Skip to main content

Postgraduate Business for Agri-Food and Rural Enterprise

Postgraduate > Postgraduate courses in Business for Agri-Food and Rural Enterprise

Postgraduate
Course Duration

1 year FT, 3 years PT

Course Location

Loughry Campus

Postgraduate courses in Business for Agri-Food and Rural Enterprise

The Master’s programme at Loughry Campus, Cookstown is 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.

During Semester one (or the first year part-time) students complete three modules which aim to develop the skills required by supervisors/managers to affect positive change in the business sector. The modules introduce the core business concepts of the programme and concentrate on specific skills required by the rural business sector:

  • Integrating learning with business needs
  • Rural business dynamics
  • Skills to affect change within businesses

After successful completion of these modules, students attain a Postgraduate Certificate

In second Semester (or second year part-time) a further three modules are studied which augment skills of planning, implementing and evaluating change at an organisational level.

  • Planning and evaluating change management programmes
  • Research and development
  • Sustainability leadership

After successful  completion of all taught six modules, students attain a Postgraduate Diploma.

On successful completion of the taught modules 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. Full-time students normally complete the research element from June-September, while part-time students complete their research during Year 3 of the course.

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 £2,800 for full-time students and £930 per year for part-time students.

Tuition fees* for 2024 entry are £2,825 for full-time students and £940 per year for part-time students.

*Provisional fee

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:

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.

Interested in this course, but have a few questions?

Get in touch for helpful advice.

Contact us
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.

      Interested in this course, but have a few questions?

      Get in touch for helpful advice.

      Contact us

      This course is offered in conjunction with:

      Queens

      Shaping the future of Higher Education with:

      Christopher McMinn

      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.”

      Teresa McCarney

      Key Contact

      Teresa McCarney
      Senior Lecturer

      Teresa.McCarney@daera-ni.gov.uk