Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development
MSc(Agr) Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)
The MSc Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development responds to contemporary and future transformations in agriculture and rural development. The programme takes a place-based approach to rural change and rural futures, and addresses how agriculture can contribute to sustainable development. It examines how farming and rural areas are changing, and how communities and government can address future challenges and opportunities. These issues are relevant in Ireland and internationally, in the Global South and Global North.
This programme, which is offered on both a full-time and part-time basis, prepares graduates for roles of leadership, advocacy and influence in local, national and international development settings. This is achieved by strengthening capabilities in the relevant analytical, communications and entrepreneurship skills, underpinned by the provision of an enhanced understanding of the theory, policy and practice of rural development.
The learning environment fosters individual and group-based activities, which develop students’ skills of inquiry, critical thinking, self-directed and collaborative learning. A variety of teaching and learning approaches are used including group project work, student presentations, individual assignments, field trips and case study work.
Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate options are available.
Subjects taught
Stage 1 - Core
Policies & Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development RDEV40150
Minor Thesis RDEV40230
Theory & Practice of Rural Enterprises RDEV40300
Research Methods Part I RDEV40450
Research Methods Part II RDEV40460
Strategic Communications RDEV40480
Sustainable Agriculture RDEV40490
Stage 1 - Option
Organic Agriculture CPSC30050
Economics and Sociology in Rural Development RDEV40050
Planning for Development RDEV40470
Agricultural Extension & Innov RDEV40560
Understanding the Family Farm Business RDEV40730
Green Care Policy and Practice RDEV40740
Entry requirements
Applicants must hold a minimum of a second class honours degree, or international equivalent, in a range of subject areas.
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 may be made for applicants who do not hold the minimum educational requirement if they can demonstrate substantial relevant professional or voluntary experience.
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.
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. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/
These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes.
Application dates
How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:
MSc(Agr) Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development FT (X376)
Duration
1 Years
Attend
Full Time
Deadline
Rolling*
MSc(Agr) Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development PT (X377)
Duration
2 Years
Attend
Part Time
Deadline
Rolling*
* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised.
Credits
90
Duration
1 year full-time (X376) or 2 years part-time (X377). Mode of Delivery: Face-to-Face.
Fees
MSc(Agr) Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development (X376) Full Time
EU fee per year - €8,595
non EU fee per year - €24,800
MSc(Agr) Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development (X377) Part Time
EU Year 1 - €4,350
EU Year 2 - €4,350 aa
non EU Year 1 - €12,400
non EU Year 2 - €12,100 aa
aaSecond Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2019 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2018/19
***Fees are subject to change
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.
Enrolment dates
Next Intake: 2024/2025 September.
Post Course Info
Careers & Employability
Graduates from this programme will be equipped with the required skills and knowledge base to develop careers in the broad arena of sustainable agriculture and rural development in Ireland or Internationally in both the public and private sector.
Graduates typically find employment in government, agricultural and rural development agencies, local development agencies, NGOs involved in rural development, as well as donor agencies and international development organisations.
Graduate Roles:
• Development Managers
• Advisors
• Consultants
• Public servants
• Researchers