MSc(Agr) Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
The MSc in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development equips graduates with leadership and influence skills for careers in the field. It emphasizes collaborative learning and critical thinking through group projects, presentations, and field trips. Graduates are prepared for roles in government, development agencies, and NGOs, focusing on sustainable agriculture and community development.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The MSc Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development is a graduate-level program designed to address contemporary and future transformations in agriculture and rural development. It takes a place-based approach to rural change and rural futures, examining how agriculture can contribute to sustainable development. The program explores the changing landscape of farming and rural areas, addressing challenges and opportunities for communities and governments.
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 program fosters individual and group-based learning activities, developing students' skills in inquiry, critical thinking, self-directed learning, and collaboration. It utilizes a variety of teaching and learning approaches, including:
- Group project work
- Student presentations
- Individual assignments
- Field trips
- Case study work
Teaching:
The program emphasizes a learning environment that fosters individual and group-based activities, developing students' skills in inquiry, critical thinking, self-directed learning, and collaboration. It utilizes a variety of teaching and learning approaches, including:
- Group project work
- Student presentations
- Individual assignments
- Field trips
- Case study work
Careers:
Graduates from this program are equipped with the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in the broad arena of sustainable agriculture and rural development, both in Ireland and 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 is offered on both a full-time and part-time basis, providing flexibility for students. It is aimed at individuals from a range of disciplinary backgrounds, including humanities, social sciences, life sciences, and business, who are interested in pursuing careers in rural and community development.
MSc(Agr) Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development (X376) Full Time EU fee per year - € 10174.5 nonEU fee per year - € 29100 MSc(Agr) Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development (X377) Part Time EU Year 1 - € 5140 nonEU Year 1 - € 14550 EU Year 2 - € 5140 aanonEU Year 2 - € 14110 aa Second Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2024 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2023/24
Entry Requirements:
- Academic Requirements: Applicants must hold a minimum of a second class honours degree, or international equivalent, in a range of subject areas.
- Disciplinary Background: Applications are welcome from people 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.
- Exceptions: Exceptions may be made for applicants who do not hold the minimum educational requirement if they can demonstrate substantial relevant professional or voluntary experience.
- EU Home Students: Yes, full-time and part-time options are suitable for EU home students.
- International (Non-EEA) Students: Yes, full-time option is suitable for international (Non-EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Part-time option is not suitable for international (Non-EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- English Language Proficiency: Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
- UCD Pathway Programs: Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes.
Huge and always expanding. Lots of course options and the professors care a lot about what they teach. Huge amount of students and clubs so there is something for everyone.
Finished my Masters in Food Safety here in 2019. Quality of education is pretty good. Facilities are on point. One of the better universities in Ireland. A lot of extra curricular activities organised all round the year. No racism or any other issue as per my experience. Teaching staff is quite knowledgeable. I loved my time there. 10/10
