Postgraduate Courses in Business for Agri-Food & Rural Enterprise
Postgraduate > Postgraduate courses in Business for Agri-Food and Rural Enterprise
Course Duration
1 year FT, 3 years PT
1 year FT, 3 years PT1 year FT, 3 years PT
Course Location
Loughry Campus
Postgraduate courses in Business for Agri-Food and Rural Enterprise
Postgraduate courses at Loughry Campus, Cookstown are offered in conjunction with Queen's University, Belfast (QUB). The full-time course is offered over one calendar year of study. Part-time students complete the course over three years of evening study. On successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma courses, independent research is undertaken to complete a thesis to attain the final award of Master’s in Business for Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise.
Postgraduate Certificate
The Postgraduate Certificate develops the skills required by supervisors/ managers to affect positive change in the business sector. The course consists of three modules, which provide an introduction to the core business concepts of the programme and concentrate on the specific skills required by the rural business sector. During the Postgraduate Certificate students complete a teaching/training project in an appropriate learning environment.
- Skills to affect change within businesses
- Rural business dynamics
- Integrating learning with business needs
Course Progression
On successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate students may progress on to the Postgraduate Diploma course.
Postgraduate Diploma
The Postgraduate Diploma course builds upon the aptitude developed during the Postgraduate Certificate by augmenting the skills of planning, implementing and evaluating change at an organisational level. An industry, local business or work-based practical learning project is integrated into the course.
- Research and development
- Planning and evaluating change management programmes
- One optional module from: Business communication, Innovation management or Rural enterprise development
Course Progression
On successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma students may progress on to the MSc research element of the programme.
Master’s
Students, with the support of a recognised tutor, undertake research to demonstrate independent, innovative and creative thinking. Primary data is collected, analysed and presented within a three module weighted 16-18,000 word research thesis.
Course Entry Requirements
• Applicants should normally possess a BSc (Hons) Degree at 2:2 or above.
We welcome applications from a diverse range of Primary Degrees (please check the suitability of your qualification with Queen’s Admissions).
OR
• Students who have successfully completed the Graduate Certificate in Business Communication for Rural Enterprise (obtaining a minimum of 50% in each module) may progress on to the course.
Benefits of study
Postgraduate students develop practical knowledge and transferable skills to enhance and widen students’ ambitions and career choices. Attaining a postgraduate qualification has enabled students to improve their job performance and promotion opportunities.
Graduate profiles can be viewed here.
Course fees
Tuition fees for 2023 entry are provisionally set at £2,750 for full-time students and £917 per year for part-time students, subject to change.
How to apply
Applications to the course are made through Queen’s University Belfast.
To assist you with your online application watch this short video which details the application process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DwcB7ftbNQ
Unfortunately, CAFRE does not have a Student Sponsor Licence to admit international students. Therefore, it is not possible to consider international applicants for entry to this course. Applicants from Ireland and Great Britain are welcome to apply.
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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Christopher McMinn
Graduate
“While studying at Loughry I found the staff very supportive and approachable. Through completing the course I have gained confidence in my own skills, abilities and now have copious amounts of knowledge that I use in my job as a Business Lecturer. I would encourage anyone to further their studies at Loughry – it proved a great choice for me.”

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