Food & Agribusiness Management

During the Food & Agribusiness Management degree, you will learn how the principles of business and economics apply to farming, food production and marketing. You will study core science subjects in first year, then specialise in agribusiness in subsequent years. You gain an understanding of how the Irish and international food systems deliver food products and services that people want, and how farmers and food manufacturers can produce profitably and sustainably.

The four-year course provides a unique opportunity to understand both business and science, focusing on the agri-food sector – Ireland’s largest indigenous industry. You will learn skills that can be used across a wide range of roles both within and outside the agri-food sector.

Click here to Download Course Pathways document.

Students spend an average of 40 hours a week attending lectures and tutorials, participating in laboratory-based practical classes and undertaking independent study.

First Year

In first year you will study core science modules in biology, chemistry and physics, all applied to the agri-food sector, alongside introductory modules in land use and the environment, agricultural economics and agribusiness.

Second Year

Second year builds on this foundation with classes in business management, applied economics, and crop, food and environmental sciences. Second year will also widen your knowledge through new subjects in business law and biostatistics. You can opt for a two-module elective pathway in food, diet and health, spreadsheet modelling or animal science (or mix between the two).

Third Year

At the start of third year you will learn specialist technical skills in statistical analysis, spreadsheet modelling and financial planning, together with additional knowledge of food science. The rest of the year is devoted to a 30 week Professional Work Experience (PWE) placement. Here you will obtain industry knowledge and workplace skills first hand, and begin building your personal network of professional contacts.

Fourth Year

Final year focuses on deepening your agribusiness expertise with specialist modules in a variety of areas such as enterprise development, strategy, communications, farm business management and diversification, food marketing, agri-taxation and agri-environmental and policy and e-business. You will also undertake a research project on a topic of your choice, working with one of our knowledgeable and approachable lecturers.

Professional Work Experience (PWE)

A 30-week period of structured PWE takes place in third year where you will spend the second trimester working in the food and agribusiness industry in Ireland or abroad. This helps you apply the knowledge you have gained, and can lead directly to employment following graduation.

Other assessments include completing business plans, presentations, case studies and traditional exams.

There are also opportunities to take a trimester abroad in third year. Possibilities include universities in New Zealand, Australia, Italy and the USA.

Our graduates have an excellent  record of finding employment in various sectors, including:

• Food processing
• Food distribution and marketing
• Financial services
• Consultancy services
• Agri-food media
• Farm management

Popular graduate study programmes include: PhD by research; MSc in Marketing; MAgrSc in Agricultural Extension and Innovation and MSc in Food Business Strategy.

• Level 5/6 QQI-FET
• Open Learning Entry Route
• Mature Entry Route
• DARE Entry Route
• HEAR Entry Route
• University Access

The content of the Food and Agribusiness Management programme is relevant to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

No poverty (SDG 1): by understanding the food chain "from farm to fork", graduates of the programme can identify opportunities for adding value to agricultural products, thereby increasing profits and improving livelihoods.

Zero hunger (SDG 2): with its focus on food production, distribution, and management, the programme and its graduates can contribute to efforts to eliminate hunger and achieve food security.

Decent work and economic growth (SDG 8): the programme equips its graduates with business skills and an entrepreneurial spirit, which can lead to job creation and economic growth in rural areas.

Responsible consumption and production (SDG 12): understanding agribusiness management helps promote sustainable practices in food production and consumption, thereby reducing waste and environmental impact.

Climate action (SDG 13): students taking this programme will learn which policies and practices may be most cost effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the agri-food sector.

Life on land (SDG 15): with sustainable land management approached from both science and business perspectives, graduates of the programme will learn how to help protect ecosystems and biodiversity.

Non-EU Undergraduate Fee information can be found here.

UCD offers a number of competitive undergraduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD undergraduate degree programme. For information on Undergraduate Scholarships, please see the UCD International Scholarships webpage.