Agricultural Science
UCC has a long-standing reputation of excellence in Dairy and Food Science. Through collaboration with Teagasc and well-established links with the agri-food industry, Agricultural Science at UCC is specially tailored to attract those with a particular passion for dairying, who are ambitious, and committed to advancing their career in dairy farming or the wider dairy/agri-food sector.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years, full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements
At Least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H4 in one subject, minimum grade H5 in one subject and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.
Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
Maths O6/H7 or H4*
Lab Science O6/H7 or H4*
The following are considered Lab Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry and Agricultural Science.
Note
H4 in either a Lab Science subject, Maths or Applied Maths or Computer Science*
* If the H4 is in Maths, Applied Maths or Computer Science an 06/H7 in a Lab Science subject is also required.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme LCVP
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Graduate Study Opportunities
There are many options for further study (MSc and PhD) in Science or Agriculture. It is also possible to progress into graduate programmes, such as Graduate Entry Veterinary Medicine.
Career Opportunities
Students will be highly employable in the agri-food sector on completion of this programme. The knowledge, experience and professional development gained from this degree will make you stand out to prospective employers. It will provide you with vast employment opportunity both nationally and internationally.
Sample career opportunities include but not limited to leading roles within: Teagasc, DAFM, ICBF, financial institutions, dairy/food processing companies, agri-merchants, pharma giants, AI industry, enterprise management, private consultancy, education, marketing, communications, journalism etc.
Further information
September 2026
Approximate Available Places 4
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Approximate Available Places Overall 30
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Course Outline
At UCC we guarantee a comprehensive agricultural education; building from a foundation of fundamental sciences, developing core knowledge, instilling best practice applications using the very latest tools and technologies, and interrogating the business that is dairying. This course has been developed to ensure you as a highly-skilled and motivated graduate, are uniquely positioned to capitalise on the vast employment opportunities that await.
Two formative uniquely tailored Work Placement opportunities (dairy farm and industry) will serve to deepen your knowledge and forge your individual professional development. You will experience and implement best practices and be mentored by the very best.
Practicals, field trips, commercial farm visits, evening seminars and guest lecturers will enhance both your learning and overall experience.
Work placement forms a significant component of this degree programme. These work placements form the basis of a final year project (AG4001), representing assessment based on real-world application, challenging and consolidating your learning from the course.
Year 1 Modules
AG1001 Introduction to Agriculture (10 credits)
BC1001 Introduction to Biochemistry and the Biological Basis of Disease (5 credits)
BL1002 Cells, Biomolecules, Genetics and Evolution (5 credits)
BL1004 Physiology and Structure of Plants and Animals (5 credits)
CM1202 Fundamentals of Modern Chemistry for Agricultural Sciences (10 credits)
FE1019 Introduction to Food and Agricultural Economics (5 credits)
FE1030 Introduction to International Food Policy (5 credits)
FS2005 Principles of Food Science & Technology (5 credits)
MA1001 Calculus for Science Part I (5 credits)
PY1109 Physics for Agriculture & Environmental Science (5 credits)
Professor Frank Buckley
frank.buckley@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 4650
https://www.ucc.ie/en/bees/
Philomena Fogarty
p.fogarty@ucc.ie