BAgrSc (Hons) (NFQ Level 8)
Curricular information is subject to change.
Open AllOur Food Business with Chinese Studies programme prepares graduates with the skills urgently required by the Irish food industry to succeed in the changing market landscape. With Brexit and the uncertainty surrounding the UK market, it is critical for the industry to expand exports to emerging markets, particularly China. This requires improved foreign language capability, which we provide through a combination of fundamental food science and food business management modules, and language, cultural, and target market-oriented courses. In third year, students study at Renmin University of China, taking Chinese language courses and other relevant modules, while experiencing the diverse culture and vibrant economic growth of China.
By fourth year, students will have the knowledge and skills necessary for professional decision-making in agri-food business sectors in the global market, with particular emphasis on China.
The course brings together the established expertise in the UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science and UCD Institute for Chinese Studies. The core modules offered in the UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science (fundamental food science and food business management modules) combine systematically with modules offered by UCD Institute for Chinese Studies (language, cultural and target market-orientated courses). The course caters for all students who enter with differing levels of Chinese language ability.
First Year
Second Year
Third Year
Students will complete year three of their studies at Renmin University of China (RUC) in Beijing, where you will take intermediate or advanced Chinese language courses and a range of interesting and relevant modules. There will be a limited number of language scholarship opportunities available on a competitive basis that will cover tuition fees and accommodation for either one or two trimesters in China.
In addition to the benefit of a structured academic programme, students will also experience first hand the diverse culture of China and the vibrant economic growth that the second largest economy in the world has to offer. Living and studying in a different cultural environment will provide students with an eye-opening and life changing experience that will also help you make friends and develop networks across the globe.
Fourth Year
As the agri-food sector becomes more knowledge intensive, education and skills development are even more critical for career success. This course incorporates Chinese language and cultural components into the business skills and fundamental science required for managerial and professional careers in the agri-food sectors. These elements, combined with an emphasis on learning to think analytically, result in a course that equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary for professional decision making in agri-food business sectors in the global market, with particular relevance to China.
“I am currently a second-year student studying Food Business with Chinese Studies at UCD. I chose this course as I have a keen interest in the Chinese language, culture, and business. China is a major opportunity market for Irish food products, and I believe the skills acquired on this course will be highly desirable by future employers. The Confucius Institute at UCD is a state-of-the-art facility for learning Chinese in Ireland. The class sizes are small and personal, and you get the opportunity to meet many different students from across the University. The food business aspect of the course is delivered by the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science. The highlight of the course is in third year where you get to study at Renmin University, Beijing.”
Luke Greene, Student
Dr Brian Leonard
e. brian.leonard@ucd.ie
UCD Agriculture & Food Science School Office
Agriculture & Food Science Centre
Belfield, Dublin 4