GradDip Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development

Program Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) is a 60-credit program at UCD that prepares graduates for leadership roles in agricultural and rural development settings. The program emphasizes analytical, communication, and entrepreneurship skills, and provides an understanding of the theory, policy, and practice of rural development, with a focus on sustainable agriculture. Graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills for careers in both the public and private sectors, including government, NGOs, and international development organizations.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) at UCD is a 60-credit program designed to address the evolving needs of agriculture and rural development. It emphasizes core values rooted in agricultural change while responding to societal demands for safe and ethically produced food, a healthier environment, and sustainable and affordable energy. The program is relevant to both Ireland, industrialized countries, and the developing world.

Objectives:

The program aims to prepare graduates for leadership, advocacy, and influence in local, national, and international development settings. This is achieved by:

• Strengthening analytical, communication, and entrepreneurship skills.
• Providing an enhanced understanding of the theory, policy, and practice of rural development.

Program Description:

The learning environment fosters individual and group-based activities, promoting inquiry, critical thinking, self-directed, and collaborative learning. The program utilizes a variety of teaching and learning approaches, including:

• Group project work
• Student presentations
• Individual assignments
• Field trips
• Case study work
Graduates are awarded a 60-credit Graduate Diploma, NFQ Level 9. The modules in this course are part of a more extensive graduate program in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development. Students who complete the Graduate Diploma can build upon it to obtain a Masters Degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development.

Teaching:

The program emphasizes a variety of teaching and learning approaches, including:

• Group project work
• Student presentations
• Individual assignments
• Field trips
• Case study work

Careers:

Graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge to develop careers in the broad arena of sustainable agriculture and rural development in Ireland or internationally, in both the public and private sectors.

Typical employment areas include:

• Government
• Agricultural and rural development agencies
• Local development agencies
• NGOs involved in rural development
• Donor agencies
• International development organizations

Graduate Roles:

• Development Managers
• Advisors
• Consultants
• Public servants
• Researchers

Other:

The program welcomes applicants from a broad range of disciplinary backgrounds, including humanities, sciences, and business, who are interested in pursuing careers in the broad arena of rural and community development. The program's vision and values statement emphasizes equipping students with the skills and knowledge base to develop careers in rural and community development. The goal is to prepare graduates for roles in local, national, and international development settings. The program outcomes include:

• Demonstrating enhanced problem-solving skills for application to issues in agriculture and rural development.
• Formulating and evaluating potential solutions.
• Planning and implementing strategic communications campaigns in SARD settings.
• Understanding and interpreting strategies applied in achieving the objectives of SARD in Irish, EU, and internationally.
• Understanding the nature and practice of rural diversification.
• Understanding the context within which sustainable agriculture and rural development related policies are devised.
• Understanding the key principles and practices that make agriculture sustainable.

GradDip Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development (X449) Full Time EU fee per year - € 6630 nonEU fee per year - € 19400 GradDip Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development (X450) Part Time EU Year 1 - € 3550 nonEU Year 1 - € 9700 EU Year 2 - € 3550 aanonEU Year 2 - € 9410 Second Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2024 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2023/24