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Food > Food and Drink Academy

Food
Course Duration

Part-time: 4 years

Course Location

Loughry Campus

Food and Drink Academy

CAFRE in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) is delighted to launch a new 'study first' and work Apprenticeship opportunity. Starting in September 2025, study at Loughry Campus with an Apprenticeship employment contract with some of Northern Ireland's leading food businesses on the new Food and Drink Academy. The Food and Drink Academy offers you one academic year of student life, before three subsequent years of a combination of work and study. On the job training and the payment of a salary will be on-going throughout the duration of the four year Food and Drink Academy.

With an employment position secured, during the first year of the Academy you will study for 24 weeks at Loughry Campus, Cookstown, attending the college Monday-Thursday. You will attend work with your employer on Fridays and for full weeks outside the requirements of the academic calendar.

In the second year of the Academy you will attend college in semester 2 (mid January – May), three days per week for a period of twelve weeks. You will attend work outside the requirements of course. During years 3 and 4 of the Academy you will attend the college on two periods of three weeks of block release, while working the remainder of the time.

On successful completion of the four years of the training you will be awarded a Level 6 BSc (Hons) Degree in Food and Drink Manufacture, validated by Ulster University.

Course Entry Requirements

Applicants must secure a Food and Drink Academy employment offer with a food or drink business operating in Northern Ireland.

Minimum entry requirements for enrolment on to the Food and Drink Academy:

3 A-Level subjects at Grade B, C, C including one science* related subject. Alternative qualifications may be considered.

At least 4 GCSE subjects at Grade C or above including English, Mathematics, and science.

*Acceptable Science subjects at A2 Level: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Applied Science, Physics, Nutrition and Food Science, Environmental Science/Technology, Geography, Health and Social Care, Life and Health Sciences, Physical Education, Agricultural Science.

 

Applicants must satisfy General Entrance Requirements for Ulster University  and show evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE Grade C or equivalent) and, where specified within individual course entry requirements, in numeracy (GCSE grade C or equivalent). In addition, students need to provide evidence of passes in four different subjects, of which one should be at GCE Advanced Level (A Level Grades A to E) and three at GCSE Level (Grades A to C) or an equivalent standard in an approved alternative qualification.

Northern Ireland businesses with exciting new Food and Drink Academy Apprenticeship opportunities include:

Course content

Year 1 modules: (Monday – Thursday at Loughry Campus)
  • Academic and professional skills
  • Food microbiology
  • Food processing and innovation
  • Food quality and sensory science
  • Nutritional chemistry
  • Packaging technology
Year 2 modules: Semester 1 (In the workplace)
  • Applied investigative project
  • Work-based learning
Year 2 modules: Semester 2 (Three days per week at Loughry Campus)
  • Food safety and quality management
  • Lean manufacture and continuous improvement
  • Sustainable food innovation
Year 3 modules: (Three block release weeks from work during the academic year at Loughry Campus)
  • Food security and fraud management
  • Research project
  • Sustainable supply chains
Year 4 modules: (Three block release weeks from work during the academic year at Loughry Campus)
  • Leading in a process environment
  • Robotics and automation
  • Technical management

Food and Drink ‘Study First’ Apprenticeship opportunities:

ABP Food Group – follow this link to read the Food and Drink Apprenticeship opportunity

Avondale Foods – follow the link to read the Food and Drink Academy Apprenticeship opportunity

Leprino Foods – follow the link to read the Food and Drink Academy Apprenticeship opportunity

Cranswick – details to follow

 

How to apply

If you are interested in applying to the Food and Drink Academy Apprenticeship programme please clicking on the ‘Apply’ button. The application process will remain open until 21st February 2025 at 5pm. Applications received after the closing date will only be considered if there are places left on the Academy. After applying for the Food and Drink Academy, you will be contacted to attend an information session.

A number of opportunities will be available with food and drink companies, details of which are being updated above.

You will be required to complete a CAFRE application form which we will share with the businesses you would like to be considered for employment with. The food business/es will contact you to discuss your application and arrange an interview.

Course enrolments require the offer of employment as a Food and Drink Academy Apprentice with one of the participating businesses.

Course Progression

This programme may provide students with the opportunity to progress within their own organisation and to further their education through progression on to  Postgraduate Master’s Degree programmes.

The course has been designed to develop employees within the food industry to undertake management roles including operations, technical, continuous improvement, food safety and compliance, environmental management and product innovation.

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Loughry Campus

Loughry Campus aims to develop learners’ skills and competitiveness through education, training, business and technology programmes to meet the needs of the food industry.

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      This course is validated by:

      Ulster University logo

      Study as an Apprentice:

      Reviewed by the Quality Assurance Agency 2024

      Shaping the future of Higher Education with:

      Nicola Kerr

      Key Contact

      Nicola Kerr
      Senior Lecturer

      Nicola.Kerr@daera-ni.gov.uk