BAgrSc (Hons) in Agricultural Science
Overview
Ireland’s agri-food sector is one of the most important and innovative industries in the country – from sustainable farming and animal health to food safety, crop science and environmental protection. This tertiary degree route commences with a one-year, QQI-accredited Level 5 course (Laboratory Techniques) at Dunboyne College, providing the scientific knowledge and practical laboratory skills required to progress to the Level 8 Bachelor of Agricultural Science (BAgrSc Hons) degree at University College Dublin (UCD).
Provider Location and Structure
Year 1 is located in Dunboyne College
Years 2-5 are located in University College Dublin (UCD)
Course Content - For All Years
Year 1: At Dunboyne College students will complete the Laboratory Techniques QQI accredited Level 5 award (5M3807) which encompasses modules designed to build strong scientific knowledge and hands-on laboratory skills.
- Animal Anatomy & Physiology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Laboratory Skills
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Communications
- Work Experience
On entering the UCD BAgrSc programme students take a number of core science and mathematics modules as well as elective modules aligned with their particular interests.
Students do not need to make their final selection of a degree specialisation until the latter part of year 2 (Stage 1) in UCD.
Year 2 (UCD BAgrSc Stage 1) – 60 ECTS credits
This year provides a strong foundation in the core sciences, maths and economics needed for the rest of the degree.
First year core subjects include:
- Animal Biology & Evolution
- Cell & Plant Biology
- Physics
- Mathematics for Agriculture
- Introductory Chemistry
- Agricultural Economics & Business
- Information Skills
- Agricultural Science Optional Modules.
Years 3-5 (UCD BAgrSc Stages 2-4) – 180 ECTS credits
In years 3-5 in UCD students of BAgrSc will study the modules from their chosen area of specialisation.
There are eleven different degree programme specialisations* to choose from:
- Agri-Environmental Sciences
- Agricultural Systems Technology
- Animal & Crop Production
- Animal Science – Equine
- Animal Science
- Crop Science
- Dairy Business
- Food & Agribusiness Management
- Food Business with Chinese Studies
- Forestry
- Horticulture
*View modules for Agricultural Science Specialisations Here
Accreditation and Embedded Awards
After successfully completing Year 1 – QQI 5M3807 Laboratory Techniques
After successfully completing Year 3 – UCD Minor Award of a Level 7 University Diploma in Science (Agriculture) for students who exit the programme having completed 120 credits by the end of Year 3
After successfully completing Year 5 – UCD B.Agr.Sc. (Hons) in Agricultural Science
Planned intake (Number of places)
12 Places
Entry Requirements and Eligibility
To apply for this tertiary degree route, applicants must:
- Be 17 or older by 31 December of the entry year.
- Have completed the Leaving Certificate, LCVP, Leaving Certificate Applied or a QQI Level 4 Major Award.
- Submit a 100–200-word personal statement.
- Attend an interview.
- Provide English language proficiency (B2 CEFR) if English is not your first language.
- If you are a non EU/EEA applicant, you must already be resident in Ireland with Stamp 4 or above.
- To qualify for EU and ‘free fees’ in UCD, you must meet specific previous and current residency requirements along with nationality requirements, details of which are available at Eu Fees Assessment and Free Fees
Progression to BAgrSc in UCD
To be considered for progression from this course students must:
- Complete the full QQI Level 5 Laboratory Techniques award (5M3807)
- Achieve a minimum of 5 Distinctions, three of which must be in the following modules:
- Mathematics (5N1833 or equivalent)
- Two science modules: Biology (5N2746), Chemistry (5N2747) or Physics (5N1460)
Onward Pathways
Graduates from the BAgrSc course enjoy excellent career prospects across a wide range of sectors, including food, agriculture, forestry, horticulture, health, business and environmental services.
Special Features
Work Placements and Site Visits
As part of the level 5 course in Dunboyne College, you will complete a mandatory work experience placement in an agricultural, environmental or food science setting. This may include time spent on working farms, animal enterprises, food production facilities, laboratories or with agri-tech companies, giving students hands on insight into how modern agriculture operates. Throughout the year, you will also take part in site visits to active farms and industry partners, where you will observe real world applications of animal science, crop management, sustainability practices and emerging agri-tech systems. These experiences help students connect classroom learning with the technologies, challenges, and innovations shaping Ireland’s agri-food sector today.
Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence (AMTCE)
Students on this course will gain exposure through access to the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence (AMTCE) to the cutting-edge technologies transforming modern agriculture and food manufacture processing. Students will develop knowledge and skills in automation, data driven systems, instrumentation and emerging agri-tech tools such as lidar scanners, drones and robots, used across Ireland’s agri-food sector. This connection helps students understand how innovations such as precision farming, smart sensors and bioprocessing are shaping the future of sustainable agriculture — giving them a real advantage as they progress into agricultural science, environmental science or food related degree pathways,
Contact Details
Further information about this programme is available by contacting the:
- Dunboyne College of FET www.dunboynecollege.ie for details of the application process.
- Angela Cahill (Tertiary Manager) at nto@lmetb.ie
