- 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
MSc Agricultural Extension and Innovation
MAgrSc (NFQ Level 9)
This course is available through the following application route(s)
- Duration:
- 1 Year
- Attendance:
- Full Time
- Delivery:
- NFQ Level:
- 9 (90 credits)
- Level:
- Graduate Taught
- Award:
- Master of Agricultural Science
- Next Intake:
- September
- 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.
- Duration:
- 2 Years
- Attendance:
- Part-Time
- Delivery:
- On Campus
- NFQ Level:
- 9 (90 credits)
- Level:
- Graduate Taught
- Award:
- Master of Agricultural Science
- Next Intake:
- September
- 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.
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
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.
| 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 - € 10430
nonEU fee per year - € 29100
UCD & Macra Agricultural Skillnet - MSc Agricultural Extension and Innovation (D050) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 5270
nonEU fee per year - € 14550
***Fees are subject to change
EU fee per year - € 10430
nonEU fee per year - € 29100
UCD & Macra Agricultural Skillnet - MSc Agricultural Extension and Innovation (D050) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 5270
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
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information.
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: 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.
How to Apply
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 September 2024 |
Graduate Taught | Closed |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | D050 UCD & Macra Agricultural Skillnet - MSc Agricultural Extension and Innovation Master of Agricultural Science |
Part-Time Commencing September 2024 |
Graduate Taught | Not available to International applicantsClosed |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | D049 MSc Agricultural Extension and Innovation Master of Agricultural Science |
Full-Time Commencing September 2025 |
Graduate Taught | Apply |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | D050 UCD & Macra Agricultural Skillnet - MSc Agricultural Extension and Innovation Master of Agricultural Science |
Part-Time Commencing September 2025 |
Graduate Taught | Not available to International applicantsApply |
* you can change options at the top of the page