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.