- Apply learned skills and competencies in horticultural production of food and/or non-food plants.
- Combine the use of core laboratory, field and IT skills in scientific study and evaluation.
- Devise and interpret horticultural studies/evaluations involving the collection, appropriate analysis and reporting of resulting observations.
- Interpret and evaluate the wider sustainability issues and challenges of plant based food and non-food production.
- Contribute to and appreciate the objectives of related national, EU and international policy.
- Integrate scientific understanding in sustainable horticulture production and policy approaches
- Combine, interpret and apply new scientific, technological & business knowledge to their horticultural practice.
- Plan and realise sustainable management of biological, human, financial, and social resources, to ensure the success of commercial and non-commercial horticulture enterprises.
This course is available through the following application route(s)
The MSc Horticulture caters for early career graduates working or intending to work in the global dynamic horticulture production and supply industry. It is designed for students who wish to acquire greater expertise in horticulture, mature students and career changers, and draws on the academic expertise available in the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science.
Today the supply of horticulture goods and services involves a global network of producers, distributors and retailers. While labour is currently a significant part of the cost basis for horticulture enterprises, innovations in technology, logistics and management is disrupting the traditional labour intensive model of horticulture businesses.
With ever increasing demands from the market place to reduce costs, future horticulture enterprises will require highly educated and skilled individuals who can interpret and apply sound scientific knowledge and utilise modern innovative technologies and management systems to provide sustainable globally relevant horticulture products and services.
The minor thesis component offers a very broad choice of research topics that allows a candidate to focus on a specific subject area. Students are assigned an academic supervisor with research interests and expertise in the thesis subject area.
About This Course
Wide ranging career opportunities exist in private companies, public organisations and government agencies in the food and non-food sectors of horticulture. This programme also allows graduates to completely change direction putting them on a radically different career path from their primary degree and advancement to PhD level.
Graduate Roles:
- Plant Producers
- Distribution and Retail
- Horticulture Therapists
- Designers
- Technical Advisors
- Scientists
- Business Development
- Entrepreneurial Roles
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.
Zian Tang, Student View
I participated in the MSc Horticulture at UCD as a joint programme between Yangzhou University (YZU) and UCD and am very glad I did. UCD is a very reputable college in Ireland. The people are very friendly and the campus is fantastic. The course has a wide range of subjects and several practical courses. I found the tutorials offered by the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science College benefited me a lot.
In UCD, you can join many communities and activities to make friends. The students are really nice.
From the Pre- Master course, we learned the skill of essay writing with the support of teachers. UCD is a perfect place to study and carry out research.
- Applicants must hold a minimum lower second class honours degree, or international equivalent in a biological, environmental, agricultural or related science degree.
- Mature candidates will be considered on the basis of relevant experience. Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact the Programme Director to discuss their eligibility.
- 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.
- Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/ .
- 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. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MSc Horticulture:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | D064 MSc Horticulture Master of Science Full-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |
* you can change options at the top of the page