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University College Dublin

Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development

GradCert Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development

The UCD Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development programme aims to provide those with experience and / or relevant qualifications in the Agri-Food sector with skills in rural entrepreneurship and communications. It is geared towards the pursuit of a more competitive, innovative and sustainable sector focused on the market place and modern consumer needs.

- Builds the requisite skills and knowledge base to develop careers in the broad areas of sustainable agriculture and rural development.

- Combination of lectures, small group work, field visits, computer laboratory-based activities and private study.

Entry requirements

- The Graduate Certificate Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development is designed to accommodate applicants with a variety of academic qualifications such as Agricultural Science, Life Sciences, Humanities, Arts, Business, Law and Engineering Degree Programmes.

- Applicants must hold minimum of a lower Second class Honours degree (NFQ Level 8), or international equivalent, in a relevant area from a recognised higher education institution. Exceptions may be made for applicants who do not hold the minimum educational requirement if they can demonstrate substantial relevant professional or voluntary experience as detailed on a CV

- 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.

Duration

X390: 1 year part-time. Grad Cert
X449: 1 year full-time. Grad Dip
X450: 2 years part-time. Grad Dip

Careers or further progression

Career Opportunities
Where can I go after the UCD Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development programme?

Graduates of the UCD Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development programme 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 are awarded a 30-credit Graduate Certificate, NFQ Level 9.

Further Study
The modules in this course comprise part of a more extensive graduate programme in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development which leads to the degrees of MAgrSc or MSc (Agr) or to a Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development.

The lectures, practicals and other activities involved in these modules are attended by students undertaking the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Masters courses and all students are evaluated in the same way.

Students who complete the Graduate Certificate course can build on this course in future years to obtain the Graduate Diploma or a Masters Degree.

Related Programmes
MSc(Agr) Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development FT

Further enquiries

Contact Name: Karen Holland
Contact Number: +353 (0)1 716 7193

Subjects taught

GradCert Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development
Stage 1 - Option
Economics and Sociology in Rural Development RDEV40050
Theory & Practice of Rural Enterprises RDEV40300
Strategic Communications RDEV40480
Sustainable Agriculture RDEV40490

Comment

Who should apply?
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

This course is particularly suited to graduates with an agriculture or science degree who have work experience in the Agri-Food, agriculture or rural development sectors. Applicants should ideally hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, but those with other relevant qualifications and / or significant relevant experience within the sector will be considered for entry.