Food Business - Cork
The BSc in Food Business is an exciting honours degree programme that provides students with all the practical skills and business knowledge to excel in the dynamic food industry sector.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Munster Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Munster Technological University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Score the necessary CAO points and meet Leaving Certificate Minimum entry requirements
6 Subjects
Subjects O6/H7 4
Subjects H5 2
Maths Grade 06/H7
English or Irish Grade O6/H7
With reference to MT929 students who successfully complete year 3, may apply for a Bachelor Degree qualification. There is no exit award at Level 6.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Minimum entry requirements may be satisfied by the results of more than one Leaving Certificate. The minimum entry requirements may be varied for non-standard applicants and holders of QQI-FET awards.
2nd Chance Maths Exam
Some students who apply for MTU courses may not achieve the required entry standard in Maths through the Leaving Certificate examination. For such applicants, the University offers a second chance to reach the required entry standard through a MTU Maths Exam.
This second chance facility allows applicants (depending on their results in the MTU Maths Exam) to gain entry to courses with an Ordinary Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard and (with a higher level of performance) courses with a Higher Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard.
Common Bonus Points Scale for Higher Level Maths
A bonus of 25 points is awarded to applicants who achieve a grade H6 or above in higher level (HL) Maths.
Formula:
All students presenting H6 or above in HL Maths will have 25 points added to their score for Maths.
The six highest subject points scores will then be counted to achieve a cumulative points score, as is normal practice. The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where the subject HL mathematics (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for points purposes. Consequently, if HL mathematics (cumulative points score) is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score. Bonus points will be awarded irrespective of the year in which the examinations were taken.
Foundation Maths
A minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths fulfils the minimum entry requirements in Maths for the following programmes
MT 571 BA in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 574 BA in Social Care
MT 654 HC in Arts in Hospitality Studies
MT 655 HC in Arts in Culinary Studies
MT 971 BA (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 974 BA (Honours) in Social Care
Maths is not required for entry to:
MT 575 BA in Community Development
MT 572 BA in Early Childhood Education & Care
MT 820 BA (Honours) in Contemporary Applied Art (Ceramics, Glass, Textiles)
MT 821 BA (Honours) in Fine Art
MT 822 BA (Honours) in Photography with New Media
MT 823 BA (Honours) in Visual Communications
MT 931 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Guitar
MT 932 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Bass Guitar
MT 933 BA (Honours) on Popular Music - Keyboards
MT 934 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Drums
MT 935 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Voice
MT 936 BA (Honours) in Music
MT 938 BA (Honours) in Musical Theatre
MT 939 BA (Honours in Theatre and Drama Studies
Although not a requirement, if an applicant achieves a minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths, this grade is recognised for entry and CAO points are awarded as follows: F1 = 20 points, F2 = 12 points.
Full details of the minimum entry requirements for courses are outlined on the relevant course webpage. Applicants are advised to check the relevant subjects, tests, portfolios, and dates very carefully. In particular, there are early assessment procedures for some courses.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Holders of the LCVP apply in the normal way through the CAO. Points are awarded on the same basis as for the Leaving Certificate. The link modules ‘subject’ may not be used to meet the minimum entry requirements.
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
The LCA subjects do not meet the minimum requirements for entry to MTU full-time courses. Holders of Leaving Certificate Applied qualifications may wish to proceed to a FET-QQI course and in turn apply to third level on the basis of their FET-QQI award.
Careers / Further progression
Career Options
The BSc (Hons) in Food Business will encourage students to consider new venture creation and understand the ‘food system’ which covers all the elements and activities that relate to the production, processing, distribution, preparation, and consumption of food, and the output of these activities, including socioeconomic and environmental outcomes.
Graduates will have the opportunity to advance their career in a challenging rewarding environment with adaptable, versatile, and transferable skillsets. Graduates will take up positions in areas such as:
• The Agri sector – Sales Promotions & Consulting, Sustainable Manger, Food Researcher, Process Hygiene Manager, Food Marketing Specialists, Client Manager
• Recipe Developer
• Food Blogger & Content Creator
• Food Business Advisor/Consultant
• Food Photographer and Media
• Education Sector
• Marketing & Sales - Food Product Sales – Sales Manager
• Human Resource Manager
• New Food Product Development
• Food Research & Development – Author, Food Plating-Styling, Food Pairing/ Food science
• Sensory Analysis
• Food Regulations
• Operations Manager of Food Plant
• Health Aspect of Catering – Future Food recipe concepts, design & implementation
• Television – Food/cookery segment
Further Studies
Progression to Level 9 Masters Degree and Postgraduate Programmes.
Further information
September 2026
32
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Overview
The BSc in Food Business is an exciting honours degree programme that provides students with all the practical skills and business knowledge to excel in the dynamic food industry sector.
All aspects of the programme are intrinsically linked to the food industry, which is rapidly expanding and changing its future focus to meet consumer demands and expectations. This programme is designed to provide learners with a holistic comprehension of the food industry. With subjects covering food and food science underpinned by sustainability, new and future technology, analytics, management, and leadership, graduates will become leaders in food business. Learners will also develop a professional network through work-based learning, thus gaining valuable experience by applying their theoretical knowledge in practice.
Through a blend of academic and practical learning, supported by a curated selection of field trips, talks from experts and work placement, students’ development of core and transferable skills will benefit career opportunities and potential. Students will experience solving real-world matters and meet leading industry figures from a range of sustainable and competitive food businesses from all food producer, retail, and product development aspects.
What will I study?
First Year at a Glance
• Farm to Table
• Sustainable Food Practice
• Food Safety Concepts
• Introduction to Management
• Irish Food and Culture
• Health, Wellbeing & Mindset
• Food Principles Applied
• Irish Food Sector
• Financial Accounting Fundamentals
• Science of Food and Health
Róisín Clancy
Tourism & Hospitality Department
Tel: 021 433 5820
Email: hospitalitycork@mtu.ie