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Nutrition, Food and Business Management
Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Course Details
CAO Code | AU989 |
---|---|
Level | 8 |
Duration | 4 Years |
CAO Points | 300 (2024) |
Method of Delivery | On-campus |
Campus Locations | St Angelas |
Mode of Delivery | Full Time |
Work placement | Yes |
Course Overview
Do you want a career in one of the most dynamic, fast-paced and innovative sectors of the economy? If yes, our BSc (Honours) in Nutrition, Food and Business Management is the degree for you. This four-year honours degree programme aims to support students who are passionate about food and nutrition and motivated to acquire business knowledge to excel in the food and beverage sector.
During this course, you’ll discover the science and strategy behind the food industry as you explore nutrition and sensory evaluation, food law, and the global trends shaping trade, regulation, and sustainability. Learn how modern food production & innovation technologies and labelling legislation impact the market. You’ll experience a blend of academic and practical learning in our dedicated food technology and science laboratories. You’ll have practical sessions in areas of food production and new food product development, microbiology, biochemistry and the chemical and physical analysis of foods. You’ll gain the knowledge to drive innovation and make a real impact in the evolving food sector.
As you advance through your degree, you’ll build your commercial expertise, business planning skills, and leadership abilities. During lectures and placement, you’ll gain hands-on experience in management and strategic decision-making, preparing you for a successful career in the agri-food sector. With a strong foundation in entrepreneurship & enterprise, and a deep understanding of business operations, you’ll be ready to lead and innovate in the fast-paced world of food business management.
A core part of this programme is work placement in Semester 2 of Year 3. Students will get the opportunity to complete a minimum of 20 weeks in a food producing company. There is an option for international placement on this programme and many students have taken EU-funded placement through the Erasmus+ Mobility scheme. During placement, students typically explore roles in new product development, sales & marketing, quality assurance, and production supervision. Irish placement companies have included Kerry, Flahavan’s, Glanbia, Aurivo, Good4U, Lakeland Dairies, Boyne Valley, Dairygold, Ornua, Follain, Ballymaloe Foods, Green Isle and many more.
With ample opportunities for career advancement & progression, the food and beverage industry is an exciting and rewarding sector for graduates to work in. For years, graduates from this programme have been highly sought after by top national and international food businesses as well as food related organisations such as Bord Bia, the FSAI (Food Safety Authority of Ireland), Bord Iascaigh Mhara and IFAC (Irish Farm Accounts Co-operative Society Limited). The unique combination of practical skills and theoretical knowledge students obtain are recognised globally and are indispensable in the food industry.
Progression
Master’s in areas such as Food Innovation and NPD and Food Quality or Food Safety
PhD pathways are also an option
Download a prospectus
Entry Requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirement | 6 subjects at O6/H7 2 subjects at H5 Maths at O6/H7 English or Irish at O6/H7 |
QQI/FET Major Award Required | Any, AU989 will be of particular interest to applicants currently undertaking study in the areas of nutrition, food science, business and general science. |
Additional QQI/FET Requirements | Three Distinctions |
Advanced Entry
Applications are welcome for entry to stage 2 of a programme at ATU, following completion of a cognate QQI FET Level 6 Major award.
Transfers into years two, three or four are also welcome from those who have completed learning in a cognate area in another Higher-Level Institute (HEI).
Testimonial
“My passion for food grew throughout the programme and I really felt supported by my lecturers. The smaller class size made it easy to get to know everyone and make friends. Due to the broad range of subjects it really helped to keep me focused and engaged throughout the four years, while the opportunity to complete one semester on placement was invaluable and allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. There are a variety of career paths I am starting to think about with major opportunities I had never considered before until I completed this degree”
Lydia McDonnell , Nutrition, Food and Business Management
Fees
Total Fees EU: €3000
This annual student contribution charge is subject to change by Government. Additional tuition fees may apply. Click on the link below for more information on fees, grants and scholarships.
Total Fees Non-EU: €12000
Subject to approval by ATU Governing Body (March 2025).
Further information on feesProfessional Accreditation
Additional certification can be achieved through programme: Basic Food Hygiene, certified by Environmental Health Officers (Health Service Executive).
Careers
With many of our graduates employed by large national and multinational Food/ Beverage organisations, this degree provides invaluable expertise and skills to graduates as they navigate their career development within the agri-food sector. The programme prepares you for a future career in the ever-evolving world of the food business enabling you to acquire key managerial and leadership roles in many aspects of the sector including but not limited to:
Various roles in Food Businesses
New Product Innovation Lead/ Manager
Sales & Marketing Executive
Market Activations Manager
Packaging Buyer
Compliance Manager
Lead Specification Technologist
Technical / Quality Manager
Operations Team Lead
R&D Process Development Technologist
Food & Drink Analyst
Customer Service Manager
Business Development Executive
Formulations Team Manager
Category Insight Analyst
Group Artwork Coordinator
Procurement Manager
Food related organisations
Bord Bia
Food Safety Authority of Ireland
Bord Iascaigh Mhara
Safefood
IFAC
Regulatory roles
Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine
Hospitality / Catering
Food Service Project Manager / Coordinator
Food Business Consultancy
Further Information
Contact Information
Admissions Office
Kevin McGlynn
Admissions Officer (Acting)
T: +353(0)71 9179621
E: admissions.stangelas@atu.ie
International Applications
Grainne Meehan
ATU Global
T: +353 (0)71 9179619
E: international.stangelas@atu.ie

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