| Code | DSAFE |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year |
| Teaching Mode | Part-Time |
| Qualifications | Dip |
| NFQ Level | Level 7 |
| NFQ Award Title | Special Purpose |
| Fees | €2,800 per academic year - The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine provide 64% of the fee to eligible applicants See Fees and Costs for full details. |
| Closing Date | 19th September 2025 |
| Venue | UCC, Cork Campus/Online |
| Start Date | 7th October 2025 |
Course Outline
This part-time Diploma is designed for individuals starting or looking to grow an artisan or specialty food business, as well as those already working in the food industry, including farmers, producers, retailers, culinary experts, and professionals in support agencies.
In previous classes we have welcomed a diverse group of individuals from various backgrounds, including farmers, artisan producers, chefs, environmental health officers, and those who are interested in farmhouse cheeses, smoked fish and seafood, fresh and specialist meats, poultry and pork products, sauces, confectionery, and fresh organic produce. This diversity, combined with insights from programme tutors (from business, food science and social sciences), guest speakers and field trips, fosters an excellent forum for discussion, experience sharing and learning.
A large number of these Diploma graduates are now successfully running small food enterprises from their home, farm or small production unit or have further developed and improved existing small food businesses.
The Diploma course is a mix of lectures, practicals, workshops, project assignment and site visits. It is run on a part-time basis over one year, typically 2 days per week (Tuesday and Wednesday) every 2 or 3 weeks, from October to May. The modules include Local Food Production Systems, Food Microbiology, Food Chemistry and Packaging, Sustainable Marketing and Business for Speciality Food Enterprise, Food Processing Technology, Risk Analysis, Nutrition, Food Production & the Environment and you will submit an assignment report at the end of the year. There are also practical sessions, guest lectures and site visits.
The Modules for the Diploma are as follows:
- FE1805: Local Food Production Systems
- FE1849: Sustainable Marketing and Business for Speciality Food Enterprises
- FS1820: Speciality Food Production Assignment
- FS1823: Food Processing Technology
- FS1824: Food Chemistry and Packaging
- FS1825: Nutrition and Sensory Science
- MB1800: Food Microbiology
- MB1801: Risk Analysis
- PS1801: Food Production and the Environment
Course Queries
For Academic Queries and Course Content Queries please contact the Programme Coordinator Clair Hoare at clairhoare@ucc.ie
For Online Application Support please click here.
Course Practicalities
This course will be blended with Online Lectures (10 sessions) and In Class Lectures (4 sessions). There will be sessions typically every 2/ 3 weeks from October to May on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00am to 5pm.
Why Choose This Course
This part-time Diploma is unique to UCC, and is the only one of its kind in Ireland and the UK. It is designed for those who are starting or wish to further develop an artisan or specialty food business and also for those involved in this sector including farmers, producers, retailers, culinary specialists, and those in support agencies. It is also targeted at second generation food business families.
Skills and Careers Information
Following successful completion of the course, you can expect to be successfully running a small food enterprises from your home, farm or small production unit or have further developed and improved an existing small food business.
Requirements
- The students come to the course from a variety of backgrounds, including: speciality food producers, farmers who wish to add value to their farm produce, retailers who wish to expand into the ever increasing organic and artisan food sector, restaurateurs and chefs, Environmental Health Officers and others working in support agencies who wish to increase their knowledge and understanding of the speciality food sector
- Candidates wishing to be considered for entry to this programme should ideally have experience in a food related sector.
- All applications are assessed on an individual basis to determine eligibility. This course will be open to national and international participants.
- English Language Requirement: All applicants whose first language is not English must have attained IELTS Level 6 or the equivalent TOEFL score.
Fees and Costs
€2,800 per academic year
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine provide 64% of the fee to eligible applicants
How To Apply
This course is not yet open for applications for 2025. Applications will be opening shortly. To receive a notification when this course opens for applications, please submit an expression of interest here.
To Apply for this course please follow the steps below:
When you log into the Application Portal:
Click Apply Online
Select Start a new Adult & Continuing Education Application
During your online application you will be required to upload the following documents:
- Birth Cert or Passport
- Passport Photograph
- English Language Test Report [if applicable]
- Supplementary Questions
Please download the following document: SpecialityFoodApplicationFormSupplementalDoc2024 and upload the completed document during your application.