Sustainable Food Systems
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BSc (NFQ Level 8)
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Irish/UK/EU Applicant
International (non-EU) Applicant
Internships Opportunity
Study Abroad
Scholarships Available
Sustainable Development Goals
This course is available through the following application route(s)
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Direct entry to DN261FSS6 Sustainable Food Systems (BSc) 4 Years
Duration: : 4 Years
Attendance: : Full Time
Delivery: : On Campus
NFQ Level: : 8 (240 credits)
Level: : Undergraduate
Award: : Bachelor of Science
Next Intake: : September
General Entry Requirements (A-Level) : BBC / BCCC / BCC +
C AS Level
General Entry Requirements (IB) : 29
Subject Requirements (Mathematics) : GCSE C / AS Level D/
A Level E\
IB SL 4 / HL 3
Subject Requirements (Laboratory Science) : GCSE C / AS Level D/
A Level E\
IB SL 4 / HL 3
CAO Points 2025 : 466
Leaving Cert Subject Entry Requirements : O6/H7 in English, Irish, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject and two other recognised subjects.
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 Sustainable Food System degree is for students interested and passionate about the three pillars of Sustainability (environmental, economic, and social) and how they apply to all components of the food chain. This course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the entire food chain, from on farm production to human consumption and the scientific principles underpinning it. It will explore the complex challenge of sustainably producing food to meet the nutritional requirements of a growing world population while protecting the planet’s limited natural resources.
About This Course
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Why is this course for me?
The Sustainable Food System degree is for students interested and passionate about the three pillars of Sustainability (environmental, economic, and social) and how they apply to all components of the food chain. This course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the entire food chain, from on farm production to human consumption and the scientific principles underpinning it. It will explore the complex challenge of sustainably producing food to meet the nutritional requirements of a growing world population while protecting the planet’s limited natural resources.
Skills to analyse and evaluate the sustainability of food systems will be developed and how to apply knowledge learned to a practical real-world industry setting through engagement with peers, lectures, and professional work experience. Whether interested in farming, food processing, food policy or the environment, this course will provide students with a holistic understanding of the food system in conjunction with the tools to contribute to the future of how we produce, distribute, and consume food in a sustainable way.
Course Pathways
Click here to Download Course Pathways document.
What Will I Study?
In first and second year, students will focus on the development of the key basic sciences that underpin food systems. Students will also be introduced to some of the core concepts relating to Sustainable Food Systems. Students will have option and elective modules in addition to core modules (examples of such are included below):
First & Second Year
Introduction to • Chemistry • Mathematics for Agriculture • Introduction to Sustainability • Land Use and the Environment • Introduction to Agricultural Economics and Business • Food and Planet • Animal Biology and Evolution • Plants and People • Food Diet and Health • Food Systems-Industry • Principles of Crop Science • Forests, Climate and Carbon • Sustainable Animal Production • Social Science, Food Culture and Traditions
Third & Fourth Year
Third and fourth year will focus on data analysis, agri-food policy and concepts such as Circular Bioeconomy and One Health and how they apply to Sustainable Food Systems (examples included below). Students will have option and elective modules to choose from to allow them learn more about areas of specific interest to them.
Environmental Data and Modelling • Food Poverty and Policy • Agri-Environmental Issues and Policy • Circular Bioeconomy • Agrichemicals and the Environment • Climate, Carbon, and Soil • Scientific Writing and Review • Sustainable Food Packaging and Waste Management • Life Cycle Assessment • Developments in Food Systems • Food Chain Integrity • One Health: Plants, Animals, Humans, Environment • Sustainability in the Human Diet • Sustainable Food Systems Project.
Professional Work Experience (PWE)
A 16-weeks period of structured professional work experience takes place in third year. Assisted by a dedicated lecturer, students arrange this industry placements themselves. The industry placement is an excellent opportunity to get new experiences, make industry contacts, and put theory from classes to practical use.
International Study Opportunities
You can elect to study abroad for one trimester in year three. There are 25 partner universities as part of the School’s Semester Abroad Programme including Universities such as Lincoln University, Massey University, Michigan State University, Purdue University and University of California (UC Davis).
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
Sustainable Food Systems highlight practices that conserve natural resources, reduce waste, support biodiversity, enhance resilience to climate change, and foster social equity. Graduates of the Sustainability programme will be in great demand across the entire food system including in food processing, retail, distribution, sales and marketing, public sector (government departments, county councils, European agencies, international agencies), farm bodies, policy agencies, NGO and as entrepreneurs.
Student Internships
A 16-weeks period of structured professional work experience takes place in third year. Assisted by a dedicated lecturer, students arrange this industry placements themselves. This placement may be taken abroad if a suitable placement can be secured. The industry placement is an excellent opportunity get new experiences, make industry contacts, and put theory from classes to practical use.
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Other Entry Routes
View All Modules
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 | AESC10010 | Land Use and the Environment | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 1 Core Modules | CHEM00020 | Introductory Chemistry | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 1 Core Modules | MATH10230 | Mathematics for Agriculture I | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 1 Core Modules | RDEV10020 | Information Skills | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 1 Core Modules | RDEV10030 | Introduction to Agricultural Economics and Business | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 1 Core Modules | SUST10010 | Introduction to Sustainability | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 1 Core Modules | BIOL10010 | Animal Biology and Evolution | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 1 Core Modules | CPSC10010 | Introduction to Crop Science | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 1 Core Modules | FDSC10030 | Our Food, Our Planet: Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 1 Core Modules | HORT10020 | Plants and People | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Please choose ONE of the below modules to make up the additional 5 credits required for the Spring Trimester. One further module may be taken from this list in place of your 5 credit Spring elective if you wish. | FDSC10010 | Food Diet and Health | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
| Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Please choose ONE of the below modules to make up the additional 5 credits required for the Spring Trimester. One further module may be taken from this list in place of your 5 credit Spring elective if you wish. | ANSC10010 | Introduction to Animal Science | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Please choose ONE of the below modules to make up the additional 5 credits required for the Spring Trimester. One further module may be taken from this list in place of your 5 credit Spring elective if you wish. | PHYC10190 | Aspects of Physics for Ag. Sci | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | AERD20030 | Business Management | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | AESC20060 | Soil Science Basics | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | FDSC20010 | Food Macronutrients | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | FOR20100 | Applied Biostatistics | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | MICR20010 | Agricultural Microbiology | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | FDSC20110 | Food Diet and Health II - Making Healthy Food Choices | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | ANSC20050 | Principles of Dairy Production | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | HORT10040 | Introduction to Sustainable Horticulture | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | RDEV20140 | Health, Welfare & Safety in Agriculture | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | SUST20020 | Communication in Sustainability | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: Choose one option module in Spring trimester. | CPSC20030 | Principles of Crop Science | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: Choose one option module in Spring trimester. | HORT10030 | Plant-based Diets | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of: The following modules are closely related to your programme; one may be taken instead of a 5-credit elective. | AESC30110 | Diversity in the Rural Landscape | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of: The following modules are closely related to your programme; one may be taken instead of a 5-credit elective. | FOR20120 | Apiculture - bees, pollination and people | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of: The following modules are closely related to your programme; one may be taken instead of a 5-credit elective. | ANSC20020 | Animal Nutrition I | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of: The following modules are closely related to your programme; one may be taken instead of a 5-credit elective. | CPSC20030 | Principles of Crop Science | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of: The following modules are closely related to your programme; one may be taken instead of a 5-credit elective. | FOR20110 | Forests, Climate and Carbon | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of: The following modules are closely related to your programme; one may be taken instead of a 5-credit elective. | HORT10030 | Plant-based Diets | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of: The following modules are closely related to your programme; one may be taken instead of a 5-credit elective. | RDEV20030 | Applied Economic Analysis | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | AESC30250 | Environmental Data and Modelling | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | CPSC30050 | Organic Agriculture | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | RDEV30160 | Food Poverty and Policy | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | RDEV30380 | Knowledge Tfr for Farm Innovat | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | RDEV40830 | Farm Diversification and Land Use Change | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | AESC30010 | Scientific Writing and Review | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | AESC30230 | Climate, Carbon and Soil | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 3 Options - A)1 of: Choose 1 | AESC30160 | Agrichemicals and the Environment | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 3 Options - A)1 of: Choose 1 | FDSC30230 | Plant-based Foods &Ingredients | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 3 Options - B)1 of: Option (5 ) and Electives | AESC40660 | Plants, Roots and Productivity | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Options - B)1 of: Option (5 ) and Electives | ANSC30020 | Animal Breeding I | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Options - B)1 of: Option (5 ) and Electives | ANSC30120 | Non-ruminant Animal Production (Swine & Poultry) | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Options - B)1 of: Option (5 ) and Electives | ANSC30170 | Animal Physiology I | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Options - B)1 of: Option (5 ) and Electives | HORT40130 | Fruit & Postharvest Physiology | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | BSEN30360 | Life Cycle Assessment | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | BSEN40410 | Food Chain Integrity | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | FDSC40030 | Food Process Technology I | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | FDSC40980 | Sustainability in Diet | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | PHPS40230 | One Health | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - A)1 of: Choose 1 | FDSC30150 | Principles of Meat Science | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - A)1 of: Choose 1 | FDSC40080 | Milk and Dairy Products | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - B)1 of: Choose 1 (timeclash) | AERD40190 | Agri-Environmental Economics and Policy | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - B)1 of: Choose 1 (timeclash) | FDSC40620 | Design Thinking for Food Packaging | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - C)1 of: Option/suggest electives (10c) | ANSC30400 | Beef Production | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - C)1 of: Option/suggest electives (10c) | CPSC40010 | Cereal Production | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - C)1 of: Option/suggest electives (10c) | ANSC20010 | Genetics and Biotechnology | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - C)1 of: Option/suggest electives (10c) | ANSC30130 | Principles of Animal Health, Behaviour and Welfare | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - C)1 of: Option/suggest electives (10c) | ANSC30390 | Sheep Production | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - C)1 of: Option/suggest electives (10c) | CPSC40040 | Developments in Grassland | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - C)1 of: Option/suggest electives (10c) | RDEV30060 | Professional Communications | Spring | 5 |
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How this degree contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals?
Sustainable Food Systems highlights practices that conserve natural resources, reduce waste, support biodiversity, enhance resilience to climate change, and foster social equity. This vision of sustainability fits very closely with the expertise within the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science where the teaching and research programmes span the entire food chain, from on-farm food production to human nutrition and health, providing a diverse range of career opportunities for graduates in Ireland and internationally. The mission of the school is to develop and apply the science and scholarship of agriculture, food, environmental sciences, and rural development for the benefit of society through excellence in education, research, innovation and continuing professional development.
The Sustainable Food Systems Programme at UCD has been designed to develop knowledge of food production systems, policy, principles, practices, and technologies alongside developing students understanding of the three pillars of sustainability and the impacts on food production and consumption. In addition to this the programme relates to the relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s):
- No Poverty (SDG 1)
- No Hunger (SDG 2)
- Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
- Climate Action (SDG 13)
- Life Below Water (SDG 14)
- Life on Land (SDG 15)
Testimonial
It is a really exciting time to be launching a new Sustainable Food Systems degree programme as food companies all over the world are building out sustainability teams in order to meet their sustainability goals. My role for example as sustainable nutrition manager in Kerry Group did not exist 3 years ago and there are lots of opportunities to get involved in this new and exciting time.
Aoife Marie Murphy, Graduate
Fees, Funding and Scholarships
Non-EU Undergraduate Fee information can be found here.
UCD offers a number of competitive undergraduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD undergraduate degree programme. For information on Undergraduate Scholarships, please see the UCD International Scholarships webpage.
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Sustainable Food Systems:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceInt | FSS6 Sustainable Food Systems Bachelor of Science Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Undergraduate Degree (Non EU) Non EU Undergraduates Apply |
| showAudience-audienceEU | DN261 Sustainable Food Systems Bachelor of Science Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Application through CAO Apply via CAO |
* you can change options at the top of the page
Further Information
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