Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Entrepreneurship (add-on)

This programme develops honours degree students in the field of culinary entrepreneurship. Participants on the programme will acquire the critical thinking and applied skills necessary to succeed in culinary business, food enterprise development and food innovation management.

The programme builds on the skills and knowledge acquired in the Higher Certificate and B.A. degree years of the culinary arts programmes offered in AIT. This add-on honours degree year develops competences in food entrepreneurship through combining core business concepts and analytical thinking skills with culinary arts, food science, sensory awareness, food cost and waste control, managing pressure effectively and problem solving.

This programme will allow graduates to progress to management and senior positions in the food industry and to progress to Master's degrees should they choose.

What will I experience?

On this course you will learn:

How to develop a new food product;

How to brand and promote food;

International best practice in food marketing (we have an annual international fieldtrip);

How to write a market research, business model canvas and business plan;

Sensory analysis of food;

An introduction to food science skills.

What opportunities might it lead to?

An honours degree (Level 8) is an effective basis for postgraduate training and research leading to Master's and PhD (Level 9/10) qualifications. Taught postgraduate opportunities for the graduates of this programme are numerous and varied and include Master's in food, hospitality and business management. Graduates from this course will likely work in:

Food product development

Food entrepreneurship

Food tourism

Culinary arts

Food sales

Contract catering

Applicants to this programme must have achieved a Level 7 degree in Culinary Arts (or closely related equivalent). All candidates for the programme must additionally satisfy the requirements of an interview to gain admittance.

Foundation level programme: Certificate in English for Academic Studies: Minimum IELTS 4.5 or equivalent.

Pre-sessional Summer programme in English June to August: Minimum IELTS 5.0 or equivalent.

Undergraduate programmes: Minimum IELTS 5.5 with no Band less than 5.0.

Postgraduate programmes: Minimum IELTS 6.0 with no Band less than 5.5 *

*note some postgraduate programmes require minimum IELTS 6.5.

Further Study

Graduate pathways upon completion of the B.A. Culinary Entrepreneurship in the Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure are varied and we strive to place our graduates in excellent establishments. A compulsory internship at the end of the course facilitates the transition of the student into full time graduate positions. Our graduates have gone on to work in food manufacturing, quality control and new product development, among other roles. Graduates from this programme will undoubtedly have opportunities in food product development, in food advisory and food marketing roles, in restaurants and hotels as chefs and in contract catering, craft food businesses and retail.

Application Procedures for Non-EU Students

Students applying for entry to undergraduate or postgraduate programmes should supply the following information directly to the International Office, Athlone Institute of Technology on or before 1 May for programmes commencing in September:

• Completed AIT application form;
• Detailed curriculum vitae;
• Certified transcripts of examination results and English language translations of qualifications not issued in English
• Evidence of ability to follow classes in the English language (which must satisfy Institute entry requirements for the following programmes)

• Letter of recommendation from appropriate Head of Department of own institution
• Any other relevant information regarding qualifications or previous work experience.

Students from non-EU countries must apply for a valid study visa for the duration of the programme of study in advance of registration at AIT. Visa application guidelines can be found on Department of Justice & Equality website: http://www.inis.gov.ie/