Postgraduate study

Postgraduate study at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)

MSc study opportunities are available both part-time and full-time, through the College of Agriculture Food and Rural Enterprise at Loughry Campus. The MSc in Business Communication for Agri-Food and Rural Enterprise is a postgraduate taught course validated by Queen’s University Belfast.

The full-time MSc pathway is completed over one full calendar year with students attending class on three days per week and the remainder of the week spent on independent learning.

Whilst Part-time students build incrementally upon their qualification to achieve a Post Graduate Certificate at the end of year 1, then a Postgraduate Diploma at the end of year 2, and finally the MSc after 3 years of study. Part-time students typically attend one evening class per week, usually on Thursday.

The taught Modules are:

Year 1

1. Skills to affect change within businesses,
2. Rural business dynamics,
3. Integrating learning with business needs,

Year 2

4. Planning and evaluating change management programmes,
5. Research and development,
6. Students then choose 1 of 3 options from; Business Communication, Innovation management, or Rural Enterprise; dependent on their personal interest and career pathway.

Year 3

Upon completion of all six modules the student then undertakes research demonstrating independent, innovative and creative thinking, with the support of a tutor who is a recognised Teacher of Queen’s University and students complete their Master’s journey with a research thesis where subject areas reflect the student’s own research interests.

Applicants should normally possess a BSc (Hons 2.2 or above) in Agriculture, Horticulture, Food, Consumer Studies, Business Studies, Environmental Science, Geography, Rural and Business Studies or related subjects. Applicants with a diverse range of degrees are also welcome and will be considered on an individual basis.

An alternative pathway to study the MSc is through completion of a Graduate Certificate in Business Communication for Rural Enterprise, which is a one year qualification studied one afternoon per week. Entry requirements for the Graduate Certificate are a Degree or Higher National Diploma or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any discipline. Applicants with relevant experience who do not possess formal degree level qualifications may apply and be considered through the Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning Route.

Any queries should be directed to Dr Claire Hughes
Email claire.hughes@daera-ni.gov.uk
Telephone 028 8676 8320 / 028 8676 8225

For further information on how to apply for a postgraduate course please use the link below:

• Postgraduate courses