Course Summary
This fully online, one-year full-time/two-year part-time programme is unique in Ireland, and internationally, in combining the potential to study and research at Level 9 (NFQ) in the areas of Home Economics, Nutrition and Health Promotion.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must hold a Level 8 Bachelor (Hons) degree with a minimum grade classification of H2.2 or equivalent in Home Economics or a cognate discipline. Applicants with other Level 8 programmes in Home Economics (B.Ed., B.A., B.Sc., etc.) are eligible, as are applicants with an honours degree (Level 8) in appropriate aligned / cognate disciplines, e.g. Human Ecology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Nutrition, Health Promotion, etc. Candidates who do not meet the H2.2 performance standard in a Level 8 award will be required to pass a qualifying assignment at a H2.2 performance standard.
Recognition of Prior Learning: Yes.
Application Details
Flexible learning courses are popular, and they fill on a first come, first served basis. There are two major intake periods throughout the academic year, September and January.
For January start courses, applications typically open in October, and for September start courses, applications typically open in February. Closing dates for applications are listed on the individual course webpage.
Start Date: September 2026.
Fees
Total Fees €3,600.
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Naturalist
Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.
Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.
Career Progression
Many of our Masters programmes are structured in a way that includes recognised entry and exit awards. This means that you can apply for part of Masters first and learn at your own pace or if you are unable to complete the full programme, you can still gain a recognised qualification. Our entry and exit awards typically include Postgraduate Certificate award and a Postgraduate Diploma award.
Duration
On-Campus Attendance
There are no mandatory on-campus lectures /workshops for this programme.
Study Hours
Students undertaking the M.Sc. programme are advised to allocate a minimum of 7 hours per week to complete each of the 3 x 10 ECT modules. This engagement will consist of a one-hour lecture (mix of live/asynchronous delivery) with an additional one hour per module allocated to engagement with a range of related resources, discussion forums, recommended reading, reflective exercises. Approximately five hours per week are recommended per 10 ECT module for independent study, additional reading, research and completion of module assignments.