Agricultural Extension & Innovation

The MSc Agricultural Extension and Innovation is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time programme based in UCD and is focused on meeting the needs of those who are interested in developing careers in advisory, consultancy or education services in the public, private or non-governmental sector.



This MSc will equip graduates with the skills and knowledge to understand more about the processes of learning that underpin change and development and to be effective in building the capacity of farmers to adopt new practices and technologies.



A two-year part-time distance learning taught Masters option is also available for those working in the agri-food sector.



Students will develop competencies in: analysis of the context of agricultural change; design and development of appropriate advisory strategies to support agricultural development; how to support adult learning and behaviour change and research and analytical skills to identify and support worthwhile innovations.



The programme emphasises and values group work, problem solving and creative thinking and encourages students to be active, self-directed and reflective learners. Assignments are based on real life case studies that are complex and unpredictable, reflecting the norms of practice in advisory and education services.



Placement Opportunity

Students on the full time programme have the opportunity to take an industry placement as part of their minor thesis. Students have taken placements with Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) in the UK, Microsoft and many other companies and institutions who support farmer advice and behaviour change.



The programme also provides opportunities for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for graduates who are already working in areas of knowledge transfer with farmers.



What Will I Learn?

• Apply research and analytical skills required to identify and support worthwhile innovations

• Be committed to ongoing reflective practice and professional development

• Be competent to facilitate processes of knowledge transfer and knowledge exchange in support of client livelihoods

• Demonstrate a specialized understanding of the agricultural knowledge and innovation system and in particular the synergy between research, extension and education as policy instruments in the context of agricultural change

• Demonstrate an empathy and understanding of the interplay between economic, social, cultural, and psychological factors that affect farm household decision making and the ability to use this understanding to formulate appropriate responses to clients in different circumstances

• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to support adult learning and behaviour change

• Design and develop appropriate advisory and educational strategies to support agricultural development.



The Programme is primarily focused on meeting the needs of Agricultural Science graduates who are interested in careers in advisory, consultancy or education services in the public, private or non-governmental sector. This programme will suit you if you are interested in supporting farmers in agricultural innovation and development and are interested in understanding more about the processes of learning that underpin change and development. The programme is suitable for individuals interested in careers in agricultural extension and education in the public, private or non-governmental sector.

Module/Trimester/Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

RDEV40620 Minor Thesis (Ext&Innovation) 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum) 30

RDEV40450 Research Methods Part I Autumn 5

RDEV40560 Agricultural Extension & Innov Autumn 10

RDEV40730 Understanding the Family Farm Business Autumn 5

RDEV40460 Research Methods Part II Spring 5

RDEV40770 Behaviour Change in Agriculture Spring 10

RDEV40810 Group Approaches for Agricultural Extension Spring 10

IA40490 Design Thinking for Agricultural Innovation Summer 5



Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:

Choose 10 credits of Option modules. Students should note that the recommended workload per trimester is 30 credits. Selecting a 5 credit option module in the Spring trimester will result in a trimester workload of 35 credits.

ANSC30410 Dairy Production Autumn 5

RDEV40490 Sustainable Agriculture Autumn 10

RDEV40780 Community-Led Local Development Autumn 10

RDEV40790 Agricultural Education Autumn 10

RDEV40800 Project Mgt. in Ag Ext. Autumn 5

RDEV40830 Farm Diversification and Land Use Change Autumn 5

CPSC40050 Devs in Crop Production & Util Spring 5

PSY30440 How to Change Behaviour Spring 5

• Applicants must hold the equivalent of a minimum Lower Second Class Honours Degree (NFQ Level 8), or international equivalent, in a range of academic qualifications including Agricultural Science, Life Science and Business Degree programmes from a recognised higher education institution.

• Applications are welcome from people with work experience in government and non-governmental organisations that provide rural extension services in agriculture, environmental and community development.

• 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.

• These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information at: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/ Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Online Application.



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes



Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No

90

D049: 1 year full-time

D050: 2 years part-time

Delivery: On Campus

MAgrSc Agricultural Extension and Innovation (D049) Full Time

EU: fee per year - € 8875

nonEU: fee per year - € 25600


MAgrSc Agricultural Extension and Innovation (D050) Part Time

EU: fee per year - €4490

nonEU: fee per year - €12800


***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website.

D049: Master of Agricultural Science in Agricultural Extension and Innovation Full-Time:

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught



D050: UCD & Macra Agricultural Skillnet - Master of Agricultural Science in Agricultural Extension and Innovation Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

Across the globe there is increasing awareness of the critical contribution of knowledge transfer processes to sustainable and competitive agricultural development and graduates with competencies in agricultural extension are highly sought after. Career opportunities for graduates of this programme are excellent and include advisory services, agricultural sales, agricultural media, agri-tech companies, consultancy and education delivery in the public, private or non-governmental sector.



Graduate Roles:

• Agricultural Advisory

• Agricultural Consultancy

• Training

• Education Delivery

• Communications / Media

• Sales / Account Management

• Knowledge Transfer