module to the value of 20 credits:
FE6122 Applied Food Industry Centred Research Project (20 credits)

Further details on the content and modules are available on the College Calendar.

Modules
Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our book of modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

University Calendar
You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.

Comment

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.

Assessment method

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

Application date

Applications for academic year 2020/2021 are open.

EU Applicants: UCC operates a rounds closing date system for the majority of postgraduate taught courses, which means offers are made 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 closing dates for postgraduate taught courses are below. Applicants are advised to apply as soon as possible.

Deadline for receipt of full applications:
For all completed applications received by January 10th 2020
Offers will be made by January 24th 2020

For all completed applications received by March 2nd 2020
Offers will be made by March 16th 2020

For all completed applications received by May 1st 2020
Offers will be made by May 15th 2020

For all completed applications received by July 1st 2020
Offer will be made by July 15th 2020

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

Non-EU Closing Date: 15 June
Non-EU Applicants: Information for Non-EU applicants may be found on the International Office Website https://www.ucc.ie/en/international/