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Graduate Diploma Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development

GradDip (NFQ Level 9)

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

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This Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) programme at UCD responds to the new agenda for agriculture and rural area development. It represents a return to core values in the development of rural areas which are rooted in agricultural change as well as responding to new societal demands such as safe and ethically produced food, a healthier environment and sustainable and affordable energy. These issues are relevant in both Ireland, industrialised countries and in the developing world.

This programme prepares graduates for roles of leadership, advocacy and influence in local, national and international development settings. This is achieved by strengthening capabilities in the relevant analytical, communications and entrepreneurship skills, underpinned by the provision of an enhanced understanding of the theory, policy and practice of rural development.

The learning environment fosters individual and group-based activities, which develop students’ skills of inquiry, critical thinking, self-directed and collaborative learning. A variety of teaching and learning approaches are used including group project work, student presentations, individual assignments, field trips and case study work.

Graduates are awarded a 60-credit Graduate Diploma, NFQ Level 9. 

The modules in this course comprise part of a more extensive graduate programme in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development. Students who complete the Graduate Diploma course can build on this course in future years to obtain a Masters Degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development. 

About This Course

  • Demonstrate enhanced problem-solving skills for application to issues in agriculture and rural development and the ability to formulate/evaluate potential solutions
  • Plan and implement strategic communications campaigns in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) settings
  • Understand and interpret strategies applied in achieving the objectives of SARD in Irish, EU and internationally
  • Understand the nature and practice of rural diversification
  • Understand the context within which sustainable agriculture and rural development related policies are devised
  • Understand the key principles and practices that make agriculture sustainable

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
 RDEV40450 Research Methods Part I Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 RDEV40490 Sustainable Agriculture Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 RDEV40780 Community-Led Local Development Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 RDEV40150 Policies & Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 RDEV40300 Theory & Practice of Rural Enterprises Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 RDEV40460 Research Methods Part II Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students must select a total of 10 credits of optional modules.
Students should note that the recommended workload per trimester is 30 credits. Selecting a 10 credit option module in either the Autumn or Spring trimesters will result in a workload of 35 credits.
 CPSC30050 Organic Agriculture Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students must select a total of 10 credits of optional modules.
Students should note that the recommended workload per trimester is 30 credits. Selecting a 10 credit option module in either the Autumn or Spring trimesters will result in a workload of 35 credits.
 RDEV40050 Economics and Sociology in Rural Development Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students must select a total of 10 credits of optional modules.
Students should note that the recommended workload per trimester is 30 credits. Selecting a 10 credit option module in either the Autumn or Spring trimesters will result in a workload of 35 credits.
 RDEV40560 Agricultural Extension & Innov Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students must select a total of 10 credits of optional modules.
Students should note that the recommended workload per trimester is 30 credits. Selecting a 10 credit option module in either the Autumn or Spring trimesters will result in a workload of 35 credits.
 RDEV40730 Understanding the Family Farm Business Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students must select a total of 10 credits of optional modules.
Students should note that the recommended workload per trimester is 30 credits. Selecting a 10 credit option module in either the Autumn or Spring trimesters will result in a workload of 35 credits.
 RDEV40790 Agricultural Education Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students must select a total of 10 credits of optional modules.
Students should note that the recommended workload per trimester is 30 credits. Selecting a 10 credit option module in either the Autumn or Spring trimesters will result in a workload of 35 credits.
 ANSC40320 Global Food Systems Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students must select a total of 10 credits of optional modules.
Students should note that the recommended workload per trimester is 30 credits. Selecting a 10 credit option module in either the Autumn or Spring trimesters will result in a workload of 35 credits.
 RDEV40770 Behaviour Change in Agriculture Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students must select a total of 10 credits of optional modules.
Students should note that the recommended workload per trimester is 30 credits. Selecting a 10 credit option module in either the Autumn or Spring trimesters will result in a workload of 35 credits.
 RDEV40840 Rural Placemaking Spring  10

Graduate Profile - Mary Maina

I was working as a fertilizer market analyst at International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) Nairobi, Kenya and felt the MSc (Agr) Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development at UCD offered me an opportunity to acquire the skills needed to assist farmers in

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to address the challenges facing them in sustainably achieving food security.

The MSARD programme offers a unique opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to develop their social skills, to understand sustainability along the agricultural value chain and the immense potential of rural areas beyond agricultural production. The programme is well delivered by experienced lecturers with up-to-date reading materials and well-planned field visits. It allows room for constructive criticism, is very informative and passionately delivered.

My career objective is to enable smallholder farmers to sustainably achieve food security, improve their livelihoods and cope with shocks. This programme has provided me with the initial foundation required to drive my career in my desired direction.

Graduate Profile - Niamh Flannely

After completing my undergrad degree at UCD in Horticulture, Landscape and Sportsturf Management, I successfully secured a place in the MSc (Agr) Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development programme. I had developed a keen interest in food production in the final year of my undergrad. With pressing issues around climate change and food security, the SARD programme gave me the skills and knowledge needed to work within the food production industry.

What I enjoyed most about the programme was the wide range of backgrounds of the students which brought many ideas and experiences from all corners of the world. The quality of modules and lectures were excellent along with topical material, field trips and guest speakers. The modules are valuable in developing your skill sets before you undertake your dissertation where you can focus on your own research interests.

Graduate Diploma Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development (X449) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 6800
nonEU    fee per year - € 19400

GradDip Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development (X450) Part Time
EU          Year 1 - € 3640
nonEU    Year 1 - € 9700
EU          Year 2 - € 3640 aa
nonEU    Year 2 - € 9410

aaSecond Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2025 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2024/25
***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 a minimum of a second class honours degree, or international equivalent, in a range of subject areas.
  • ​Applications are welcome from people from a broad range of disciplinary backgrounds including humanities, sciences and business who are interested in pursuing careers in the broad arena of rural and community development.
  • Exceptions may be made for applicants who do not hold the minimum educational requirement if they can demonstrate substantial relevant professional or voluntary experience.
  • 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.
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 Grad Dip Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development welcomes applicants from people from a broad range of disciplinary backgrounds including humanities, sciences and business who are interested in pursuing careers in the broad arena of rural and community development.


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Graduate Diploma Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt X449
Graduate Diploma Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development
Graduate Diploma
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
 Graduate Taught Closed
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt X450
Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development
Graduate Diploma
Part-Time
Commencing September 2024
 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsClosed
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt X449
Graduate Diploma Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development
Graduate Diploma
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Graduate Taught Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt X450
Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development
Graduate Diploma
Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page
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