Food > Food and Drink Academy
Course Duration
Part-time: 4 years
Part-time: 4 yearsPart-time: 4 years
Course Location
Loughry Campus
Food and Drink Academy
CAFRE in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) has launched a 'study first' and work Apprenticeship opportunity. Study at Loughry Campus with an Apprenticeship employment contract with some of Northern Ireland's leading food and drink manufacturing businesses on the new Food and Drink Academy to achieve a Honours Degree. 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 three block release weeks during academic year, while working the remainder of the time.
On successful completion of the first two years of the Academy, learners will achieve a Higher Level Apprenticeship in Food Innovation and Technology (HLA Level 5). They will then progress on to the Level 6 Higher Level Apprenticeship in Food and Drink Manufacture (top-up). These programmes are validated by Ulster University.
Course Entry Requirements
Applicants must secure a Food and Drink Academy employment offer with a food or drink manufacturing 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 manufacturing businesses with Food and Drink Academy Apprenticeship offering opportunities for September 2026:
If you are a Food and Drink industry employer and interested in finding out more about the programme, click here.
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
How to apply
The application window has closed for the 2026 intake. For those who have applied CAFRE will share your details with the businesses you have indicated interest for employment with. The food business/es you select as part of the application process will then contact you, if you are shortlisted, to discuss your application and arrange an interview.
If you are interested in the Food and Drink Academy Apprenticeship programme, please contact Nicola.Kerr@daera-ni.gov.uk.
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 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.
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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