Program Overview

Agricultural Science

The Agricultural Science program at University College Cork is a four-year, full-time course that provides students with a comprehensive education in agriculture, building on a foundation of fundamental sciences and developing core knowledge and skills in agricultural practices.

Course Outline

The course is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to succeed in the agricultural industry. The program includes a combination of theoretical and practical learning, with a focus on dairy farming and the agri-food sector.

• Year 1 Modules:
  • AG1001 Introduction to Agriculture (10 credits)
  • BC1001 Introduction to Biochemistry and the Biological Basis of Disease (5 credits)
  • BL1002 Cells, Biomolecules, Genetics and Evolution (5 credits)
  • BL1004 Physiology and Structure of Plants and Animals (5 credits)
  • CM1202 Fundamentals of Modern Chemistry for Agricultural Sciences (10 credits)
  • FE1019 Introduction to Food and Agricultural Economics (5 credits)
  • FE1030 Introduction to International Food Policy (5 credits)
  • FS2005 Principles of Food Science & Technology (5 credits)
  • MA1001 Calculus for Science Part I (5 credits)
  • PY1109 Physics for Agriculture & Environmental Science (5 credits)

Course Practicalities

The course is delivered through a combination of lectures, practicals, field trips, and work placements. Students will spend the majority of their time in the first two years on the UCC campus, with visits to Teagasc Moorepark and Teagasc Clonakilty Agricultural College. In the third year, students will be based at the Paddy O'Keeffe Innovation Centre at Teagasc Moorepark.

• Work Placement: Students will undertake 30 weeks of work placement in the third year, split between a dairy farm and an industry placement.
• Study Abroad: Opportunities for study abroad are available, but placement abroad is not possible for the on-farm component.

Skills and Careers Information

Graduates of the Agricultural Science program will be highly employable in the agri-food sector, with opportunities in areas such as:

• Teagasc
• DAFM
• ICBF
• Financial institutions
• Dairy/food processing companies
• Agri-merchants
• Pharma giants
• AI industry
• Enterprise management
• Private consultancy
• Education
• Marketing
• Communications
• Journalism

Requirements

To be eligible for the program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements: At least six subjects must be presented, with a minimum grade of H4 in one subject, H5 in one subject, and O6/H7 in four other subjects.
• EU/EFTA/UK Qualifications: Applicants must have an equivalent school-leaving qualification.
• Mature Students: Applicants must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the application year and apply online via the CAO by 1 February.
• QQI FET Entry: Applicants who meet the required level of distinctions in required subjects can apply for entry to this course using specific QQI FET qualifications.

Fees and Costs

The cost of the program includes tuition fees, which are covered by the State for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student contribution and capitation fees are payable by the student. Additional costs include travel expenses for work placements and field trips.

How to Apply

Applicants can apply through the CAO or the UCC Apply portal for non-EU applicants. Mature applicants must apply through the CAO by 1 February, and QQI FET applicants can apply through the CAO.