Food Innovation & Entrepreneurship - Galway
ATU Galway has developed this 16-week part-time course to enable ambitious students to transform their ideas into new businesses. The course is not taught in a traditional classroom setting. Students will have the opportunity to interact with a broad range of project hosts, practitioners, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs.
| Award Name | Special Purpose Certificate (Level 9 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Special Purpose |
| Awarding Body | Atlantic Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Purpose Certificate (Level 9 NFQ) | Special Purpose | Atlantic Technological University | Level 9 NFQ |
Duration
1 semester part-time blended delivery.
Recommended Study Hours per week
There will be two days of lectures per week (the majority is online, with three on-campus sessions in the semester).
On-Campus Attendance Requirement
The majority of this programme is online, with three on-campus sessions in the semester.
Note: Check programme Examination and Assessment requirements, as they may involve examinations to be taken on campus.
Entry Requirements
Honours Degree (Level 8) in any discipline, or an Ordinary Degree (Level 7) in any discipline plus two years of relevant experience working/ self employed in the area of food entrepreneurship/ innovation, or five years working/self employed of relevant experience in the area of food entrepreneurship/innovation.
Careers / Further progression
Careers
This course is focused on forming and supporting job creators. Throughout the course, participants are encouraged to seriously consider food entrepreneurship as a viable alternative to employment. There is a strong emphasis on the development of implementable and sustainable economic and social entrepreneurship ventures and projects.
In addition to the development of technical and transferable skills required for entrepreneurial activity, we also offer individual practical supports to participants who have identified business ideas, which they wish to pursue further. In such cases we act as a start-up platform introducing participants to experts and mentors as well as potential sources of funding.
For those seeking employment, rather than hoping to create employment, the course provides participants with sought-after skills in the areas of creative thinking, innovation, opportunity recognition, networking and team building, entrepreneurial thinking and action. Confidence building and ability to act autonomously, as well as peer-to-peer network development will be a strong features of our course. Standard CV and interview preparation are offered to all participants but due to the nature of the course are not always required.
Further information
Start Date: September 2025.
Total Fees: €2200.
Course Overview
ATU Galway has developed this 16-week part-time course to enable ambitious students to transform their ideas into new businesses.
The course is not taught in a traditional classroom setting. Students will have the opportunity to interact with a broad range of project hosts, practitioners, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs.
There will be two days of lectures per week (the majority is online, with three on-campus sessions in the semester). The practical application of learning is embedded in the course through regular real-life project challenges and the incorporation of industry and practitioner guest speakers and contributors into the course.
Multi-disciplinary team participation ensures students are exposed to alternative knowledge, skill sets and perspectives. This exposure broadens participants’ horizons and networks, stimulating the cross-fertilisation of ideas and capabilities. Delivery of the course will be led by the Innovation Hubs at ATU Galway, which have enabled dozens of potential entrepreneurs to take their ideas from concept to full commercialisation.
Modules:
• Creative Thinking and Opportunity Recognition
• Food Sector Specific Skills
• Food Sector Entrepreneurship
Where assessment on the programme involves examinations, these are held on campus or at another exam venue in the Republic of Ireland. There are typically two exam periods: January and May. Times scheduled for examinations (face to face / online exams ) are in GMT.
School of Science and Computing
Department of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition
Head of Department: Dr Lisa Ryan
Academic Contacts:
Maria McDonagh
E:maria.mcdonagh@atu.ie
Emma Finnegan
E:emma.finnegan@atu.ie