About This Course
Fact File
-
Title
Co-operative & Social Enterprise (Online)
-
Code
MSCS
-
College
-
Duration
1 Year Full-time or 2 Years Part-time
-
Qualifications
MSc
-
EU Fees
TBC
See Fees and Costs for full details. Non-EU Fees
TBC
-
Entry Requirements
A minimum of Second Class Honours in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or an equivalent academic qualification. See Requirements for full details.
-
Course Delivery Method
Online
-
Start Date
Not on offer 2023/2024
Course Outline
If you are interested in pursuing or developing a professional or voluntary career in the co-operative or social enterprise field, the MSc in Co-operative and Social Enterprise is designed with you in mind. It is a part-time course taken over two calendar years.
The main aims of this programme are:
- to equip you for management careers and/or voluntary service at a senior level in a wide range of co-operative and social enterprises
- to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to participate meaningfully and effectively at a leadership level in the decision-making, management, and entrepreneurial processes of co-operative and social enterprises
- to develop your capacity to respond creatively to the needs and problems of the wider community and society, if you are either a voluntary or a salaried practitioner in a co-operative and social enterprise
- to provide you with access to postgraduate and personal development opportunities whilst allowing you to combine family responsibilities and employment.
The MSc in Co-operative and Social Enterprise is delivered by distance learning and comprises eight taught modules (taught in Part I) and a dissertation (undertaken in Part II). In total, students take 90 credits. Part 1 consists of 60 credits. Part II consists of 30 credits.
PART I
Core Modules (30 credits)
- FE6701 Co-operative and Social Enterprise
- FE6711 Research Methodology
- FE6702 Social and Co-operative Entrepreneurship
- FE6703 Co-operative and Social Enterprise Governance
- FE6704 Education and Marketing for Co-operatives and Social Enterprises
Elective Modules (30 credits)
- FE6705 Innovation and Enterprise in Financial Co-operatives and Mutuals
- FE6706 Community Co-operatives and Social Enterprises
- FE6707 Worker Co-operative Strategies
- FE6708 Co-operative Food Processing and Supply
- FE6709 Social Enterprises and the Developing World
- FE3824 People Management in Member-Based Organisations
- FE6712 Leadership and Change Management in Co-operative and Social Enterprises
PART II
- FE6710 Dissertation in Co-operative and Social Enterprise (30 credits)
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion, it is expected that you will be able to:
- Communicate and work effectively to a high professional standard
- Demonstrate advanced analytical and problem-solving skills associated with effective practice
- Engage in the advanced application of frameworks and techniques in organizational settings
- Appraise self-practice
- Propose and conduct empirical research for organizational and academic audiences
Further details on the content and modules are available on the Postgraduate College Calendar.
Additional Teaching Mode Information
This programme will be taught online.
Modules
Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our Book of Modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.
University Calendar
You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.
Course Practicalities
The MSc is a taught master’s course, with a research-based dissertation. Each module/course is delivered using a combination of text-based modules, academic textbooks, academic readings, web-based discussion and online lectures.
You will be assessed by way of continuous assessment, e.g. essays, group work, virtual contributions, etc. This means that there are no end-of-year written examinations for this course.
All our academic staff are experts in their field with PhDs and/or significant experience of working and researching in co-operative and social enterprises. Because we combine academic teaching and research into co-operative and social enterprises, with practical involvement with co-operative and social enterprises on the ground, we have unique insights into the key strategies, issues, and problems they face.
Why Choose This Course
If you are interested in pursuing or developing a professional or voluntary career in the co-operative or social enterprise field, the MSc in Co-operative and Social Enterprise is designed with you in mind. This course will suit a variety of people from different walks of life. It is flexible because it is delivered by distance learning and can be taken over one or two years. It is graded by continuous assessment and there are no written end-of-year examinations.
Skills and Careers Information
This course is designed for you if you are interested in pursuing or developing a professional or voluntary career in the co-operative or social enterprise field. It will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to participate meaningfully and effectively at leadership level in the decision-making, management and entrepreneurial processes of co-operative and social enterprises. Whether you are a voluntary or a salaried practitioner, this course will develop your capacity to respond creatively to the needs and problems of the wider community and society.
Requirements
To apply for this course you must:
- be at least 23 at the time of enrolment
- be able to access and use the Internet
- possess two years of experience in a voluntary or professional capacity in a co-operative or social enterprise,
and either
- hold at least a minimum of Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or an equivalent academic qualification or have at least five years’ extensive practical, professional or scholarly experience in the co-operative and social enterprise field as approved by the School of Business under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), and present for interview (if required) by the Department of Food Business and Development at UCC.
For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.
International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.
- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Please visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
Fees and Costs
The EU fee for this course is TBC.
The Non-EU fee for this course is TBC.
Deposits
If your course required a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second semester fee payment in January.
EU student fee payment
Fees for EU students are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration in August and the second in January.
International student fee payment
International Students can pay in two equal instalments once they have paid the appropriate deposit. The initial payment is due on registration and the balance usually by the end of January.
How can I pay?
You can pay by Credit/Debit card online or by credit transfer.
Questions?
If you have any questions on fee payment email our Fees Office at fees@ucc.ie.
How Do I Apply
1. Check Dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.
- For Irish and EU applicants we operate a rounds system and you can check the rounds closing dates here.
- Note that not all our programmes are subject to the rounds system so check the opening and closing dates for your specific programme in the fact file boxes above.
2. Gather Documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:
- Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
- Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.
3. Apply Online: Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.
- Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.
Additional Requirements
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:
- You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
- In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
- Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
- Please upload your CV.
- Please enter the names and email addresses of 2 referees.