Explore UCD

UCD Home >

Agricultural Science

BAgrSc (NFQ Level 8)
I am an
Study Abroad
Scholarships Available
Sustainable Development Goals

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

Duration:
4 Years
Attendance:
Full Time
Delivery:
On Campus
NFQ Level:
8 (240 credits)
Level:
Undergraduate
Award:
Bachelor of Agricultural Science
Next Intake:
September
General Entry Requirements (A-Level)

CCC + D AS Level

General Entry Requirements (IB)

27

Subject Requirements (Mathematics)

GCSE C / AS Level D / A Level E
IB SL 4 / HL 3

Subject Requirements (Laboratory Science)

GCSE C / A Level E

(or AS Level D)
IB SL 4 / HL 3

CAO Points 2025

431

Leaving Cert Subject Entry Requirements

O6/H7 in English, Irish, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject and two other recognised subjects.

Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Apply Now

If you’re interested in Agricultural Science but are not yet certain of which area to specialise in, you can select the No Preference (UAS1) option on the online application portal. Then, during your first year at UCD, you can choose your area of specialisation. If you receive an offer on the Agricultural Science programme, you’ll be guaranteed a place in any of the eleven specialisations from second year. If, on the other hand, you know which of the following areas you’d like to specialise in, you can select one of these areas on the application form. The degree specialisations offered are:

  • ESS1 Agri-Environmental Sciences
  • ETS2  Agricultural  Systems Technology
  • CPS1 Animal  & Crop  Production
  • ANS1 Animal Science
  • EQS1 Animal Science – Equine
  • CPS3 Crop Science
  • DBS1 Dairy Business
  • FAS1 Food & Agribusiness Management
  • FAW1 Food Business with Chinese Studies *
  • FOS1 Forestry
  • HLS1 Horticulture

* Students interested in progressing to the Food Business with Chinese Studies degree must undertake three Chinese language modules by the end of year one.

About This Course

All our degrees have 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. Science modules are taught on the basis that you have not studied the subject before.

First year core subjects include: 

  • Animal Biology & Evolution
  • Cell & Plant Biology
  • Physics
  • Mathematics for Agriculture
  • Introductory Chemistry
  • Agricultural Economics & Business
  • Information Skills
  • Agricultural Science Optional Modules.

In second, third & fourth year you specialise in one of the programme areas listed above. Details are listed on the individual programme pages.

Students spend an average of 40 hours a week attending lectures,  tutorials and laboratory-based practicals, and undertake independent study.

A combination  of  continuous assessment and end-of-trimester written examinations is used. Certain modules also require project work.

PWE is an integral part of the degree and takes place in third year. Part, or all, of PWE can be taken abroad. PWE provides an opportunity for you to network, experience many different roles and, in some instances, even secure a job prior to graduation.

There are opportunities to study abroad for one trimester during third year, in universities in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the USA, among others.

BAgrSc graduates have an excellent record in obtaining challenging and fulfilling roles. Careers in sectors such as food, agriculture, business and services include:

  • Enterprise management
  • Technical service and consultancy
  • Research
  • Education
  • Marketing and communications
  • Primary production of quality food and fibre products

You can also pursue a wide range of graduate studies by research or examination (Master’s and PhD) in areas such as:

  • Environmental resource management
  • Humanitarian action
  • Rural development
  • Business
  • Information Technology
  • Education

Higher and graduate diplomas are also available.

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
 CHEM00020 Introductory Chemistry Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 MATH10230 Mathematics for Agriculture I Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PHYC10180 Physics for Ag. Science Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 RDEV10020 Information Skills Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 RDEV10030 Introduction to Agricultural Economics and Business Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 BIOL10010 Animal Biology and Evolution Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 BIOL10030 Cell and Plant Biology Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 CHEM10010 Introduction to the Chemistry of Biomolecules Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Students must select one of the following AUTUMN introductory modules. Please be sure to select the AUTUMN class.Students wishing to study Food Business with Chinese Studies must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose AUTUMN modules as advised.
 AESC10010 Land Use and the Environment Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Students must select one of the following AUTUMN introductory modules. Please be sure to select the AUTUMN class.Students wishing to study Food Business with Chinese Studies must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose AUTUMN modules as advised.
 CHN10050 Chinese Culture Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Students must select one of the following AUTUMN introductory modules. Please be sure to select the AUTUMN class.Students wishing to study Food Business with Chinese Studies must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose AUTUMN modules as advised.
 CHN20010 Int. Spoken Chinese I Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Students must select one of the following AUTUMN introductory modules. Please be sure to select the AUTUMN class.Students wishing to study Food Business with Chinese Studies must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose AUTUMN modules as advised.
 FOR10020 Trees and Forests in Ireland Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Students must select one of the following AUTUMN introductory modules. Please be sure to select the AUTUMN class.Students wishing to study Food Business with Chinese Studies must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose AUTUMN modules as advised.
 HACT10010 Introduction to Humanitarian Action Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Students must select one of the following AUTUMN introductory modules. Please be sure to select the AUTUMN class.Students wishing to study Food Business with Chinese Studies must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose AUTUMN modules as advised.
 CHN10010 Chinese for Beginners Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Students must select one of the following AUTUMN introductory modules. Please be sure to select the AUTUMN class.Students wishing to study Food Business with Chinese Studies must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose AUTUMN modules as advised.
 FDSC10010 Food Diet and Health Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of:
Students must select TWO of the following introductory modules. Please be sure to select the SPRING class. Students wishing to study certain programmes from stage two onwards are advised to take the following:
Dairy Business (BMGT10060 and BMGT10140)
Agricultural Systems Technology (MATH10240)
Horticulture (HORT10030 and HORT10040)
Students considering a career in teaching Second Level Science may wish to select PHYC10190.
Students who wish to progress to the Food Business with Chinese Studies degree option must undertake three Chinese language modules by the end of stage one and must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose SPRING modules as advised.
 BMGT10140 Business Plan Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of:
Students must select TWO of the following introductory modules. Please be sure to select the SPRING class. Students wishing to study certain programmes from stage two onwards are advised to take the following:
Dairy Business (BMGT10060 and BMGT10140)
Agricultural Systems Technology (MATH10240)
Horticulture (HORT10030 and HORT10040)
Students considering a career in teaching Second Level Science may wish to select PHYC10190.
Students who wish to progress to the Food Business with Chinese Studies degree option must undertake three Chinese language modules by the end of stage one and must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose SPRING modules as advised.
 CHN10010 Chinese for Beginners Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of:
Students must select TWO of the following introductory modules. Please be sure to select the SPRING class. Students wishing to study certain programmes from stage two onwards are advised to take the following:
Dairy Business (BMGT10060 and BMGT10140)
Agricultural Systems Technology (MATH10240)
Horticulture (HORT10030 and HORT10040)
Students considering a career in teaching Second Level Science may wish to select PHYC10190.
Students who wish to progress to the Food Business with Chinese Studies degree option must undertake three Chinese language modules by the end of stage one and must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose SPRING modules as advised.
 FDSC10010 Food Diet and Health Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of:
Students must select TWO of the following introductory modules. Please be sure to select the SPRING class. Students wishing to study certain programmes from stage two onwards are advised to take the following:
Dairy Business (BMGT10060 and BMGT10140)
Agricultural Systems Technology (MATH10240)
Horticulture (HORT10030 and HORT10040)
Students considering a career in teaching Second Level Science may wish to select PHYC10190.
Students who wish to progress to the Food Business with Chinese Studies degree option must undertake three Chinese language modules by the end of stage one and must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose SPRING modules as advised.
 ANSC10010 Introduction to Animal Science Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of:
Students must select TWO of the following introductory modules. Please be sure to select the SPRING class. Students wishing to study certain programmes from stage two onwards are advised to take the following:
Dairy Business (BMGT10060 and BMGT10140)
Agricultural Systems Technology (MATH10240)
Horticulture (HORT10030 and HORT10040)
Students considering a career in teaching Second Level Science may wish to select PHYC10190.
Students who wish to progress to the Food Business with Chinese Studies degree option must undertake three Chinese language modules by the end of stage one and must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose SPRING modules as advised.
 BMGT10060 Introduction to Management Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of:
Students must select TWO of the following introductory modules. Please be sure to select the SPRING class. Students wishing to study certain programmes from stage two onwards are advised to take the following:
Dairy Business (BMGT10060 and BMGT10140)
Agricultural Systems Technology (MATH10240)
Horticulture (HORT10030 and HORT10040)
Students considering a career in teaching Second Level Science may wish to select PHYC10190.
Students who wish to progress to the Food Business with Chinese Studies degree option must undertake three Chinese language modules by the end of stage one and must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose SPRING modules as advised.
 BSEN10010 Biosystems Engineering Design Challenge Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of:
Students must select TWO of the following introductory modules. Please be sure to select the SPRING class. Students wishing to study certain programmes from stage two onwards are advised to take the following:
Dairy Business (BMGT10060 and BMGT10140)
Agricultural Systems Technology (MATH10240)
Horticulture (HORT10030 and HORT10040)
Students considering a career in teaching Second Level Science may wish to select PHYC10190.
Students who wish to progress to the Food Business with Chinese Studies degree option must undertake three Chinese language modules by the end of stage one and must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose SPRING modules as advised.
 CHN10030 Elementary Written Chinese Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of:
Students must select TWO of the following introductory modules. Please be sure to select the SPRING class. Students wishing to study certain programmes from stage two onwards are advised to take the following:
Dairy Business (BMGT10060 and BMGT10140)
Agricultural Systems Technology (MATH10240)
Horticulture (HORT10030 and HORT10040)
Students considering a career in teaching Second Level Science may wish to select PHYC10190.
Students who wish to progress to the Food Business with Chinese Studies degree option must undertake three Chinese language modules by the end of stage one and must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose SPRING modules as advised.
 CHN10040 Elementary Spoken Chinese Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of:
Students must select TWO of the following introductory modules. Please be sure to select the SPRING class. Students wishing to study certain programmes from stage two onwards are advised to take the following:
Dairy Business (BMGT10060 and BMGT10140)
Agricultural Systems Technology (MATH10240)
Horticulture (HORT10030 and HORT10040)
Students considering a career in teaching Second Level Science may wish to select PHYC10190.
Students who wish to progress to the Food Business with Chinese Studies degree option must undertake three Chinese language modules by the end of stage one and must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose SPRING modules as advised.
 CPSC10010 Introduction to Crop Science Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of:
Students must select TWO of the following introductory modules. Please be sure to select the SPRING class. Students wishing to study certain programmes from stage two onwards are advised to take the following:
Dairy Business (BMGT10060 and BMGT10140)
Agricultural Systems Technology (MATH10240)
Horticulture (HORT10030 and HORT10040)
Students considering a career in teaching Second Level Science may wish to select PHYC10190.
Students who wish to progress to the Food Business with Chinese Studies degree option must undertake three Chinese language modules by the end of stage one and must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose SPRING modules as advised.
 FDSC10030 Our Food, Our Planet: Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of:
Students must select TWO of the following introductory modules. Please be sure to select the SPRING class. Students wishing to study certain programmes from stage two onwards are advised to take the following:
Dairy Business (BMGT10060 and BMGT10140)
Agricultural Systems Technology (MATH10240)
Horticulture (HORT10030 and HORT10040)
Students considering a career in teaching Second Level Science may wish to select PHYC10190.
Students who wish to progress to the Food Business with Chinese Studies degree option must undertake three Chinese language modules by the end of stage one and must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose SPRING modules as advised.
 HORT10020 Plants and People Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of:
Students must select TWO of the following introductory modules. Please be sure to select the SPRING class. Students wishing to study certain programmes from stage two onwards are advised to take the following:
Dairy Business (BMGT10060 and BMGT10140)
Agricultural Systems Technology (MATH10240)
Horticulture (HORT10030 and HORT10040)
Students considering a career in teaching Second Level Science may wish to select PHYC10190.
Students who wish to progress to the Food Business with Chinese Studies degree option must undertake three Chinese language modules by the end of stage one and must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose SPRING modules as advised.
 HORT10030 Plant-based Diets Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of:
Students must select TWO of the following introductory modules. Please be sure to select the SPRING class. Students wishing to study certain programmes from stage two onwards are advised to take the following:
Dairy Business (BMGT10060 and BMGT10140)
Agricultural Systems Technology (MATH10240)
Horticulture (HORT10030 and HORT10040)
Students considering a career in teaching Second Level Science may wish to select PHYC10190.
Students who wish to progress to the Food Business with Chinese Studies degree option must undertake three Chinese language modules by the end of stage one and must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose SPRING modules as advised.
 HORT10040 Introduction to Sustainable Horticulture Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of:
Students must select TWO of the following introductory modules. Please be sure to select the SPRING class. Students wishing to study certain programmes from stage two onwards are advised to take the following:
Dairy Business (BMGT10060 and BMGT10140)
Agricultural Systems Technology (MATH10240)
Horticulture (HORT10030 and HORT10040)
Students considering a career in teaching Second Level Science may wish to select PHYC10190.
Students who wish to progress to the Food Business with Chinese Studies degree option must undertake three Chinese language modules by the end of stage one and must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose SPRING modules as advised.
 MATH10240 Mathematics for Agriculture II Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of:
Students must select TWO of the following introductory modules. Please be sure to select the SPRING class. Students wishing to study certain programmes from stage two onwards are advised to take the following:
Dairy Business (BMGT10060 and BMGT10140)
Agricultural Systems Technology (MATH10240)
Horticulture (HORT10030 and HORT10040)
Students considering a career in teaching Second Level Science may wish to select PHYC10190.
Students who wish to progress to the Food Business with Chinese Studies degree option must undertake three Chinese language modules by the end of stage one and must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose SPRING modules as advised.
 PHYC10190 Aspects of Physics for Ag. Sci Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of:
Students must select TWO of the following introductory modules. Please be sure to select the SPRING class. Students wishing to study certain programmes from stage two onwards are advised to take the following:
Dairy Business (BMGT10060 and BMGT10140)
Agricultural Systems Technology (MATH10240)
Horticulture (HORT10030 and HORT10040)
Students considering a career in teaching Second Level Science may wish to select PHYC10190.
Students who wish to progress to the Food Business with Chinese Studies degree option must undertake three Chinese language modules by the end of stage one and must contact the UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at iics@ucd.ie for guidance and choose SPRING modules as advised.
 RDEV10040 Introduction to Food and Agribusiness Management Spring  5

SDG1 SDG2 SDG 3 SDG 4 SDG 5 SDG 6 SDG 7 SDG 8
SDG9 SDG10 SDG11 SDG 12 SDG 13 SDG 14 SDG 15 SDG 16 SDG 17

 

The UN Sustainable Development Goals are very relevant to each of the 11 Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree programmes available.  Please select the individual programme of interest to obtain additional details on how each programme is relevant to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

 

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.

Print this page

General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Agricultural Science:

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceInt
UAS1
Agricultural Science
Bachelor of Agricultural Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates
Apply
showAudience-audienceEU
DN250
Agricultural Science
Bachelor of Agricultural Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Application through CAO
Apply via CAO
* you can change options at the top of the page

Additional special entry route(s) to Agricultural Science:

These options have additional eligibility requirements to cater for specific applicant cohorts. You should not apply via these routes before consulting the requirements or contacting the responsible UCD office.

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceInt
UAS1
Agricultural Science
Bachelor of Agricultural Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Access Progression Pathway
Access Progression Pathway
Apply
Application to this Non-EU Access Progression Pathway is by invitation only. If you are not currently enrolled on an Access programme at UCD, your application will be marked as invalid.
If you are not a current Access student, but you are a non-EU applicant seeking admission to an undergraduate degree, please submit an application via the "Undergraduate Degree (Non-EU)" course type.
Contact UsEventsInformation for your CountryUndergraduate AdmissionDownload BrochureView UCD ProspectusChat to Students
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.