Agriculture
Drive the advancement of agriculture to a sustainable future. The aim of this four-year Honours Degree course is to produce graduates with knowledge, skills and competencies to respond effectively to current and future developments in Agriculture and the Agri-Food Industry. This is a common entry B.Sc. (Hons) in Agriculture programme, with students specialising in third year to graduate with either a BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Agriculture or Agri-Food Production.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Dundalk Institute of Technology |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Dundalk Institute of Technology | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 Years
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Minimum Entry Requirements
Six Grades at O6 or H7 in Leaving Certificate
INCLUDING at least two H5 Grades
AND Mathematics Grade O6 or H7
AND English or Irish Grade O6 or O7
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
A bonus of 25 points will be allocated to students who achieve a grade H6 or above in higher level mathematics in the Irish Leaving Certificate examination. This means that the maximum cumulative Leaving Certificate points total is 625. Bonus points will be awarded irrespective of the year in which the examinations were taken.
The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where the higher level mathematics subject (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for point’s purposes. Consequently, if higher level mathematics (cumulative points score) is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score.
Foundation Level Mathematics
Foundation level mathematics will be accepted as a passing subject for Level 7 courses where Leaving Certificate Mathematics is not a specific subject requirement.
Foundation Level Mathematics does not meet the entry requirements for Level 8 courses.
The minimum Level 7 entry requirement in Mathematics is as follows:
F2 at Foundation Level
Or a O6 at Ordinary Level
Or a H7 at Higher Level
Where a grade of F2 or higher is achieved and Foundation Level Mathematics is acceptable for entry to a specific course, the following points scoring system will be used:
Grade Points
F1 20
F2 12
Maths Entry Exam
We have now introduced a Maths Entrance Examination to those CAO applicants who did meet the basic maths entry requirement but not the additional Maths Entry Requirements for the Level 8 BEng Hons) in Engineering (Common Entry), BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering, BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering, BEng (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and the BSc (Hons) in Computing in Games Development. The exam aims to provide eligible applicants with a second chance to qualify for an offer. The exam is usually held at the end of August (after results have been issued) and applicants must pre-register to take the exam.
To find out more information about the Maths Entry Exam please visit: dkit.ie/maths-entry-exam
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Holders of the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) apply in the normal way through the CAO system. Points are awarded on the same basis as per the leaving certificate. The LCVP subject will be considered as a passing subject provided the student achieves at least a pass grade. This will apply to entry for honours degree (NFQ Level 8), and Ordinary Degree (NFQ Level 7).
The following points scoring system will be used
Grade Points
Pass 28
Merit 46
Distinction 66
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
The Leaving Certificate Applied Programme (LCAP) subjects do not meet the minimum entry requirements for admission to academic courses and are not considered as passing subjects. Holders of the LCAP may wish to undertake a QQI-FET course in order to gain eligibility for entry to third-level courses in DkIT
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Applicants must have obtained a full QQI-FET Level 5/6 major award with a minimum credit value of 120. A Component Award will not suffice.
A full QQI-FET major award normally contains 8 components. A full award may be accumulated over a number of years. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to apply to QQI-FET for a major award prior to release of QQI-FET results.
The minimum entry requirement for graduates of QQI-FET (Level 5 and 6) awards to:
Ab-initio Ordinary Degree (NQAI Level 7) courses (with the exception of Veterinary Nursing) is a full QQI-FET (Level 5 or 6) award, plus one Distinction or two Merits;
Ab-initio Honours Degree (NQAI Level 8) courses (with the exception of nursing & midwifery and Level 8 Engineering courses) is a full QQI-FET (Level 5 or 6) award including a Distinction grade in at least three modules.
In these cases, a general specific requirement for Mathematics or a language will not apply. Notwithstanding the minimum entry requirements listed above, relevant cognate courses and / or specific pre-requisite QQI-FET modules may be required for some courses. Details are available from the Admissions Office or the ‘QQI-FET Information’ section of the CAO website www.cao.ie.
QQI-FET has introduced a new awards system known as the Common Awards System, or CAS. All QQI-FET awards are part of CAS since 2014.
Common Awards System (CAS) Scoring
This scoring scheme only applies where all the requirements for the major award are met, i.e. when the named component awards specified have been achieved to a minimum of 120 credits.
Each component is given a score based on the credit value of the component and the weighting of the grade achieved.
Most component awards have a credit value of 15 (the possible component credit values are 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30).
The following weightings will apply to the grades achieved:
Pass 1
Merit 2
Distinction 3
To calculate a component score, multiply the credit value of the component by the weighting for the grade achieved. Add all of the component scores up to a cumulative credit value of 120. When adding up these scores begin with distinctions, then merits, then passes. Finally, multiply the total by 13 and divide by 12 to give the overall score (maximum 390).* Further information and examples of the scoring scheme are available on the ‘QQI-FET Information’ section of the CAO website (www.cao.ie)
Careers / Further progression
Career Opportunities
Future Careers:
⊲ Postgraduate Research positions
⊲ Agricultural Advisor with consultancy or state body
⊲ A commercial Farmer or Farm Manager
⊲ Technical Sales Role
⊲ Analytical or Research Scientist in the Agri-Environmental Management Sector
⊲ Quality Manager or Production Supervisor in the Food Industry
⊲ Manufacturing - Food or Beverages
⊲ Auditors or Inspectors in the Agri-Food sector
⊲ Rural entrepreneurs (e.g., artisan food products, etc.)
⊲ Production Supervisors and Analysts in the Food Processing Sector
⊲ Food Product Development Scientists.
Education Progression
Graduates may progress onto the MSc / Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Biotechnology.
Further information
Who is a Mature Applicant?
Any applicant 23 years of age or over on 1st January in the year of entry to first year of a full-time course is considered to be a mature applicant. Dundalk Institute of Technology actively encourages applications on mature grounds and we reserve a minimum of 20% of places on all courses for applicants who access the programme via the mature entry route. Mature students register on all programmes and contribute positively to academic and campus life.
In recent years, mature students have represented approximately 15% of all first year entrants. The Student Learning and Development Centre provides a range of learning supports designed to assist mature students reach their full potential.
How do I decide on a course?
It is important that you make an informed choice. Our Undergraduate Handbook provides contact details of academic staff in each department. You should make contact with the relevant person – ideally, arrange a mutually convenient time to discuss. It is important to make sure that the course is in line with your career plans and that you are academically prepared for and suited to that particular area of study. Talking with academic staff on the course is also an opportunity for you to find out the level of demand for certain courses (among mature applicants) and to find out what the minimum criteria may be.
When do I have to apply?
To be considered as a mature applicant, you must apply to the CAO by 1st February. If the mature student quota is not filled with 1st February applicants, the decision may be taken to assess late applications to the CAO (i.e. those who apply to the CAO after 1st February). However, there is no guarantee that late applications will be assessed on mature grounds as the quota on each course may
be filled with 1st February applicants.
For further information go to dkit.ie/mature
Have a question about applying as a mature student?
Contact Eileen Lynch Access Officer
T +353 (0)42 937 0236
E access@dkit.ie
W dkit.ie/maturestudents
https://www.dkit.ie/admissions/how-to-apply/cao-first-year-entry.html
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Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 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 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 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. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
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, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University 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 five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
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 2024 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
What is Agriculture?
Agriculture is one of the Ireland’s most vital and influential industries and is a key driver of the Irish economy. There is an ever-increasing demand for forward-thinking, innovative, and qualified people within the industry to meet the ongoing challenges and opportunities across all aspects of agriculture; from global production, agricultural technology, sustainable agriculture, and development, applied food processing and new policy developments.
Course Description
This collaborative course is delivered jointly with Teagasc, Ballyhaise Agricultural College and DkIT, with students attending both campuses weekly. In Year 1 and 2, students will cover a wide range of common agriculture topics including crop and livestock production, precision farming, food science and farm business planning, analysis, and legal issues. In the final 2 years of this course, students will specialise by choosing their preferred stream of study between Sustainable Agriculture and Agri-Food Production.
Sustainable Agriculture:
Students will develop a deep understanding of modern agricultural science with a strong focus on food production and processing, quality assurance and safety, business and economic management and environmental science. This course will specifically develop skills and knowledge in the areas of animal and crop production, animal husbandry, genetics and biosecurity, health and safety, agricultural mechanisation, financial and business management, entrepreneurship and innovation, environmental protection and the production and processing of safe, quality-assured food.
Agri-Food Production:
Students will focus on the core principles of agri-food production, with a solid foundation in business and economic management, environmental science, food production and processing, agricultural mechanisation, quality assurance and health & safety.
Year 1 and Year 2 are split equally between DkIT and Ballyhaise Agricultural College with a free bus provided for students from Ballyhaise to DkIT. 1st and 2nd year students are strongly advised to base themselves in the vicinity of Ballyhaise College. Year 3 and Year 4 mainly in DkIT with some classes in Ballyhaise Agricultural College.
What will I study?
Year 1
Animal and Crop Science | Agricultural Mechanisation and Precision Farming | Economics and Farm Records | Physics through PBL and Maths | Biological and Chemical Sciences | Farm Facilities and Machinery | Farm Management and Accounting | Microbiological and Environmental Sciences | ICT Applications and Research Skills
Year 2
Biochemistry and Animal Nutrition | Quality Assurance | Grassland and Crop Production | Statistical Methods for Agriculture | Farm Business Planning, Analysis and Legal Issues | Dairy Production | Food Science | Health and Safety and Farm Placement | Beef and Sheep Production
Year 3 - Sustainable Agriculture Stream
Soil Science | Financial Management Systems | Research Methods and GIS | Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Teamworking | Processing & Farm Quality Management | Food Processing, Analysis & Production Management Pigs and Poultry Production | Agriculture in the Environment | Agricultural Production & Management Systems | Internship
Year 3 - Agri-Food Production Stream
Soil Science | Financial Management Systems | Research Methods and GIS | Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Teamworking | Processing & Farm Quality Management | Food Processing, Analysis & Production Management | Pigs and Poultry Production | Agricultural Production & Management Systems | Process Engineering and Technology | Agri-Food Internship
Year 4 - Sustainable Agriculture Stream
Environmental Management in the Agri-Food Sector | Agricultural Policy and Professional Practice | Agri-Science Project | Herd Health and Biosecurity | Value Added Agri-Food Product | Sustainable Farm Production Systems | Sustainable Rural Development | Genetics & Genomics in Agriculture | Lean: Principles & Methodologies
Year 4 - Agri-Food Production Stream
Food Analysis | Environmental Management in the Agri-Food Sector | Applied Food Processing | Agri-Food Production Project | Agri-Food Product Innovation | Lean: Principles & Methodologies | Food Chain Integrity and Logistics | Agri-Food Biotechnology | Food Packaging and Preservation
* All module titles are subject to change and are for indicative purposes only. The provision of electives each year is subject to numbers enrolling on each elective and available resources.
Work Placement
There are two work placements in Year 2 and 3 of both streams of this course.
⊲ Year 2 placement is usually on a Host Farm, and it runs for 8 weeks.
⊲ Year 3 placement runs for 12 weeks and can be in an agri-food industry or large farming enterprise, this work placement can be completed in Ireland or overseas including New Zealand, the US, or Europe.
Graduates will meet the requirements of a qualified farmer for the purposes of all Revenue and Department of Agriculture schemes, traditionally known as a ‘Green Cert’ qualification.
Professional Accreditations
On completion of either of these streams, students will also meet the requirements of a qualified farmer for the purposes of all Revenue and Department of Agriculture schemes, traditionally known as a ‘Green Cert’ qualification.
Joseph Lynch
E Joseph.Lynch@dkit.ie