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Food Business Strategy

MSc (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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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

About This Course

  • 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)

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
AERD40100 Economics of Food Markets and Business Behaviour Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
BMGT44500 Supply Chain Mgt Gbl Food Sys Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
MKT42590 Customer Focused Food Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
AERD40130 Food Policy and Industry Responses Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
MKT42070 Competitive Strategy in Global Food and Agribusiness markets Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
AERD40110 Group Project Summer  20
Stage 1 Core Modules
AERD40150 Innovation for Food Business Summer  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
MKT42600 Future of Food Summer  5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Select one 10 credit module:
BMGT43480 Entrepreneurship: Theoretical and Empirical Foundations Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Select one 10 credit module:
BMGT44300 Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Select one 10 credit module:
BMGT45580 Leadership, Organisations &Me Spring  10

Graduate Profile - Gillian Wlliis, Small Business Manager, Bord Bia

My experience as a Food Business Strategy student at the Michael Smurfit Business School was one of huge growth and development both at an academic and personal level. I wanted to further my knowledge of not only the Irish food industry but also of the global one. The lecturers on our programme were top class with an extensive knowledge of both the domestic and international food industry.

Since graduating I have held global positions at Burger King and Tim Hortons, returning to Ireland to join Bord Bia. There is no doubt that the skills and knowledge I gained during the programme played a role in me securing my graduate level job and I continue to implement this knowledge on a daily basis in my working environment.

MSc Food Business Strategy (D042) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 15760
nonEU    fee per year - € 22730

***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.

  • 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

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes


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.

General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Food Business Strategy:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt D042
Food Business Strategy
Master of Science
Full-Time
Commencing 2024/2025 September
Graduate Taught
UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School
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* you can change options at the top of the page