PgDip Business for Agri-Food and Rural Enterprise Queen's University Belfast

Our graduates have obtained a wide range of employment positions, including personnel managers, teachers/trainers, consultants, development officers, managers within the food and retail sectors, or developing their own business ideas. Employers of our graduates include the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) along with NI’s largest food retail and manufacturers companies. Indeed, staff from these organisations often use the programme’s part-time route as part of their own career development plan.

Programme content will vary depending on the pathway chosen:

The programme consists of six taught modules, five core and one optional module related to the chosen pathway. The first three of the five core modules are

1. Skills to Affect Change within Business,
2. Rural Business Dynamics,
3. Integrating Learning with Business Needs,
   (taken in Semester 1 for Full-time students or Year 1 for Part-time students)
4. Research and Development and
5. Planning and Evaluating Change Management Programmes .are taken in Semester 2 for Full-time students and Year 2 for Part-time students.
6. Students will choose one of the three module options related to their career pathway from Innovation Management for Rural Business, Rural Enterprise Development or Business Communication.

Learning and Teaching

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high-quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable students to achieve their full academic potential.

On the PgDip in Business for Agri-food and Rural Enterprise, we do this by providing a range of learning experiences that enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society.

Opportunities provided for learning on this course are lectures, practical experiences, E-Learning technologies, Self-directed study and added value qualifications to enhance employability.

Students will complete their courses at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Loughry Campus, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

• Work-related assignments
• Projects
• Presentations
• Case study
• Research dissertation on an approved business-related topic
• Optional study tour

Entrance requirements

Graduate

A 2.2 Honours degree or above or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any discipline.

Applicants who do not meet the above academic requirements but hold a degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) and can demonstrate appropriate experience, will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31st July 2022 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

For non-native English Language speakers, evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last two years). Please note this course is taught at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE). Unfortunately, CAFRE does not have a UK Border Agency Sponsor Licence to admit international students. Therefore, it is not possible to consider international applicants for entry to this course.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for the English language for visa purposes.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

• Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
• Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast who need to improve their English.