Agri-Environmental Sciences
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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 DN250ESS1 Agri-Environmental Sciences (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 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
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.
If you are passionate about environmental sustainability and interested in the intersection of agriculture and environmental management, the Agri-Environmental Sciences programme may be the perfect fit for you! This specialist applied science degree will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to make a meaningful impact in the fields of agriculture and environmental management.
About This Course
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Why is this course for me?
If you are passionate about environmental sustainability and interested in the intersection of agriculture and environmental management, the Agri-Environmental Sciences programme may be the perfect fit for you! This specialist applied science degree will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to make a meaningful impact in the fields of agriculture and environmental management. Through a combination of classroom learning, practical field experience, and professional work placements, you will gain a deep understanding of rural environmental issues, sustainable agriculture practices, and the policies and schemes that protect our natural resources.
Course Pathways
Click here to Download Course Pathways document.
What Will I Study?
First Year
Animal Biology & Evolution • Introductory Chemistry • Mathematics for Agriculture • Physics for Agricultural Science • Land Use & the Environment • Introduction to Biomolecules • Cell & Plant Biology • Information Skills • Optional Modules including Agricultural Economics & Business
Second Year
Focuses on the principles of crop and animal production and applied agri-environmental sciences. Modules include: Diversity in the Rural Landscape • Agricultural Botany • Soil Science • Applied Zoology • Microbiology • Introductions to Crop & Animal Science. On completion of second year, you develop field skills through a weeklong residential field course in the Burren, Co. Clare.
Third & Fourth Year
Focuses on environmental management in agriculture (e.g. soils, nutrients, pests and diseases). You will develop practical field and lab-based skills e.g. GIS, and study policies, schemes and practices to protect rural environments.
In fourth year, you complete advanced modules in agri-environmental management, environmental data and modelling, rural conservation and sustainable agriculture, and you conduct a supervised research project and produce a thesis. This provides an opportunity to study a topic of your own choice more deeply, and gain practical experience of research and scientific writing.
Students spend an average of 40 hours per week attending lectures, tutorials and laboratory-based practical classes, and in undertaking independent study. A combination of continuous assessment and end-of-trimester written examinations is used. A number of modules also involve written assignments and/or project-based work.
Professional Work Experience (PWE)
A 16-week period of structured PWE takes place in third year. Assisted by a dedicated lecturer, students arrange placements on farms, environmental agencies and companies. This is a fantastic chance 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, at universities including:
- Cornell University, USA
- University of California, USA
- Kansas State University, USA
- University of Queensland, Australia
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
Many graduates follow career paths as environmental advisors, planners or consultants. Others work in State agencies that require both agricultural and environmental management skills, including:
- Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine
- Teagasc
- Environmental Protection Agency
- National Parks & Wildlife Service
- Local Authorities
A high proportion of AES graduates go on to further studies at postgraduate level.
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 | 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 | RDEV10040 | Introduction to Food and Agribusiness Management | 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 Autumn Trimester. | FOR10020 | Trees and Forests in Ireland | Autumn | 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 Autumn Trimester. | RDEV10030 | Introduction to Agricultural Economics and Business | Autumn | 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 Autumn Trimester. | FDSC10030 | Our Food, Our Planet: Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Choose TWO 5 credit electives from any available modules across UCD or consider the following modules that are closely related to your programme and may be taken in place of electives. | CPSC10010 | Introduction to Crop Science | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Choose TWO 5 credit electives from any available modules across UCD or consider the following modules that are closely related to your programme and may be taken in place of electives. | HORT10020 | Plants and People | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Choose TWO 5 credit electives from any available modules across UCD or consider the following modules that are closely related to your programme and may be taken in place of electives. | PHYC10190 | Aspects of Physics for Ag. Sci | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | AESC20060 | Soil Science Basics | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | AESC30110 | Diversity in the Rural Landscape | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | FOR20100 | Applied Biostatistics | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | HORT20070 | Agricultural Botany | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | MICR20010 | Agricultural Microbiology | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | AESC20050 | Applied Zoology | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | ANSC10010 | Introduction to Animal Science | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | ANSC20010 | Genetics and Biotechnology | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | CPSC20030 | Principles of Crop Science | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | ENVB20050 | Principles of Environmental Biology & Ecology | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Core Modules | RDEV20140 | Health, Welfare & Safety in Agriculture | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: Students must take an elective credit or an option module listed - worth five (5) credits. | AERD20030 | Business Management | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: Students must take an elective credit or an option module listed - worth five (5) credits. | FOR20120 | Apiculture - bees, pollination and people | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | AESC30170 | Professional Work Experience | 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum) | 10 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | AESC30080 | Agri-Environmental Issues and Policy | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | AESC30100 | Pests, Parasites and Beneficials | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | AESC30220 | Soil Science Applications | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | BIOL30010 | Plant Diseases: Biology and Control | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | ENVB30010 | Systems Ecology | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | AESC30010 | Scientific Writing and Review | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | AESC30160 | Agrichemicals and the Environment | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 3 Core Modules | AESC30230 | Climate, Carbon and Soil | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: Students must take elective credits or the option modules listed amounting to ten (10) credits. | AERD20030 | Business Management | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: Students must take elective credits or the option modules listed amounting to ten (10) credits. | CPSC30100 | Emerging Crop Pathogens | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: Students must take elective credits or the option modules listed amounting to ten (10) credits. | HORT30040 | Landscape Management | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | AESC30250 | Environmental Data and Modelling | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | BIOL40370 | Plant Pathology and Biotechnology | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | CPSC30040 | Grass and Forage Production | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | AESC40140 | Agri-Environmental Nutrient Management | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | AESC40160 | Research Project (AESC) | Spring | 15 |
| Stage 4 Core Modules | AESC40340 | Environmental Management | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - A) Min 2 of: Please select at least 2 of the following 3 option modules. | AESC40150 | Wildlife Conservation | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - A) Min 2 of: Please select at least 2 of the following 3 option modules. | AESC40360 | One Health | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - A) Min 2 of: Please select at least 2 of the following 3 option modules. | AESC40660 | Plants, Roots and Productivity | Autumn | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of: Spring: Students can take one of these option modules or any other elective module worth 5 credits for Stage 4 Spring Trimester | AESC40690 | Ecosystem Monitoring | Spring | 5 |
| Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of: Spring: Students can take one of these option modules or any other elective module worth 5 credits for Stage 4 Spring Trimester | ZOOL40280 | Biological Invasions | Spring | 5 |
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How this degree contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals?
Sustainability is the foundation on which the BAgrSc Agri-Environmental Science (AES) has been designed and developed. We offer a unique educational experience for students who want to develop their scientific understanding of the relationship between agricultural production systems and the wider environment. Our leading experts will empower you to better understand the challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable agricultural systems. We're solution driven; we don’t just identify the challenges, but also identify and discuss various solutions with our students. Key areas of agri-environmental sustainability that we address include - the use of low input, high output multispecies swards, enhancing soil health, nutrient cycling and water quality and the conservation of farmland biodiversity. In doing this, we instil in our students a strong understanding that truly sustainable solutions need to address environmental, economic and social concerns. Ultimately, “solutions” that put farmers out of business are not sustainable solutions.
Specific Sustainable Development Goals addressed within our programme include:
- SDG4 – Quality Education
- SDG6 – Clean water and sanitation
- SDG12 – Responsible consumption and production
- SDG13 – Climate action
- SDG15 – Life on land
Testimonial
Pursuing a degree in Agri-Environmental Sciences was a decision deeply rooted in my passion for both agriculture and the environment and this field of study is more relevant today than ever before. In a generation increasingly defined by the challenges of climate change, depletion of natural resources and escalating global population, the imperative for sustainable agricultural practices, capable of ensuring food security and protecting the environment, became starkly evident to me. Agri-Environmental Science offers the perfect blend of disciplines, which allowed me to explore the complexities of soil science, crop production, environmental and wildlife conservation, climate change and water resource management, to name a few.
Ciara Bolger, Student
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 Agri-Environmental Sciences:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceInt | ESS1 Agri-Environmental Sciences 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 Agri-Environmental Sciences:
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 | ESS1 Agri-Environmental Sciences 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. |
| 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. |
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