Agricultural Science
Our focus at the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science is to develop the next generation of leaders for the agri-good sector. Our graduates have an excellent record of obtaining challenging and fulfilling employment in a variety of areas including forestry, horticulture, agri-business, food science and human nutrition.
| 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
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Cert Subject Entry Requirements
O6/H7 in English, Irish, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject and two other recognised subjects
Food Business with Chinese Studies
Please Note:
Students interested in progressing to the Food Business with Chinese Studies degree option must undertake three Chinese language modules by the end of year one.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
• To meet minimum entry requirements (matriculation) 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 to meet minimum entry requirements. This concession applies to minimum entry requirements 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 with the following exceptions and qualifications:
1. Gaeilge – Bonnleibhéal (Irish – Foundation Level) will not be accepted for Matriculation Registration purposes.
2. 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 Mathematics is an entry requirement. Leaving Certificate points are not awarded for either of these subjects.
Applicants presenting Leaving Certificate results from previous years, which include subjects no longer offered, should contact www.ucd.ie/askus for advice with regard to acceptability and any exclusions that may apply.
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, Geography or Computer Science may also be used as a laboratory science subject.
Assessment of applications
Admission to most undergraduate courses is extremely competitive. Entry is based on the points system for students presenting Irish Leaving Certificate examinations.
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.
• 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.myucd.ie/medicineaddreq
• Note: If you were born outside the Republic of Ireland, you do not require Irish as a subject for entry to UCD. However, you may present Irish as a subject for matriculation to fulfil the requirement to present a language other than English
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Grade Points
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
QQI FET Applicants General Information
More than half of UCD undergraduate courses from a broad range of courses accept applicants on a competitive basis with appropriate QQI-FET (Level 5 or 6) qualifications and modules. The minimum requirement is five distinctions in appropriate QQI-FET (Level 5 or 6) qualifications including components specified for the relevant programme.
For more information to to the 'QQI FET Applicants Information' Link below.
Careers / Further progression
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
Our graduates have an excellent record in obtaining challenging and fulfilling employment in a variety of sectors in food, agriculture, forestry, horticulture, health, business and services. You will develop professional skills for enterprise management, technical service and consultancy, management, research, education, marketing, communications and primary production of food, non-food (amenity plants) and fibre products.
You can also pursue a wide range of graduate studies by research or examination (Masters and PhD).
Further information
Mature Applicants
UCD has a mature entry pathway for 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 2025, your date of birth must be on or before 1 January, 2002.
How do I apply?
For all full-time and some part-time undergraduate degree courses, mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO). The application can be completed online at www.cao.ie. For some courses you must also register for a specific test (HPAT and NMBI Nursing/ Midwifery Assessment test) for details of what is required for each course. For most of our courses, the closing date for application is 1 February 2025. Late applications up to 1 May are not normally considered on grounds of mature years - any exceptions are highlighted on the mature student website.
What information should I provide?
You must complete the mature section on the CAO form fully as this forms a large part of the assessment of your application. You must send supporting documents, such as copies of qualifications to CAO as soon as your application is complete. If you wish you can also send an additional statement of interest or CV. Visit the website below for further information on how to apply and how your application will be assessed.
For more information: www.ucd.ie/maturestudents
Other School Leaving Examinations
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Open Learning Entry Route
See www.ucd.ie/openlearning
University Access
See www.myucd.ie/universityaccess
Entry 2025
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2025 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2025 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2025 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2025 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2025 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2025 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 2025. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2025, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2025 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2025 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 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 2025 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
Our focus at the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science is to develop the next generation of leaders for the agri-good sector. Our graduates have an excellent record of obtaining challenging and fulfilling employment in a variety of areas including forestry, horticulture, agri-business, food science and human nutrition. Our programmes cover a wide range of interesting subject areas offering a broad choice of lifestyle and career paths. Graduates from the School have gone on to hold leadership positions as diverse as EU Commissioner and Member of the European Parliament (MEP), Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bord Bia, Director of Teagasc, Chief Inspector at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; CEO of the Irish Agri-Food Regulator; CEO of global agri-food companies.
Studying Agricultural Science (DN250)
The UCD Agricultural Science programme offers 11 unique areas of specialisation. All have a similar first year, designed to give you a strong foundation in the core sciences, mathematics and economics for the rest of your studies. Areas of specialisation include:
• Agri-Environmental Sciences • Agricultural Systems Technology • Animal & Crop Production • Animal Science • Animal Science – Equine • Crop Science • Dairy Business • Food & Agribusiness Management • Food Business with Chinese Studies • Forestry • Horticulture
Overall, there are approximately 250 places in Agricultural Science DN250. If you are interested in studying Agricultural Science but are not certain of the area which you would like to specialise in, you can select the ‘No Preference (NPF)’ option on your CAO form. Then, during your first year at UCD, you can choose your area of specialisation. Once you receive an offer on the Agricultural Science programme (DN250) you will be guaranteed a place in any of the 11 specialisations from second year. Alternatively, if you know which of the 11 programmes you would like to study in, you can select this on your CAO application.
During first year, students will also have an opportunity to take one or more introductory modules from any of our courses, providing you with an insight into the subsequent stages of each available degree. This is particularly beneficial for students who are interested in Agricultural Science but are not yet clear on their area of specialisation.
Studying UCD Agricultural Science
Year 1 - Engage with the principles
Animal Biology and Evolution
Introduction to Chemistry
Mathematics for Agriculture
Physics for Agricultural Science
Cell and Plant Biology
Introduction to Biomolecules
Information Skills
Introduction to Agricultural Economics and Business
Years 2, 3 & 4 - Follow your pathway*
Agri-Environmental Sciences
Agricultural Systems Technology
Animal & Crop Production
Animal Science
Animal Science – Equine
Crop Science
Dairy Business
Food & Agribusiness Management
Food Business with Chinese Studies
Forestry
Horticulture
*Pathway models are available for each course at www.ucd.ie/agfood
Professional Work Experience (PWE)
Optional Study Abroad
Subject Specific Modules
UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science
www.myucd.ie/aes
Professor Helen Sheridan
helen.sheridan@ucd.ie
www.myucd.ie/agst
Dr Sharon O’Rourke
sharon.orourke@ucd.ie
www.myucd.ie/acp
Professor Alan Kelly
alan.kelly@ucd.ie
www.myucd.ie/animal-science
Professor Tommy Boland
tommy.boland@ucd.ie
www.myucd.ie/ase
Dr. Barbara Murphy
barbara.murphy@ucd.ie
www.myucd.ie/crop-science
Professor Kevin McDonnell
kevin.mcdonnell@ucd.ie
www.myucd.ie/dairy-business
Professor Karina Pierce
karina.pierce@ucd.ie
www.myucd.ie/fabm
Dr David Stead
david.stead@ucd.ie
www.myucd.ie/fbwcs
Professor Alex Evans
alex.evans@ucd.ie
www.myucd.ie/forestry
Marie Doyle
mdoyle@ucd.ie
www.myucd.ie/horticulture
Dr Caroline Elliott-Kingston
caroline.elliottkingston@ucd.ie