Programme Overview:
- Duration:
- 1 Years / 2 Years
- Attendance:
- Full Time / Part Time
- Mode of Delivery:
- Face-to-Face
- Next Intake:
- 2024/2025 September
- Contact Name:
- Catherine Byrne
- Contact Number:
- +353 (0)1 716 7192
- Fees:
- Fee Information
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.
Graduates from this programme will be equipped with the required skills and knowledge base to develop careers in the broad arena of sustainable agriculture and rural development in Ireland or Internationally in both the public and private sector.
Graduates typically find employment in government, agricultural and rural development agencies, local development agencies, NGOs involved in rural development, as well as donor agencies and international development organisations.
Graduate Roles
Curricular information is subject to change
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. 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.
The Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development offers an oppurtunity for students to equip themselves with some the requisite skills and knowledge base to develop careers in the broad arena of rural and community development. The goal of the programmes is to prepare graduates for roles in local, national and international development settings. This is achieved by strengthening their 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.
GradDip Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development (X449) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 6630
nonEU fee per year - € 19400
GradDip Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development (X450) Part Time
EU Year 1 - € 3550
nonEU Year 1 - € 9700
EU Year 2 - € 3550 aa
nonEU Year 2 - € 9410
aaSecond Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2024 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2023/24
***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.
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.
The following entry routes are available:
* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised