TU231 - Full Time:
Minimum Entry Requirements?
Minimum second-class honours bachelor degree (2.2 or higher) in the area of culinary arts or other food related discipline at NFQ Level 8. Applicants who have an honours primary degree in a non-food discipline will be considered if their prior experience provides an adequate background to prepare them for the course. Applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis to assess their suitability and motivation for the course.

If you do not yet have your final degree results this will not hinder your application as we are happy to issue conditional offer letters in such circumstances.

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 7 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.

TU232 - Part Time:
Minimum Entry Requirements?
Applicants will normally hold a second class honours bachelor degree (level 8), lower division (2.2) or higher in the area of the culinary arts or a food related discipline. Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic requirements, but who have significant professional or vocational experience in culinary arts or food related areas shall also be considered. In addition to an application form, candidates may be required to attend for interview and submit documentary proof of relevant experience and ability to undertake this programme.

Note: Due to the considerable competition for our postgraduate courses satisfying the minimum entry requirement is not a guarantee of a place. Depending on the course of study applications will be assessed based on your academic grades and may also take into account your work/life experience. Applicants may also be required to attend for interview for specific courses.

If any applicant has a medically diagnosed food allergy (note; not an intolerance), these programmes are not recommended. Please note due to the great demand for our courses early applications are assessed when received and dealt with promptly. Therefore it is advisable to make early applications for an early response. If you do not yet have your final degree results this will not hinder your application as we are happy to issue conditional offer letters in such circumstances.

Applications for courses commencing in September 2025 will open in November 2024.

Commencement Date: September 2025

Apply Here

This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

What are my career opportunities?
This master’s course is designed to equip students for a career in food product development in general, and in culinary innovation in particular. The course provides participants with the skills and orientation towards product innovation, either in an existing business or as a start-up. Graduates of the course will have enhanced career prospects for a wide range of opportunities in the Irish and International food and culinary industries including food manufacturing, service and retail.

Culinary Innovation and Food Product Development graduates are in demand across a range of sectors including roles as:
• NPD Chef/Development Chef
• Formulation Development Specialist
• Culinary Arts Lecturer
• Innovation Technologist
• Product Development Manager
• Food Safety Consultant
• Business Development Managers

Progression
Students can choose to exit with a Postgraduate Diploma on completion of 60 ECTS.

Students who wish to achieve the MSc award will be eligible to do so on successful completion of all core modules and the dissertation.