Animal Science
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BAgrSc (NFQ Level 8)
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Irish/UK/EU Applicant
International (non-EU) Applicant
Study Abroad
Scholarships Available
Sustainable Development Goals
This course is available through the following application route(s)
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Direct entry to DN250ANS1 Animal Science (BAgrSc) 4 Years
Duration: : 4 Years
Attendance: : Full Time
Delivery: : On Campus
NFQ Level: : 8 (240 credits)
Level: : Undergraduate
Award: : Bachelor of Agricultural Science
Next Intake: : September
General Entry Requirements (A-Level) : BCC / CCCD / CCC
+ C AS Level
General Entry Requirements (IB) : 27
Subject Requirements (Mathematics) : GCSE C / A Level E
(or AS Level D)
IB SL4 / HL3
Subject Requirements (Laboratory Science) : GCSE C / A Level E
(or AS Level D)
IB SL 4 / HL 3
CAO Points 2025 : 431
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.
Entry via DN250UAS1 Agricultural Science (BAgrSc) 4 Years
Duration: : 4 Years
Attendance: : Full Time
Delivery: : On Campus
NFQ Level: : 8 (240 credits)
Level: : Undergraduate
Award: : Bachelor of Agricultural Science
Next Intake: : September
General Entry Requirements (A-Level) : CCC + D AS Level
General Entry Requirements (IB) : 27
Subject Requirements (Mathematics) : GCSE C / AS Level D / A Level E\ IB SL 4 / HL 3
Subject Requirements (Laboratory Science) : GCSE C / A Level E
(or AS Level D)\
IB SL 4 / HL 3
CAO Points 2025 : 431
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
Read more about Agricultural Science
Curricular information is subject to change.
UCD’s Animal Science programme is a four-year degree that delves into the applied sciences necessary for understanding how animals function and the principles of livestock production. You will explore the growth, development, and behaviour of domestic animals, and the fundamentals of sustainable animal production systems. Modules include animal biology, genetics, biotechnology, nutrition, and more.
About This Course
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Why is this course for me?
UCD’s Animal Science programme is a four-year degree that delves into the applied sciences necessary for understanding how animals function and the principles of livestock production. You will explore the growth, development, and behaviour of domestic animals, and the fundamentals of sustainable animal production systems. Modules include animal biology, genetics, biotechnology, nutrition, and more.
In the later years of the course, you will attend classes at UCD Lyons Farm to gain hands-on practical experience, visit relevant industries and agricultural events and complete a five-month Professional Work Experience placement. With opportunities to study abroad and a range of career options in animal health, breeding, enterprise management, and more, this degree is the perfect choice for anyone passionate about farm animals and their role in agriculture.
Course Pathways
Click here to Download Course Pathways document.
What Will I Study?
You begin with introductory modules designed to give you a broad foundation in the science subjects as they relate to domestic farm animals. As you progress, you will study animal physiology, nutrition, genetics and breeding and how these sciences are integrated to optimise animal health and productivity. You will have the opportunity to select elective modules according to your interests. Professional Work Experience in Stage 3 will provide you with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in livestock production enterprises in Ireland or abroad to prepare you for final year.
First Year
Animal Biology & Evolution • Introductory Chemistry • Mathematics for Agriculture • Physics for Agricultural Science • Agricultural Economics & Business • Introduction to Biomolecules • Cell & Plant Biology • Information Skills • Optional Modules
Second Year
Genetics & Biotechnology • Animal Nutrition • Biostatistics • Business Management • Agricultural Microbiology • Elective Modules
Third Year
Animal Reproduction • Animal Breeding • Animal Physiology • Animal Genomics • Professional Work Experience (PWE)
Fourth Year
Dairy Production • Beef Production • Sheep Production • Non-Ruminant Animal Production (Swine, Poultry) • Animal Health, Behaviour & Welfare • Grass & Forage Production
Students spend an average of 40 hours a week attending lectures and tutorials and participating in laboratory-based practicals, and undertake independent study. In the final two years, students make regular visits to UCD Lyons Farm to get hands-on practical experience. A combination of continuous assessment and end-of-trimester written examinations is used. Certain modules also involve project work.
Professional Work Experience (PWE)
A five-month PWE placement takes place in third year and may be taken as a combination of on-farm, agribusiness and research centre placements.
International Study Opportunities
An opportunity exists to study abroad for a trimester in third year. Possibilities include:
• University of Illinois, USA\ • Kansas State University, USA\ • Michigan State University, USA\ • Purdue University, USA\ • University of Queensland, Australia
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
A wide range of career opportunities are available to graduates of Animal Science. These include entry into graduate study leading to Masters and Ph.D. degrees and a career in research, and/or in the Animal Health and Pharmaceutical Industry, Animal Breeding and Genetics, Animal feed industry, Procurement, processing and marketing of animal products, Education, Consultancy, Farming and enterprise management, and Journalism.
Other Entry Routes
- Level 5/6 QQI-FET
- Open Learning Entry Route
- Mature Entry Route
- DARE Entry Route
- HEAR Entry Route
- University Access
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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 | PHYC10180 | Physics for Ag. Science | 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 | ANSC10010 | Introduction to Animal Science | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 1 Core Modules | BIOL10010 | Animal Biology and Evolution | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 1 Core Modules | BIOL10030 | Cell and Plant Biology | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 1 Core Modules | CHEM10010 | Introduction to the Chemistry of Biomolecules | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 1 Core Modules | CPSC10010 | Introduction to Crop Science | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of an elective in Trimester 2 - Spring. | FDSC10030 | Our Food, Our Planet: Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of an elective in Trimester 2 - Spring. | PHYC10190 | Aspects of Physics for Ag. Sci | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of an elective in Trimester 2 - Spring. | RDEV10040 | Introduction to Food and Agribusiness Management | 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 | FOR20100 | Applied Biostatistics | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | MICR20010 | Agricultural Microbiology | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | ANSC20010 | Genetics and Biotechnology | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | ANSC20020 | Animal Nutrition I | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | BSEN30020 | Buildings and Environment | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | FDSC20100 | Agricultural Biochemistry | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | RDEV20140 | Health, Welfare & Safety in Agriculture | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives | BIOL20050 | Climate Change and Agriculture | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives | BSEN30170 | Agricultural Mechanisation: Engines and Crop Machinery | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives | FDSC20010 | Food Macronutrients | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives | AESC20050 | Applied Zoology | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives | CPSC20020 | Fundamentals of Arable Crop Production | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Options - B) Min 1 of: Students must select one of the following 2 modules | HORT20070 | Agricultural Botany | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 2 Options - B) Min 1 of: Students must select one of the following 2 modules | CPSC20030 | Principles of Crop Science | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | ANSC30010 | Animal Reproduction | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | ANSC30020 | Animal Breeding I | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | ANSC30030 | Animal Genomics | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | ANSC30040 | Animal Nutrition II | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | ANSC30170 | Animal Physiology I | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | ENVB30110 | Food Microbiology | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | ANSC30050 | Experimental Design and Data Analysis | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | ANSC30070 | Professional Work Experience | Spring | 10 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | ANSC30150 | Animal Physiology II | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives | AESC30080 | Agri-Environmental Issues and Policy | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives | BSEN30170 | Agricultural Mechanisation: Engines and Crop Machinery | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives | CPSC30050 | Organic Agriculture | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives | RDEV30380 | Knowledge Tfr for Farm Innovat | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives | AESC30010 | Scientific Writing and Review | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives | AESC30160 | Agrichemicals and the Environment | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives | AESC30230 | Climate, Carbon and Soil | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives | ANSC30100 | Applied Biotechnology | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives | ANSC30340 | Equine Reproduction and Breeding Management | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | AERD30190 | Farm Business Management | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | ANSC30120 | Non-ruminant Animal Production (Swine & Poultry) | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | ANSC30400 | Beef Production | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | ANSC30410 | Dairy Production | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | CPSC30040 | Grass and Forage Production | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | AERD30210 | Food and Agricultural Policy | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | ANSC30130 | Principles of Animal Health, Behaviour and Welfare | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | ANSC30390 | Sheep Production | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | RDEV30060 | Professional Communications | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students must select at least one module. Additional modules may be taken in place of electives | FDSC30150 | Principles of Meat Science | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students must select at least one module. Additional modules may be taken in place of electives | AESC40140 | Agri-Environmental Nutrient Management | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students must select at least one module. Additional modules may be taken in place of electives | ANSC30380 | Animal Science Industries | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students must select at least one module. Additional modules may be taken in place of electives | ANSC40040 | Advanced Dairy Production | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students must select at least one module. Additional modules may be taken in place of electives | CPSC40040 | Developments in Grassland | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students must select at least one module. Additional modules may be taken in place of electives | CPSC40050 | Devs in Crop Production & Util | Spring | 5 |
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How this degree contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals?
The Animal Science Programme at UCD has been designed according to best international standards to educate you with a comprehensive knowledge of farm animals (their basic biology, development, genetics, genomics, physiology, nutritional requirements and health and welfare) and the fundamentals of sustainable livestock production. Our students develop a deep understanding of efficient sustainable livestock and forage production and their application to modern agriculture, in our changing climate. They are encouraged to develop as responsible Scientists able to communicate their knowledge of livestock, the land and commercial production and relate it to Irish and Global Agriculture.
The Animal Science Degree 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 on Land (SDG 15)
Testimonial
I always had an interest in Agriculture in school from a very young age - I’m from a Dairy farm in Galway. When I didn’t get the points in my Leaving Cert I went the FETEC QQI alternative route entry where I did laboratory science in Galway for one year which I thoroughly enjoyed. During my placement, I worked in a wide range of fields including poultry, pigs, and sheep including spending two months on a progressive large-scale dairy, tillage, and beef finishing unit in the UK. I also completed a placement with industry leaders Roche’s Feeds and Dawn Meats which gave me a great insight into the agricultural industry.
Kayla Tarpey, 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 Animal Science:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceInt | ANS1 Animal Science Bachelor of Agricultural Science Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Undergraduate Degree (Non EU) Non EU Undergraduates Apply |
| showAudience-audienceInt | UAS1 Agricultural Science Bachelor of Agricultural Science Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Undergraduate Degree (Non EU) Non EU Undergraduates Apply |
| showAudience-audienceEU | DN250 Agricultural Science Bachelor of Agricultural Science Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Application through CAO Apply via CAO |
* you can change options at the top of the page
Additional special entry route(s) to Animal Science:
These options have additional eligibility requirements to cater for specific applicant cohorts. You should not apply via these routes before consulting the requirements or contacting the responsible UCD office.
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceInt | UAS1 Agricultural Science Bachelor of Agricultural Science Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Access Progression Pathway Access Progression Pathway Apply Application to this Non-EU Access Progression Pathway is by invitation only. If you are not currently enrolled on an Access programme at UCD, your application will be marked as invalid. If you are not a current Access student, but you are a non-EU applicant seeking admission to an undergraduate degree, please submit an application via the "Undergraduate Degree (Non-EU)" course type. |
Further Information
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