Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems (Online)

Course Summary

ATU Sligo has a long-standing reputation both in food science, providing progression pathways and upskilling opportunities for those working in the Food and Drink industry. We continually build on our current suite of programmes in this area, allowing us to be agile and responsive to the Food and Drink industries’ needs and demands while also being compliant with new policy and regulations in the area of Sustainable Food Systems.

Our part-time online Level 9 Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems has been developed in collaboration with Industry and acts as a progression route to the Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Sustainable Food Systems.

Modules Include:

• Introduction to Sustainability and Sustainable Food Systems (10 Credits)
• Systems thinking (5 Credits)
• Sustainable Production (10 Credits)
• Sustainability and the Food Chain (5 Credits)

Course Objectives

At the end of the programme graduates should:

• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of policies, best practices, sustainable tools and theories that shape the world of food sustainability systems,
• Apply systems thinking approaches to critically and creatively evaluate the complexity of food systems and identify current and future challenges that may arise when adopting a sustainable system.
• Identify, assess, and propose sustainable solutions to real-world systems.

For more information, or to book your place, please contact Mark Skinner on (01) 6051615 or mark.skinner@ibec.ie
 

Key Course Information

Course Attendance: 

The programme uses a blend of learning channels to support learning, pre-dominantly live online lectures, supported by face-to-face seminars and self-directed learning. Adobe Connect will be used for lectures, whilst Moodle will be used as the student portal for accessing material, uploading projects and collaborating with staff and other students.  

Lectures will be delivered online. Live lectures normally take place between 6pm and 10pm, Monday to Thursday but this may vary depending on the availability of specific lecturers. If the Live Classroom scheduled times for the live online lectures do not suit you, recordings will be made available through Moodle allowing you to watch back at a time that suits you.  

Whether you are studying part-time online, blended, or full-time online, it is very important that you allocate enough study time to your online course to stay focused, reduce stress and achieve your goals. In terms of time commitment, students would need to allow 7 hours per week, consisting of 2 hours evening lectures and 5 hours independent learning and project work. Workshops are used to bring learners together and facilitate group learning. 

Assessment: 

With a heavy emphasis on practical application, participants are assessed via Continuous Assessment (CA) forms 100% of the marks for each module – no exams. CA will include the following: Scenario Based-Written Assignment, MCQs, Short Assessments, Quizzes, Presentations, Reflective learning journals, Team based assignments, Group project, Case study analysis, individual portfolio of learning. 

Application Closing Date : 31st August 2024

Entry Requirements

Applicants who should apply for the part-time online Level 9 Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems the are those who work in the food and drink industry with full or increased levels of responsibility in sustainability within their businesses. Working in a variety of functions with various 3rd level qualifications, but without a qualification in sustainability. 

This course is open to those with a Level 8 Degree or Level 8 or Level 9 in other areas with sufficient work experience as assessed by Atlantic Technological University. Applicants who do not meet this entry criterion may be considered through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). 

Applicants with other qualifications and with relevant work experience may also be considered through ATU Sligo’s Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) process. RPL is a process that may allow you to gain admission to a programme or to receive exemptions / credit from some parts of a programme based on demonstrated learning that you may have achieved through another programme of study or through your work and career. Further information is available through www.atu.ie/recognition-of-prior-learning which our dedicated RPL portal or by contacting our admissions team at admissions.sligo@atu.ie 

Career Opportunities

Further Study

Our part-time online Level 9 Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems has been developed in collaboration with Industry and acts as a progression route to the Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Sustainable Food Systems.  

Testimonials

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Programme Fees

Academic Year 2024/25 Fees

Total Programme Fee: €3,500

Fees paid directly to Skillnet, Fees not paid to ATU Sligo.

Graduates of the Level 9 Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems have the option to claim their Certificate or alternatively progress to Postgraduate Diploma/Masters of Science in Sustainable Food Systems. 

For more information, or to book your place, please contact Mark Skinner on (01) 6051615 or mark.skinner@ibec.ie 

Course Format

Semester 1

Semester 2