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MSc Agricultural Extension and Innovation

MAgrSc (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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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.

About This Course

  • 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

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

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 RDEV40620 Minor Thesis (Ext&Innovation) 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum)  30
Stage 1 Core Modules
 RDEV40450 Research Methods Part I Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 RDEV40560 Agricultural Extension & Innov Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 RDEV40730 Understanding the Family Farm Business Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 RDEV40460 Research Methods Part II Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 RDEV40770 Behaviour Change in Agriculture Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 RDEV40810 Group Approaches for Agricultural Extension Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 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
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.
 RDEV40490 Sustainable Agriculture Autumn  10
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.
 RDEV40780 Community-Led Local Development Autumn  10
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.
 RDEV40790 Agricultural Education Autumn  10
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.
 RDEV40800 Project Mgt. in Ag Ext. Autumn  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.
 RDEV40830 Farm Diversification and Land Use Change Autumn  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.
 CPSC40050 Devs in Crop Production & Util Spring  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.
 PSY30440 How to Change Behaviour Spring  5

Eugene Ryan - Technical Sales Advisor, Grassland Agro

MSc (Agr) Agricultural Extension and Innovation

While completing my undergraduate degree in Agricultural Science, I gained an invaluable insight into the agricultural industry as a whole. This inspired me to complete further study with a particular focus on innovation within the industry and its dissemination to the end - user.   When looking for a master’s program that would further develop my skills and knowledge in this area, the MAgrSc in Agricultural Extension and Innovation ticked all the boxes. 

The knowledge and insights gained from this master’s through its various tailored modules and my thesis research into sustainable farming practices have proven invaluable and highly relevant to my role as a Technical Sales Advisor with Grassland Agro. Furthermore, the flexibility of completing my studies part-time while working in the industry was of great benefit by allowing me to put theory into practice.   

This master’s program has built my competencies in agricultural advisory and has equipped me with the tools required to help farmers navigate the changing landscape in Agriculture, and helping guide them towards a more sustainable system.

 

MSc Agricultural Extension and Innovation (D049) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 10174.5
nonEU    fee per year - € 29100

UCD & Macra Agricultural Skillnet - MSc Agricultural Extension and Innovation (D050) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 5140
nonEU    fee per year - € 14550

***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.

  • 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 

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No


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.


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MSc Agricultural Extension and Innovation:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt D049
MSc Agricultural Extension and Innovation
Master of Agricultural Science		 Full-Time
Commencing 2024/2025 September		 Graduate Taught Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt D050
UCD & Macra Agricultural Skillnet - MSc Agricultural Extension and Innovation
Master of Agricultural Science		 Part-Time
Commencing 2024/2025 September		 Graduate Taught Apply
* you can change options at the top of the page
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