Bachelor of Business in Rural Enterprise and Agribusiness (Level 7)
| Duration: | Three Years |
|---|---|
| Awarding Body: | Galway/Mayo IT (GMIT) |
| Course Code: | GA172 |
| Progression: | Add-on Level 8 Bachelor Degree in Business Studies at GMIT or transfer to other Institutes or Universities |
| Location: | Mountbellew Agricultural College and GMIT |
| Method of Application: | CAO |
| Maintenance Grant: | VEC (means tested) |
Location
This three year third level course, which has a common first year with the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Environmental Management, is offered at the Franciscan Brothers Agricultural College, Mountbellew and Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.
Course Aim
The course, resulting in the award of a Level 7 Bachelor of Business in Rural Enterprise and Agri-Business is aimed at students interested in acquiring training and qualifications for careers in the rural and agri-business sectors. Some graduates take up careers in the agri-business and agri-service sectors or in the general business areas of finance, marketing, sales, retailing and management. A number of graduates manage farms or take up careers as development officers in government departments. Most graduates of the programme now progress to a Level 8 Bachelor Degree in Business Studies and then to Post Graduate courses after which they enter the job market. Some of these complete the Higher Diploma in Education and then find employment as teachers in second level schools.
Entry Requirements and Application Procedures
The minimum entry requirements for the course are a Grade D3 or higher in at least five (ordinary level) subjects in the Leaving Certificate including Maths and English or Irish. The standard points system is used to rank applicants. Mature students and holders of Fetac awards at Level 5 and Level 6 may be admitted without meeting these minimum requirements.
Course Structure and Content
The course is both semesterised and modularised. There are two semesters in each year and students take six modules per semester. There is a common first year for this Bachelor of Business in Rural Enterprise and Agri-Business programme and the Bachelor in Science in Agriculture and Environmental Management programme. After the first year students have a choice either to continue in the business stream or change to the science stream. There is a three month careers related practical training period in the second semester of year 2. This placement is normally done with key companies involved in the agribusiness and rural enterprise sectors.
Modules for Year One
Semester 1
Mandatory Modules: Financial and Farm Accounting, Microeconomics, Computing and Information Systems 1, Production Agriculture 1 and Environmental Science 1.
Electives: Language and Culture or Communications 1.
Semester 2
Mandatory Modules: Cost and Management Accounting, Macroeconomics, Business Statistics, Production Agriculture 2 and Environmental Science 2
Electives: Language and Culture or Communications 2.
Modules for Year Two
Semester 3
Mandatory Modules: Marketing, Farm Business Management and Advanced Drystock Production.
Electives include any three of the following: Agricultural Economics, Business Information Systems, Analytical Science, Farm Buildings and Maintenance, Advanced Dairy Production, Farm Mechanisation and Language and Culture.
Semester 4
Three months period of career related placement in an agribusiness.
Modules for Year Three
Semester 5
Mandatory Modules: Market Research, Enterprise Development and Sustainable Development.
Electives include any three of the following: Community Development, Rural Development, Advanced Farm Business Management, Environmental Management 1, Food Production and Language and Culture.
Semester 6
Mandatory Modules: Sustainable Agriculture, Agri-enterprise project and Agri-marketing.
Electives include any three of the following: Financial Management and Taxation, Irish Economy, Agribusiness Management, Management Information Systems, Quality Assurance, Environmental Management 2 and Language and Culture.
Progression
Students who achieve the award of Bachelor of Business in Rural Enterprise and Agri-Business Level 7 may apply to progress to an add-on Bachelor Degree in Business Studies Level 8 at GMIT and it is intended to develop a separate add-on Level 8 Degree in Rural Enterprise and Agribusiness in the near future. There are also possibilities to progress at other ITs and Universities.
Students who complete year 2 of the programme and who are unable to progress to year 3 but satisfy the required credits and learning outcomes may receive a Higher Certificate.
This award meets the training requirement for Stamp Duty Exemption and Installation Aid.
