Food Business Strategy

This comprehensive course offers a sound training in business concepts and practice, as well as a wider understanding of the unique environment within which food businesses operate.



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.



What Will I Learn?

• Analyse industries, markets and competitors to design and implement appropriate competitive strategies (PG4)

• Communicate clearly within various business settings using appropriate media (PG4)

• Critically assess global perspectives in which food businesses operate, including the influence of economic, political, social and cultural factors (PG2)

• Critically assess the economics of food businesses within the concept of sustainability (PG3)

• Devise and develop plans, strategies and organizational structures for food businesses operating in the global market (PG2)

• Employ suitable theoretical and practical models to assist the innovation process (PG3)

• Show ambition and courage for action and contribution to their future career and professional development (PG5)

• Understand the theory and practice of management and strategy development in food businesses (PG1)



This course 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.



NFQ Level: 9 (90 credits)

Level: Graduate Taught

Award: Master of Science

Stage 1 Core Modules

AERD40100: Economics of Food Markets and Business Behaviour

BMGT44500: Supply Chain Mgt Gbl Food Sys

MKT42590: Customer Focused Food

AERD40130: Food Policy and Industry Responses

MKT42070: Competitive Strategy in Global Food and Agribusiness markets

AERD40110: Group Project

AERD40150: Innovation for Food Business

MKT42600: Future of Food



Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:

Select one 10 credit module:

BMGT43480: Entrepreneurship: Theoretical and Empirical Foundations

BMGT44300: Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship

BMGT45580: Leadership, Organisations & Me

Entry Requirements

• A minimum second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in Agricultural Science, Science, Business, Commerce, Business Administration, Economics or related degree, or

• An honours Graduate Diploma in Business Studies or related subject, or

• A primary degree with a minimum of three years’ relevant work experience.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme.



Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page (https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax) for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

90

1 Year Full Time

Delivery: On Campus

MSc Food Business Strategy (D042) Full Time

EU fee per year - € 14400

nonEU fee per year - € 19825


***Fees are subject to change


Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

D042: Food Business Strategy

Master of Science



Full-Time: Commencing September 2025

Graduate Taught

UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School