HE Course of the Week: MT556 Food Business Innovation at MTU Kerry

Are you one of the biggest foodies you know? Why not make a living from it and pursue a career in the thrilling food industry?

MTU Kerry provides a three year, full time, Level 7 course that will open up doors into the world of Food Business.

MT556 Food Business Innovation course is an Ordinary Bachelor Degree. There is 25 places available on the course. The BA in Food Business Innovation programme prepares students for a career in a variety of dynamic food businesses. The hands on nature of the programme will develop knowledge and skills which will help graduates play a lead role in the development and management of key sectors within the food industry. 

The course will provide the knowledge and skills to promote innovation, develop new products, and foster entrepreneurship with the key skills of branding, distribution, and sales, all underlined by sustainability. Through practical application, this programme will equip graduates with technical skills, communication, business and presentation skills, which are required and highly valued by the industry. 

This course prepares you for working in Food & Beverage, Tourism & Hospitality, Business Management & Human Resources, and Sales, Retail and Publishing. 

Entry Requirements:

This course was introduced in 2021. It is a new course so there is no history of points. Leaving Cert Subject Requirements are 5 O6/H7, O6/H7 in English or Irish and O6/H7 in Maths.

This course will accept Any QQI Level 5 or 6 Major Award as an entry requirement. Details of the QQI scoring system and a points calculator can be found here.

For more information on entry requirements, click here.

What You Will Study:

The modules on this programme reflect the global nature of the food industry and the vast opportunities it provides at varying levels, from home-grown entrepreneur to global development chef. This course has practical modules will provide the culinary skills to produce and design food products, coupled with the theoretical modules to provide the innovation and business concepts that will give the student the necessary skills to develop a successful business.

The programme was designed in a tiered approach with the following outcomes:

Year 1

Providing students with the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge required to work in a professional kitchen and/or food preparation businesses;

Year 2

Students will explore menu and dish design and will have the opportunity to develop this in their own pop-up restaurant concept. All this is backed-up with modern techniques and technologies, science, costings, food safety management and the use of social media to create your own profile and drive a business. You will also explore the world of retail food production and workplace catering.

Year 3

A highlight of Food Business Innovation programme is the food industry project which forms part of the Applied Food Product Development module. This module provides students the opportunity to work alongside a 'real-world' food business to produce a new product for the marketplace. Students will gain valuable work experience and apply the theoretical skills and knowledge developed through their lectures and college directed studies. Additional unique features of the Food Business. Innovation programme include an introduction to the national and international food sectors; sensory analysis; food photography and an introduction to food related research issues, and innovative teaching methods with online guest lectures from current leaders within the food industry. This is all underpinned with people management, entrepreneurial skills and sustainability as a foundation for the future.

To view the full list of modules throughout the three years click here. 

Career Opportunities:

Graduates from the BA in Food Business Innovation programme can pursue employment opportunities in the food sector and non-food sector as the skills acquired are highly transferable.

Graduates who successfully complete the programme can seek employment opportunities in: Food business management, food product design and development, food retail organisations, market and consumer research, product sales and marketing, entrepreneurship, artisan food production, food logistics, as well as cafés, restaurants, hotels, gastro pubs and general food service businesses.

Careers:

• Business Manager
• Entrepreneur
• Food Safety Consultant
• Restaurant Manager
• Food Scientist
• Food Technologist

Explore more careers here.

Listen to a podcast about this course here.