The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) has launched its newly developed portfolio of agri-food bachelor degrees, including two new programmes designed in collaboration with Ulster University.
In 2024, CAFRE was granted authority to reformulate three of its previous bachelor degrees into a new singular degree in ‘Food Innovation Management with pathways in Nutrition and Technology’.
According to the college, the course aims to equip students with the skillset and knowledge base required to excel in the fields of food science, technology and nutrition.
It will specifically focus on aspects of food safety, the application of new technologies and processes, product innovation, emerging market and consumer trends, and the business and management functions underpinning the food manufacturing sector in general.
CAFRE has also launched a BSc (Hons) Degree in Sustainable Agri-Food Management, which will focus more on the agri-food supply chain at a strategic level, addressing current and future industry challenges related to traceability, logistics and environmentalism.
CAFRE
Remarking on the new course development, head of food education at CAFRE, Fintan McCann said: “With the global population projected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, we need to prepare now for the challenges the world’s food systems are going to encounter.
“When we listen to the media it’s hard to avoid conversations on climate change, resource depletion, biodiversity loss, and socio-economic imbalances. Consumers have never been more aware of the need to transform how we produce, distribute, and consume food.
“Against this backdrop, the decision to introduce a new degree for 2025 in Sustainable Agri-Food Management has never been more relevant.
“The new BSc Honours Degree will adopt a multidisciplinary approach to develop learners’ knowledge and skills across the food supply chain, from farm to fork.”
The Degree in Sustainable Agri-Food Management is an interdisciplinary programme offering insights into crop production, livestock management, sustainable land use and the ecological systems applicable to the process of sustainable food production and retailing.
Students will also learn how consumer behaviour and ethics shape the agri-food sector, and how to mitigate this influence when developing sustainable strategies and solutions for the sector.
According to the university, its graduates will be well-positioned for a wide range of careers, including those within measuring and reporting sustainability metrics, food security, research and innovation.
Senior lecturer, Dr Gillian Stevenson, has been leading the team creating the submission document for the validation of the new course portfolio with Ulster University.
“CAFRE is uniquely placed to deliver this integrated agri-food programme. It will cover a broad spectrum of topics providing learners with a unique insight into the agri-food supply chain.
“The programme learning outcomes are tracked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and will address the challenges of sustainability, food security and traceability across elements of primary production in horticulture and agriculture, food manufacture and quality.
“Learners will develop their knowledge of the supply chain and strategic business management. The course has been developed to ensure learners are provided with a stimulating academic education benefitting from practical learning experiences across CAFRE’s campuses.
“Module delivery will incorporate the use of the extensive educational facilities within the Food Technology Centre, Food Innovation Centre, Science Laboratories at Loughry Campus alongside Farm and Production Centres at Greenmount Campus,” Dr. Stevenson said.
The college has announced that applications for both degrees are now open to start in September 2025.
