The Business for Agri-food and Rural Enterprise programmes have been designed to develop a conceptual understanding of the principles and processes of change affecting individuals, groups or organisations within the agri-food and rural business sectors, through an active and innovative approach to learning and teaching.
Students will complete their courses at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Loughry Campus, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone.
Business for Agri-Food and Rural Enterprise highlights
Industry Links
The PgCert presents full-time students with the opportunity to experience training practice.
Full-time classes are delivered mainly on Monday and Tuesday each week (mornings and afternoons) from September to January.
Part-time delivery is on Thursday evenings from 7-9pm September to May.
Learning and Teaching
Learning opportunities available with this course are outlined below:
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At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable each student to achieve their full academic potential.
On the PgCert in Business for Agri-food and Rural Enterprise, we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society.
Opportunities provided for learning on this course are lectures, practical experiences, E-Learning technologies, and Self-directed study to enhance employability.
Students will complete their courses at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Loughry Campus, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone
Assessment
Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:
PgCert students will be assessed through work related assignments, projects and presentations
The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.
This module develops initially from an investigation into what constitutes effective management and the related models and theories. It then further examines the factors that affect this process and its success in a variety of situations such as meetings, interviews (interview and interviewer), presentations and report writing, job skills analysis.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner should be able to:
Evaluate a range of models that can be used as a basis of effective communication in a variety of situations;
Defend the role of communication in ensuring effective change in others;
Critically evaluate the communication processes in a range of individual and small group situations;
Critically review styles of personal communication and present evidence of development and specialisms.
Skills
Apply diagnostic skills in the evaluation of factors affecting the communciation process in a change situation. Exhibit change management skills (presentation, and analysis) in order to affect change needed within businesses. Use research skills to evaluate the factors affecting interview success. Demonstrate personal development in communication effectiveness.
This module will give students the theoretical backdrop to the business dynamic and the challenges this presents for people in organisations. It will review the roles and behaviours of key players i.e. individuals, groups and managers and introduce key processes such as problem solving and decision making, creativity, leadership and motivation. These will be dealt with in the context of how they all impact upon the management of an effective modern organisation.
Learning Outcomes
The learner should be able to: analyse the modern organisation and its principle constituent internal players; describe the business dynamic and evaluate the role of key management process in ensuring an effective organisation; identify and evaluate the effectiveness of specific organisational communication processes.
Skills
• Critical thinking
• Self evaluation and appraisal of one’s own work
• The ability to analyse, review and advise
This module introduces the student to a range of current approaches and explores a range of teaching, training, facilitation, instructional and assessment strategies that promote active and effective learning and development relevant to business needs. A range of methods are examined including action learning, PBL, coaching, mentoring, distance learning, small group methods and the potential offered by communication & learning technologies. The module considers the issues and challenges associated with developing training sessions for different groups of learners and the importance of aligning the teaching, learning and assessment strategy within a business context.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner will be able to:
Discuss and apply the principle processes involved in planning, delivering and assessing a teaching or training session; Evaluate a range of teaching strategies and the types of learning they promote; Discuss the factors that contribute to the creation of an effective learning environment; Plan, deliver and assess a teaching or training session which promotes active learning
Skills
Planning, including contingency planning, of teaching or training sessions in order to develop sessions that meet the needs of particular groups of learners; Analytical skills including the ability to determine learners’ entry knowledge, motivation and individual learning styles;
Self-reflection, including post-lesson appraisal; Evaluative skills in determining the efficacy of particular teaching and learning strategies
A Degree or above or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any discipline. Applicants who hold the Graduate Certificate in Business Communication for Rural Enterprise will also be considered.
Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31st July 2024 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.
Please note: this course is not open to international students due to DAERA licence.
International Students
Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.
English Language Requirements
For non-native English Language speakers, evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last two years).
Please note this course is taught at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE). Unfortunately, CAFRE does not have a UK Border Agency Sponsor Licence to admit international students. Therefore, it is not possible to consider international applicants for entry to this course.
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.
Our graduates have obtained a wide range of employment positions, including personnel managers, teachers/trainers, consultants, development officers, managers within the food and retail sectors, or developing their own business ideas. Employers of our graduates include the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) along with NI’s largest food retail and manufacturing companies. Indeed, staff from these organisations often use the programme’s part-time route as part of their own career development plan.
Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.
2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Students may incur additional costs for small items of clothing and/or equipment necessary for lab or field work
Please refer to: Post Graduate Course Manager at CAFRE please for information on tuition fees and additional course costs.
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.
Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.
Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.
If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.
Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.
There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
How do I fund my study?
The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.
A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.