Expand+Entry Requirements
English, Irish, Mathematics, One laboratory science subject, Two other recognised subjects

Leaving Certificate
You must obtain a minimum of Grade H5 in two subjects and a minimum of Grade O6/ H7 in the remaining four subject...

Hide-Entry Requirements
English, Irish, Mathematics, One laboratory science subject, Two other recognised subjects

Leaving Certificate
You must obtain a minimum of Grade H5 in two subjects and a minimum of Grade O6/ H7 in the remaining four subjects

Irish Leaving Certificate Minimum entry requirements

– To matriculate on the results of the Leaving Certificate, a student must present at least six recognised subjects selected according to course requirements (see Entry Requirements for each course) and must obtain at least Grade H5 in two subjects and Grade O6/H7 in the remaining four subjects.

– A student may normally combine the results of Leaving Certificate examinations obtained in different years for Matriculation Registration purposes. This concession applies to Matriculation Registration only; it does not apply to the calculation of points. However, it should be noted that students seeking to enter Medicine must meet the minimum entry requirements, including both Leaving Certificate points and matriculation, in the same sitting of the Leaving Certificate.

Acceptable subjects
All subjects of the current Leaving Certificate examination are accepted for Matriculation Registration purposes, with the following exceptions and qualifications:

i. Gaeilge – Bonnleibhéal (Irish – Foundation Level) will not be accepted for Matriculation Registration purposes.

ii. Mathematics Ordinary Alternative/ Foundation Level will be accepted for Matriculation Registration purposes, but not as a substitute for the subject Mathematics in courses for which the subject Mathematics is currently an entry requirement.

Leaving Certificate points are not awarded for either of these subjects.

Applicants presenting Leaving Certificate results from previous which include subjects no longer offered should email admissions@ ucd.ie for advice with regard to acceptability and any exclusions which may apply.

NB The Leaving Certificate Applied Programme is not an acceptable qualification for matriculation purposes.

Combination of subjects not permitted

– The subject “Physics and Chemistry” may not be presented with either “Physics” or “Chemistry”.

– “Agricultural Economics” may not be presented with “Economics”.

– “Classical Studies” may not be presented with “Latin” or “Greek”.

Laboratory science subjects

The following subjects in the Irish Leaving Certificate are recognised laboratory science subjects:

Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Chemistry (Joint), Physics.

For Science (DN200) only, Applied Mathematics or Geography may also be used as a laboratory science subject.

For Veterinary Nursing (DN310) only, Home Economics (Social & Scientific) may also be used as a laboratory science subject.

Notes
– Minimum points requirements can change from year to year as they are dependent on demand for each course, as well as the number of places available.

– For entry in 2017, 25 additional points will be awarded for a grade H6 or better in Leaving Certificate Mathematics, where that subject is one of the six subjects being counted for points purposes.

– Applicants’ performance in the Leaving Certificate examination is scored on their best results in no more than six individual subjects taken in the Leaving Certificate examination of any one year. This does not preclude an intending applicant from taking school-leaving examinations in two or more years. In this event, the choice of year for scoring purposes will be such as to ensure that each applicant is credited with the maximum possible score.

– It is still possible to achieve matriculation and subject requirements over more than one year. However, for admission to Medicine, applicants must achieve both the required subject grades and the points in the same sitting.

– The subjects and combinations of subjects not permitted for matriculation also apply when computing an applicant’s points score.

– The points scores for Medicine are adjusted when combined with HPAT – Ireland. Please see www.ucd.ie/myucd/hpat.

– For scoring of pre 2017 Leaving Certificate examinations, please see https://myucd. ucd.ie/admissions/cao-points-scoring.ezc

Expand+Applicants with appropriate FETAC (Level 5 or 6) qualifications and modules, with a minimum of distinction in five modules, can be admitted on a competitive basis to the following degree programmes at UCD:

– DN200 Science (BSc)
– DN201 Computer...

Hide-Applicants with appropriate FETAC (Level 5 or 6) qualifications and modules, with a minimum of distinction in five modules, can be admitted on a competitive basis to the following degree programmes at UCD:

– DN200 Science (BSc)
– DN201 Computer Science (BSc)
– DN250 Agricultural Science (BAgrSc)
– DN252 Dairy Business (BAgrSc)
– DN253 Agri-Environmental Sciences (BAgrSc)
– DN261 Food Science (BSc)
– DN271 Forestry (BAgrSc)
– DN272 Horticulture, Landscape and Sportsturf Management (BAgrSc)
– DN310 Veterinary Nursing (BSc)
– DN450 Nursing (General) (BSc)
– DN451 Nursing (Children’s & General) (BSc)
– DN452 Midwifery (BSc)
– DN453 Nursing (Mental Health) (BSc)
– DN500 BA – Joint Honours
– DN550 Social Science (BSocSc)
– DN650 Commerce (BComm)

In all cases, places in each of these programmes will be available on a competitive basis to qualified students. Please see www.ucd.ie/myucd/fetac for full details

Expand+Mature Applicants
What is a mature applicant? A mature applicant is anyone who is at least 23 years of age on 1 January of the proposed year of entry and whose school-leaving qualifications are insufficient for admission. For admission in September...

Hide-Mature Applicants
What is a mature applicant? A mature applicant is anyone who is at least 23 years of age on 1 January of the proposed year of entry and whose school-leaving qualifications are insufficient for admission. For admission in September 2017, your date of birth must be on or before 1 January 1994.

How do I apply?
For all our full-time, and some of our part-time, undergraduate degree programmes, mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO). The application can be completed online at www.cao.ie.

For Arts (DN500-DN541), Social Science (DN550), Law (DN600 and DN610), Agricultural Science (DN250-DN271) and Science programmes (DN200-DN230), separate registration for the MSAP-Ireland assessment is required.

Further information is available at http://msap-ie.acer.edu.au/

For the Medicine programme(DN400), separate registration for the HPAT-Ireland examination is required.

Further information is available at http://www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au/

What should be included with my application?
Mature applicants may need to provide supplementary information in addition to their CAO application form.

Any supplementary information required (e.g. examination results, CV, personal statement) must be sent to the CAO with the completed application form. Those applying online (via www.cao.ie) must ensure that they forward supplementary information to the CAO immediately after submitting the online application.

The CAO Handbook contains useful advice regarding the application process. Applicants should read it carefully, taking particular note of the sections pertaining to mature student applications.

When should I apply?
The opening date for CAO applications is early November 2016. For most of our programmes the closing date is 1 February 2017. Completed CAO application forms and all supplementary information should be returned to the CAO by this date. (There is a reduced application fee for applications made prior to 20 January.) Some courses may accept late applications up to 1 May 2017 but this is subject to the availability of places.

For dates of additional tests, please see pg 205 of the 2017 Undergraduate prospectus.

How are applications assessed?
All applications on the grounds of mature years received by the 1 February closing date are forwarded from the CAO to UCD. The relevant Programme Board then evaluates applications. Generally, the Programme Board is looking for evidence of academic ability, as well as interest in and aptitude for the programme for which you have applied. See www.ucd.ie/ maturestudents for details of what is taken into account for each programme.

NB Applications submitted by 1 February are processed and forwarded to the relevant Programme Boards by mid-March. Applicants must ensure that all supporting documentation is submitted to the CAO within seven days of application.

When will I know the outcome of my application?
If you’re offered a place you’ll receive an official offer from the CAO, usually in early July. However, we generally advise mature applicants of the decision in advance when the decisions are received from the Programme Board. Please note that, in accordance with CAO procedures, applicants will only be offered their highest successful preference so it is extremely important that you fill out your CAO choices in order of genuine preference.

The CAO offer will state the date by which you must accept the place. Places that have not been accepted by that date will be offered to other applicants at a later stage. Consequently, mature applicants may receive an offer in later rounds. If you plan to be away from home between July and September, make sure to access the CAO online to check the status of your application or arrange for someone to deal with your post for you.

Please Note
You must ensure that all relevant information is submitted to the CAO. There is no separate UCD application form, although some courses require a supplementary statement.

www.ucd.ie/maturestudents provides advice for personal statements. Your documents must arrive in the CAO within seven days of the submission of the online application.

Contact us with your queries
UCD Registry - Admissions is available to help with the application process. You can email your query to mature.students@ucd.ie. We also have dedicated time set aside for calls from mature applicants from October to April.

Please call Emma Donnelly at 01 716 1536 between the following hours: Mon - Fri 10:00 - 12:00 and 14:00 - 16:00

Expand+Early online application (discounted): Fee €25 Closing Date: 20th January 2017 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €40 Closing Date: 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €50 Closing Date: 1st May 2...

Hide-Early online application (discounted): Fee €25 Closing Date: 20th January 2017 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €40 Closing Date: 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €50 Closing Date: 1st May 2017 at 5:15 pm

Change of Mind: Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1st July 2017 5:15 pm

Exceptional online late application - see page 14 of the 2017 CAO Handbook: Fee €50 Closing Date: 22nd July 2017 at 5:15pm

You should avoid submitting an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all fees are non-refundable.

LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5:15pm on 1st February 2017 and will be accepted up to 5:15pm on 1st May 2017, subject to the restricitions listed on page 3 of the 2017 CAO Handbook.

Late Applications (Exception to Timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22nd of July at 5:15pm applies only to applicants who are currently undergraduate students in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system.

If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.

Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.

Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Trinity College Dublin and the University of Limerick have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these three HEIs, you should apply through CAO.

Refer to page 15 of the 2017 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.

Restricted-category Applicants
Mature applicants – most HEIs will require mature applicants, who wish to be assessed on mature grounds, to have applied to CAO by 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm. (This restriction does not apply if the applicant wishes to be considered on the basis of school leaving qualifications only.) For more information about applying to CAO on the basis of mature years go to www.cao.ie/mature.

Applying for the HEAR and/or DARE schemes – to be considered for the HEAR and/or DARE schemes applicants must have registered on the CAO system by 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm and must have completed the HEAR/DARE application form by 1st March 2017 at 5:15pm – supporting documents must be sent to CAO offices before 1st April 2017 at 5:15pm.

Expand+Why is this course for me?
This degree focuses on sustainable management of natural resources (plants, animals, air, soils and water) within the context of agriculture and other land-based industries, and protection of the rural environment for futu...

Hide-Why is this course for me?
This degree focuses on sustainable management of natural resources (plants, animals, air, soils and water) within the context of agriculture and other land-based industries, and protection of the rural environment for future generations. This specialist applied science degree will equip you for a career at the interface between production agriculture and environmental protection, to give you:
– An understanding of rural environmental issues in Ireland, the EU and worldwide
– A detailed knowledge of sustainable agriculture and land management practice
– The skills to contribute in farming and land-use industries, as either a scientist, planner or policymaker
– First-hand experience of agri-environmental research as a basis for further studies – Interpersonal and professional skills required in a wide range of career paths.

Students spend an average of 40 hours per week attending lectures, tutorials and laboratory-based practical classes, and in undertaking independent study.

Expand+What will I study?
First Year
Focuses on teaching basic sciences relevant to agriculture (especially biology and chemistry) and provides an introduction
to rural land-use systems and environmental issues.

Second Year
Focuses on the principles ...

Hide-What will I study?
First Year
Focuses on teaching basic sciences relevant to agriculture (especially biology and chemistry) and provides an introduction
to rural land-use systems and environmental issues.

Second Year
Focuses on the principles of crop and animal production and applied agri-environmental sciences. Modules include:
Ecology
Plant Biology
Soil Science
Applied Zoology
Microbiology
Genetics
Biotechnology

On completion of second year, you have the opportunity to develop real-world scientific field skills through participation in a weeklong residential field course in the Burren, Co. Clare.

Third & Fourth Year
Focuses on the environmental impacts of agriculture while learning practical field and lab-based skills in landscape analysis using GIS, as well as becoming familiar with national and international policies to protect rural environments. In fourth year, you complete a supervised research project and produce a thesis. This provides an opportunity to study a topic of your own choice more deeply, and gain practical experience of research and scientific writing.

Expand+Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
Many AES graduates follow career paths as environmental consultants. Others work in State agencies that require both agricultural and environmental management skills, including:
- Department of Agriculture, F...

Hide-Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
Many AES graduates follow career paths as environmental consultants. Others work in State agencies that require both agricultural and environmental management skills, including:
- Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine
- Teagasc
- Environmental Protection Agency
- National Parks & Wildlife Service
- Local authorities

A high proportion of AES graduates go on to further studies at postgraduate level.

Professional Work Experience (PWE) & International Study Opportunities
A five-month period of structured PWE takes place in third year. You can also elect to study abroad for one semester, at universities including:
- University of California, USA
- University of Queensland, Australia
- Purdue University, USA