DN250 is the CAO code for Agricultural Science at UCD. Within DN250 there are eleven degree specialisations offered.

• Agricultural Systems Technology
• Agri-Environmental Sciences
• Animal and Crop Production
• Animal Science
• Animal Science-Equine
• Crop Science
• Dairy Business
• Food and Agribusiness Management
• Food Business with Chinese Studies
• Forestry
• Horticulture

There are two entry route options. If you know which programme you would like to specialise in, you can select that programme on your CAO application and enter directly in Stage 1. Alternatively, if you are interested in Agricultural Science but not certain of which area you would like to specialise in, you can select the No Preference (NPF) option on the CAO form. This allows you to take a common first year and not choose you area of specialisation until the end of year one. During your first year you will have an opportunity to take introductory modules for each course.

Once you receive an offer on the Agricultural Science programme (DN250) you are guaranteed a place in any of the eleven specialisations from second year.

Each of our 14 entry routes has a similar first year, designed to give you a strong foundation in the core sciences, maths and economics needed for the rest of your studies. You will also have an opportunity to take one or more introductory modules from any of our courses in first year, providing you with an insight into the subsequent stages of each degree available within UCD Agriculture, Food & Nutrition. This is particularly beneficial for Agricultural Science (DN250) students, who choose their preferred degree at the end of first year.

You will study subjects in:

• Agricultural Economics & Business
• Animal Biology and Evolution
• Cell and Plant Biology
• Chemistry & Physics
• Information Skills
• Introduction to Biomolecules
• Maths
• Optional Modules

Your subjects in year two will begin to specialise into your chosen programme. A full list of modules can be viewed above within each individual programme page.

Our focus at the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science is to develop the next generation of agriculture, food and human nutrition leaders. You will develop professional skills for enterprise management, technical service and consultancy, management, research, education, marketing, communications and primary production of quality food and fibre products.

Due to the broad nature of our programmes our graduates have an excellent record in obtaining challenging and fulfilling employment in a variety of sectors. These sectors include food, agriculture, health, business and services. A selection of our Alumni can be seen here.

The School of Agriculture and Food Science has a very strong and unique relationship with industry and students are exposed to employers coming on to campus in search of talented soon-to-be graduates each year. The final year undergraduate students in the School of Agriculture & Food Science are the only student body on campus to organise their own Careers Fair annually. In 2020, more than 50 exhibitors attended a very successful UCD Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Career Day. View our video from 2020 Careers Day here

Professional Work Experience (PWE) is the term the School of Agriculture & Food Science use for the student internship process which is undertaken as part of our undergraduate programmes.

There is huge importance attached to this applied learning experience which gives students the opportunity to experience the practical application of knowledge in their chosen area. Many students will say that PWE was the most memorable part of their degree programme. PWE is an an invaluable opportunity to network and each year a selection of graduates commence employment with organisations where they undertook their PWE placement.

Students may arrange to take one or a number of placements during their PWE and placements may be taken with an approved provider in Ireland or internationally. The opportunity to complete your PWE placement internationally and the network of partners available to apply to is a unique benefit based on our 180 years of experience and global research links. In 2018-2019 29% of students took their PWE placements overseas.

The duration of PWE varies from 16 – 40 weeks depending on what programme students are undertaking. All placements take place in Stage 3.

NOTE: Students studying Food Business with Chinese Studies will study abroad in Year 3. PWE is optional on this programme.

“The benefit of having PWE built into our degree is priceless, it instantly makes you more employable and was key in many students, including myself, securing positions in leading agri-businesses after college.”

Rachel White
Animal Science Graduate

There are exciting opportunities for UCD students enrolled on the BAgrSc & BSc Food Science programme to study at one of our 13 partner universities overseas – we call this the Student Exchange Programme.

Students can avail of opportunities to spend a semester studying at American, Australian and New Zealand universities under established exchange programmes.

A semester on the student exchange programme provides a unique opportunity to experience a university environment in a foreign country, broaden your academic experience, earn college credits while living abroad, make lifelong friends and learn about agriculture and food science from another country’s perspective, all while experiencing a different culture and lifestyle.

This opportunity can be taken in Year 3 and while no university fees are incurred, students are responsible for covering the cost of their own travel, accommodation, etc. There are a limited number of scholarships available which can support the cost of travel.

“The highlight of my college career was the semester I spent at Cornell University. I couldn’t pass on an opportunity to study at a world-renowned Ivy League university in New York.”

Joanne O’Keeffe
ACP Graduate

UCD is unique amongst third level universities in Ireland by having its own teaching and research farm to provide students and academics with access to large animal and crop enterprises for the delivery of teaching and research programmes.

UCD Lyons Farm is fundamental to the student educational experience by providing opportunities for them to understand and see the practices and principles discussed in lectures at first hand.

On many BAgrSc programmes students visit UCD Lyons Farm in year two as part of the Health, Welfare and Safety module that takes place in preparation for Professional Work Experience.  On some modules in year three, such as Soil Science Applications and Animal Reproduction, students visit UCD Lyons Farm for important practical classes.  Animal and Crop Production and Animal Science degree programme students spend one day per week at UCD Lyons Farm during the final year of their studies.

There are also opportunities for students to obtain invaluable experience during the especially busy Lambing period at UCD Lyons Farm which takes place in March each year.

Research taking place at Lyons Farm is of national and international importance and underpins the programmes taught within the school aswell as supporting innovation for the agri-food industry.

• #1 destination of choice in Ireland for the study of Agricultural and Food Science
• 5th in Europe and 19th in the World for the study of Agricultural Sciences
• #1 for citations in Food Science
• Academic staff among the top 1% of the cited researchers in the world
• Athena Swan Bronze Award winner for commitment to gender equality.

In your first year UCD provide a range of supports to ensure your transition to university life is as smooth as possible. A comprehensive induction and orientation programme, Peer Mentoring, dedicated Student Advisers, committed Programme Directors and Programme Office staff underpin our reputation for being the most friendly and close-knit community in UCD. Supports and initiatives such as the Maths Support Centre, tutorials, laboratories and continuous assessment are designed to assist you along the way.

The UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science offer a number of alternative entry routes into our degree programmes in addition to entry from Irish school leaving examinations.

Further information is available here.  

1. Dairy Business students talks about his work experience abroad.

2. Reasons to study Agricultural Science in UCD (student perspective)