The course

Whether you live to eat or eat to live, the indisputable fact is that we all need to be regular consumers of food and drink. The agri-food sector offers more than careers based solely on farms or in retail food outlets. The food production industry is vigorous and dynamic, with the adoption of new technology and the provision of new products satisfying ever changing consumer demands. An important part of the sector’s success relies on an integrated approach and the close links which have been forged between growers, wholesalers, food processors and retailers. To be successful in today’s fast moving industry students are provided with a combination of general management modules and modules focusing on the global supply chain and food marketing including food quality, safety, processing and distribution. Once students have completed the taught modules they commence their Research Project which gives the opportunity to pursue their own interests and provides a valuable addition to their skills set.

The course aims to produce and develop well-trained managers who are working in, or wish to follow, careers in the food industry. It promotes analytical and management skills by focusing on questions raised in relation to public policy issues, the commercial environment and the supply of foods which meet supply chain customer and consumer requirements. You will hone your personal skills and be able to engage in critical analysis and formulate and express sound arguments.

How will it benefit me?

On completion of the course at MSc level, students will be able to use and evaluate business management techniques and assess their relevance to commercial practice under different technical and cultural constraints. You will also learn to appraise the dynamic legal, economic and political environment within which businesses operate.

Students become skilled in collecting, analysing and interpreting qualitative and quantitative data, technical and commercial information, as well as evaluating and exploiting the latest developments in technology. You will learn to identify solutions to business management problems encountered by firms that are appropriate to local, national and international circumstances.

You will become competent at identifying and solving information management and communication problems encountered by food production managers in culturally diverse circumstances, and will be able to critically review the existing knowledge of a sector specific topic and relate to a hypothesis which will advance that knowledge. Students also undertake strategic analysis, integrating a range of business management techniques.

Careers

Career opportunities in food production management are very good both in the UK and internationally. Our Masters programme has been designed to produce the type of well qualified staff required by employers. A large number of businesses and other employing organisations visit the University College every year to recruit new staff.

There are many career opportunities open to graduates of this MSc programme which span the whole food supply chain. This could include agricultural merchants, farm supply companies, procuring raw materials and finished goods, warehouse management and the complex organisation of product distribution both at home and abroad. The transferable nature of the skills developed at Harper Adams enables graduates to work in government, trade and overseas development organisations. Other career options include sales, marketing research, human resources, finance and information technology. Alternatively, you may wish to set up and run your own business.

Course structure

Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) credits

(60 credits)

Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) credits

(120 credits)

Master of Science (MSc) credits

(120 credits from the PgD programme plus)