MSc Food Business Strategy
Dublin, Ireland
DURATION
12 Months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 15,760 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* EU fee per year - € 15760; non-EU fee per year - € 22730
Introduction
The MSc in Food Business Strategy is tailored to reflect the dynamic, complex nature of the food production and marketing sector. Drawing on the experience and global success of Ireland’s food industry, the curriculum builds on a strong foundation of management strategy to focus on the unique challenges and opportunities of the food sector. From issues such as globalisation and sustainability to changing lifestyles and rapid innovation, graduates will be empowered with the proven tools and insights to springboard their career.
The programme offers a sound training in business concepts and practice, as well as a wider understanding of the unique environment within which food businesses operate. Students will gain advanced knowledge of the factors specific to food effecting the sustainability of food production and the role that innovation can play in the sector. They will also gain 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.
This programme 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. It is designed to offer students a strategic perspective on doing business within the industry, as well as the management techniques required, current marketing issues, leadership approaches and global policy demands.
Quick Facts
- 91% Employed After 6 Months
- 12 Months Full-Time Programme Duration
- 9 Number Of Modules
- September 2023 Starting
Vision and Values Statement
The MSc Food Business Strategy programme is open to a wide range of undergraduate profiles but is especially suitable for those with agriculture- science- or business-focused degrees and an interest in specialising in the food sector. The programme aims to provide students with core knowledge for management and strategy development of food businesses, which also includes an understanding of the role and importance of sustainability and innovation. Graduates will be competent to apply the critical and analytical judgement of the increasingly complex and global environment in which food businesses operate.
The curriculum has been co-developed by the UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School and the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science and offers a unique opportunity to receive the highest quality business training as well as to gain a deep understanding of the food sector. The theory-practice blend of the curriculum content, as well as the strong emphasis placed on recent developments within the industry, makes this the ideal preparation for a career in the food business sector. Graduates will be encouraged to apply and act upon their core food business knowledge and will have the ambition and courage to solve problems, work in a team and significantly contribute to the success of food businesses in their future careers. We encourage critical thinking and motivation and foster the ambition of students to continually work on their capacities. This is achieved by providing a diversity of learning environments (classroom, off-campus and guest speakers) and methods (lectures, group work, case studies, presentations) that ensures a stimulating learning experience. This equips graduates with the skills necessary to provide professional leadership in food businesses.
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
The curriculum provides sound training in business concepts and practice, as well as a wider understanding of the unique environment within which food businesses operate. Students must complete 7 core modules, one option module as well as a Group Project in the second and third terms.
The use of test cases is fundamental to the course to ensure its usefulness and relevance for graduates who go on to work in the agri-food industry.
Key industry speakers (including from the Food and Drink Authority and Teagasc) will contribute to a number of modules, providing students with insight into the latest developments in the field.
Autumn Trimester
- Food Economics
- Supply Chain Management Global Food Sys
- Customer Focused Food
Spring Trimester
- Competitive Strategy in the Global Food Industry
- Food Policy
- Group Project
- + 1 option module
- Economics of Entrepreneurship
- Project Management
- Creativity Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Leadership, Organisations & Me
Summer Trimester
- Group Project
- Future of Food
- Innovation for Food Business
Please be advised that the above reflects the 2022/2023 curriculum structure and is subject to change each year. Option modules listed are indicative of what has been delivered in previous years and are also subject to change.
Program Outcome
What will I learn?
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.
How will I benefit?
- The theory-practice blend of the curriculum content, as well as the strong emphasis placed on recent developments within the industry, makes this the ideal preparation for a career in the food business sector.
- The combined business and agri-food expertise of two leading schools, ensuring market relevance and strong theoretical basis to the course.
- The benefit of insight into the strategies practiced and applied within the industry, as well as the latest innovations and forms of leadership.
- Upon successful completion of the course, an array of national and international employment opportunities within a rapidly-growing industry or related sectors.
Programme Outcomes
On successful completion of the programme students should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the theory and practice of management and strategy development in food businesses.
- Critically assess global perspectives in which food businesses operate, including the influence of economic, political, social and cultural factors.
- Devise and develop plans, strategies and organizational structures for food businesses operating in the global market.
- Critically assess the economics of food businesses within the concept of sustainability.
- Employ suitable theoretical and practical models to assist the innovation process.
- Analyse industries, markets and competitors to design and implement appropriate competitive strategies.
- Communicate clearly within various business settings using appropriate media.
- Show ambition and courage for action and contribution to their future career and professional development.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities
The food sector is seen as a key growth sector. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates will be open to an array of national and international employment opportunities within a rapidly-growing industry or related sectors.
91% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, published in December 2022
Potential careers for our graduates include:
- Account Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Management
- Account Strategist
- Business Development
- Agribusiness Graduate Programme
UCD Careers Network
The UCD Smurfit Career Development Centre team will work with you to define your career path and support you in developing the career-related skills, know-how, and confidence to pursue your post-MSc career goals.
Our holistic programme is designed to support you at key points in your career development. Our programme is structured into three key stages, designed to support you in building and driving your own career.
A variety of workshops, events, one-to-one career appointments and access to a range of online tools and resources prepare you for future opportunities.