Food Business & Innovation
Understanding the role of the consumer and the importance of meeting consumer demands within today's marketplace is the central focus within this exciting and challenging programme of study. The content is designed to develop your knowledge on the pivotal role the consumer plays in the design, development, management, marketing and retailing of products and services. It addresses the processes and key issues involved in helping consumers make informed choices about the products and services they buy and use.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor at UK Level 6 |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Ulster University |
| NFQ Level |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor at UK Level 6 | Ulster University |
Duration
Attendance
The programme can be completed in three to four years (if you select to complete the 48 week optional placement). You will normally complete three modules per semester, with class contact time approximately three hours per week per module. You will be expected to undertake independent study of around 10 hours per week per module. You will have a minimum of 9-10 class contact hours per week on the Coleraine campus.
At the beginning of year 1 you are also expected to attend a two day introductory induction residential involving outdoor team building and leadership activities. At this residential, you will begin to appreciate the nature of the leadership skills and knowledge required for a career in business.
Additionally, you will be expected to devote some of your study time to working with local employers on a specific issue as part of your 'live' project modules in Year 2 and Year 3.
Entry Requirements
Irish Leaving Certificate
96 UCAS Tariff Points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at Higher Level) to include English and Maths at H6 if studied at Higher Level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.
Careers / Further progression
Graduates from this course are now working for:
Coca Cola
Dunbia
Errigal Seafood
Genesis Crafty
Home Economics Departments
Little Dish
Moy Park
Job roles
With this degree you could become:
Food Product Development
Consumer Research
Graduate Programme in Product Development
Quality Assurance
Research
Sensory Evaluation
Teaching
Career options
In terms of career opportunities, the course structure offers flexibility to progress into areas of employment relating to consumer management and food innovation. Several career routes have been identified in the following areas: food product development, teaching, marketing and sales, health promotion, consumer protection and rights, human resource management and food journalism. In addition, successful completion of this course enables you to progress to Post Graduate study and be eligible to apply for admission to the one year full-time Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Home Economics). You will also have the opportunity to participate in the optional Tutoring in Schools programme prior to applying to the PGCE. The elective placement opportunity also provides you with valuable work-related learning experiences to further inform your career decision-making.
Further information
Start date: September 2024
Deadlines for on-time applications
2024 entry application deadlines
For courses starting in 2024 (and for deferred applications), your application should be with us at UCAS by one of these dates – depending on what courses you apply for. If your completed application – including all your personal details and your academic reference – is submitted by the deadline, it is guaranteed to be considered.
16 October 2023 for 2024 entry at 18:00 (UK time) – any course at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, or for most courses in medicine, veterinary medicine/science, and dentistry. You can add choices with a different deadline later, but don’t forget you can only have five choices in total.
31 January 2024 for 2024 entry at 18:00 (UK time) – for the majority of courses.
Some course providers require additional admissions tests to be taken alongside the UCAS application, and these may have a deadline. Find out more about these tests at https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/admissions-tests
Check course information in the search tool to see which deadline applies to you at the application weblink below.
Apply as soon as possible: Student funding arrangements mean that as offers are made and places fill up, some courses may only have vacancies for students from certain locations. It’s therefore really important that you apply for your chosen courses by the appropriate deadlines mentioned above, as not all courses will have places for all students.
All applications received after 30 June are entered into Clearing - find out more about Clearing at https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/clearing-and-results-day/what-clearing
Overview
Developing leaders for the food industry and education.
Summary
Understanding the role of the consumer and the importance of meeting consumer demands within today's marketplace is the central focus within this exciting and challenging programme of study.
The content is designed to develop your knowledge on the pivotal role the consumer plays in the design, development, management, marketing and retailing of products and services. It addresses the processes and key issues involved in helping consumers make informed choices about the products and services they buy and use.
The course will provide you with the appropriate analytical, teamwork, organisational and problem-solving skills and competencies necessary for a career related to consumer management, food innovation and food education.
About this course
The BSc Hons Consumer Management and Food Innovation will develop your knowledge on the pivotal role the consumer plays in the design, development, management, marketing and retailing of food products and services.
100% of the teaching team have achieved Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and seven of these team members have Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.
Modules
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
Year 1
Food Studies and Nutrition
Consumer Law
Food Sensory Science
Food Tourism, Festivals and Events
Digital Media & Creativity
Management in Action
Year 2
Health and Consumer Lifestyle
Entrepreneurial Product Development
Fundamentals of People Management
Accounting Studies
Business Research Methods
Contemporary Marketing Practice
Year 3
Placement - Optional
International Academic Studies - Study Abroad - Optional
Year 4
Food Innovation
Food and Drinks Media
Applied Sensory Science and Quality Control
Global Active Citizenship and Sustainability
Current trends in People Management
Management Accounting
Digital Marketing Management
The Business Plan - Optional
Research Paper - Optional
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
Associate awards
Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
Diploma in Professional Practice International DPPI
Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS
Professional recognition
Institute of Hospitality (IoH)
Accredited by the Institute of Hospitality that academic, vocational and professional standards achieved are appropriate and programme content and delivery meet international Institute of Hospitality benchmark standards.
Work placement / study abroad
During year three of the course, you will complete a compulsory work placement or study abroad. This may be a 48 week work placement with a range of national and international companies including Moy Park, Marks and Spencer, Tesco, Dairy Council, Ornua, Disney World (Florida) and The Big Pot Company or in the area of education such as Consumer Council (NI) and the Ulster University. The satisfactory completion of placement leads to the award of Diploma in Professional Practice/ Diploma in Professional Practice (International) upon graduation. Alternatively you can opt to complete a period of study abroad. During this period, you spend two semesters in an educational institution, which will provide exposure to alternative business cultures and protocols and enhance your personal and professional development. Successful completion of the placement leads to the award of the Diploma in International Academic Studies (DIAS) upon graduation.
Ulster University,
Cromore Rd,
Coleraine
BT52 1SA
T: 02870 123 456