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MSc|Postgraduate Taught

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

Entry year
2024/25
Entry requirements
2.2
Duration
3 years (Part-time)
1 year (Full-time)
Places available
TBC (Part Time)
TBC (Full Time)

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.

Business for Agri-Food and Rural Enterprise - Rural Enterprise Development highlights

Industry Links

The MSc presents full-time students with two opportunities. In Semester 1, to experience teaching practice, and in Semester 2, developing business materials in a managerial or supervisory role.

A self-funded study tour outside NI to observe best practices within business and community programmes may also be an option (subject to viable numbers and resources).

Course Structure

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Introduction

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.

People teaching you

CAFRE, Loughry Campus
Email: teresa.mccarney@daera-ni.gov.uk

Teaching Times

Full-time classes are delivered mainly on Monday and Tuesday each week (mornings and afternoons) from September to May. Part-time delivery is on Thursday evenings from 7-9pm September to May.

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities available with this course are outlined below:

  • _

    At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.

    We do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society.

    Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are lectures, practical experiences, digital learning technologies, Self-directed study and industry focussed research projects to enhance employability.

    Students will complete their courses at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Loughry Campus, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

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

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Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

Entrance requirements

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.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

For non-native English Language speakers, evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last two years). Please note this course is taught at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE). Unfortunately, CAFRE does not have a UK Border Agency Sponsor Licence to admit international students. Therefore, it is not possible to consider international applicants for entry to this course.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

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Careers

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.

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 Contact college of choice
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 Contact college of choice
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 Contact college of choice
EU Other 3
International Contact college of choice

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

Students may incur additional costs for small items of clothing and/or equipment necessary for lab or field work
Please refer to: Post Graduate Course Manager at CAFRE please for information on tuition fees and additional course costs.

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How do I fund my study?

The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.

A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.

More information on funding options and financial assistance - please check this link regularly, even after you have submitted an application, as new scholarships may become available to you.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

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Apply

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

When to Apply

The deadline for applications is normally 30th June 2021. In the event that any programme receives a high volume of applications, the university reserves the right to close the application portal earlier than 30th June deadline. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Entry Portal (DAP) against the programme application page.

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Download a prospectus