BSc (Hons) in Agriculture (Sustainable Agriculture/Agri-Food Production)

Year 1

Semester 1

• Animal and Crop Science (Year Long)
• Agricultural Mechanisation and Precision Farming
• Economics and Farm Records
• Physics through PBL and Maths
• Biological and Chemical Sciences

Semester 2

• Farm Facilities and Machinery
• Farm Management and Accounting
• Microbiological and Environmental Sciences
• ICT Applications and Research Skills

Year 2

Semester 1

• Biochemistry and Animal Nutrition
• Quality Assurance
• Grassland and Crop Production (Year Long)
• Statistical Methods for Agriculture
• Farm Business Planning, Analysis and Legal Issues (Year Long)
• Dairy Production

Semester 2

• Food Science
• Health and Safety and Farm Placement
• Beef and Sheep Production

Year 3 - SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE STREAM

Semester 1

• Soil Science
• Financial Management Systems
• Research Methods and GIS
• Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Teamworking (Year Long)
• Processing & Farm Quality Management (Year Long)
• Food Processing, Analysis & Production Management

Semester 2

• Pigs and Poultry Production
• Agriculture in the Environment
• Agricultural Production & Management Systems
• Internship (* work placements available in New Zealand, US, or Europe)

Year 3 - AGRI-FOOD PRODUCTION STREAM

Semester 1

• Soil Science
• Financial Management Systems
• Research Methods and GIS
• Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Teamworking (Year Long)
• Processing & Farm Quality Management (Year Long)
• Food Processing, Analysis & Production Management

Semester 2

• Pigs and Poultry Production
• Agricultural Production & Management Systems
• Process Engineering and Technology
• Agri-Food Internship (* work placements available in New Zealand, US, or Europe)

Year 4 - SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE STREAM

Semester 1

• Environmental Management in the Agri-Food Sector
• Agricultural Policy and Professional Practice
• Agri-Science Project (Year Long)
• Herd Health and Biosecurity
• Value Added Agri-Food Product

Semester 2

• Sustainable Farm Production Systems
• Sustainable Rural Development
• Genetics & Genomics in Agriculture
• Lean: Principles & Methodologies

Year 4  - AGRI-FOOD PRODUCTION STREAM

Semester 1

• Food Analysis
• Environmental Management in the Agri-Food Sector
• Applied Food Processing
• Agri-Food Production Project (Year Long)
• Agri-Food Product Innovation

Semester 2

• Lean: Principles & Methodologies
• Food Chain Integrity and Logistics
• Agri-Food Biotechnology
• Food Packaging and Preservation

* All module titles are subject to change and are for indicative purposes only.

These programmes will be delivered by a range of interactive practical laboratory classes, field trips, site visits and interactive tutorials and lectures.

Practical classes related to animal and crop husbandry will be carried out in Teagasc, Ballyhaise Agricultural College. 

• BSc (Hons) Sustainable Agriculture:

Graduates will have knowledge and appreciation of national and international policy and legislation and will have excellent communication skills, research competence and the ability to respond to the challenges of larger scale, market-led production, alternative rural enterprise and environmental sustainability. Sample job opportunities include, various roles in QA in the food and manufacturing industry, auditors or inspectors in the agri-food sector, rural entrepreneurs, research, food analysts and product development scientists.

• BSc (Hons) Agri-Food Production:

This course will provide graduates with skills and knowledge in the areas of food analysis, packaging, processing, agri-food biotechnology, environmental sustainability, food chain integrity and lean manufacturing. Sample job opportunities include, various roles in QA in the food and manufacturing industry, auditors or inspectors in the agri-food sector, rural entrepreneurs, research, food analysts and product development scientists.

Graduates of this course will have career opportunities in the following areas:

• Postgraduate Research positions;
• Agricultural Advisor with consultancy or state body;
• A commercial farmer or Farm Manager;
• Technical Sales Role;
• Analytical or Research Scientist in the Agri-Environmental Management Sector;
• Quality Manager or Production Supervisor in the Food
• Industry Rural Entrepreneur
• Manufacturing - Food or Beverages;
• Auditors or inspectors in the Agri-Food sector;
• Rural entrepreneurs (e.g. artisan food products, etc.);
• Production Supervisors and analysts in the Food Processing Sector;
• Quality Management / Quality Assurance roles in the Agri-Food industry;
• Food product development scientists.

Learners who have completed 1, 2 or 3 years of a cognate (Agriculture/equivalent) programme may be considered for advanced entry to the 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of this programme, subject to availability of places.

Learners who have completed a QQI FET Advanced Level 6 programme in Agriculture may be considered for entry to the 2nd year of this programme, subject to the availability of places. Candidates will be required to attend for interview.

Graduates can progress to the M.Sc. in Agricultural Biotechnology in DkIT or to postgraduate research positions in DkIT or other Institutions.

Please find information on fees and funding here: www.dkit.ie/fees

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements:

Six Grades at O6 or H7 in Leaving Certificate

→ INCLUDING At least two H5 Grades
→ AND Mathematics Grade O6 or H7
→ AND English Grade O6 or H7 OR Irish Grade O6 or H7

Northern Ireland/UK Entry Requirements:

Applicants must meet the matriculation requirement of 6 different subjects which must include:

→ Mathematics at GCSE (Grade A* - C) or better
→ English (or Irish) at GCSE (Grade A* - C) or better
→ Two subjects at either:

• ‘A Level’ (Grade A* - C)
• AND/OR Applied A-Level (Grade A* - C)
• AND/OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma) (Grade Merit or Distinction).
• AND/OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma) (Grade Merit or Distinction)
• OR BTEC National Level 3 Diploma (Grade min: MM)
• OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (Grade min: MM)
• OR BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma (Grade min: MMP)

→ The remaining subjects must be different from that presented above and may be drawn from recognised subjects at:

• GCSE (Grade A* - C)
• AND/OR AS Level’ (Grades A - E)
• AND/OR A-level’ (Grades A* - E)
• AND/OR Applied ‘A-level’ (Grade A* - E)
• AND/OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
• AND/OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).

International Students:

• International students must have a minimum level of English equivalent to IELTS 6.0 A Leaving Certificate or A-level science subject is not required but is recommended.

Mature Students:

• For information relating to Mature Applicants please click here.  

There are two work placements in Stages 2 and 3 of both programmes. The work placements offer students excellent opportunities to apply their learning to real-world settings and develop both subject-specific and general employability skills. 

Stage 2 placement is usually on a Host Farm and is of 8-week duration. Stage 3 placement can be in an agri-food industry or large farming enterprise. This placement is 12 weeks in duration and can be completed abroad.

This course is suitable for students interested in the area of agriculture and agri-food. These programmes give you a broad knowledge of the science and business of agricultural and agri-food enterprises and is suitable for students who enjoy a mixture of outdoor and indoor classroom settings.  

Dr Siobhán Jordan (Acting Head of Department of Agriculture, Food and Animal Health)
Email: siobhan.jordan@dkit.ie