Agricultural Biotechnology

Course Overview

Successful MSc graduates will have a deep knowledge, understanding and experience of the use and potential of biotechnology in agriculture, including animal genetics, nutrition and health, crop and feed production, genetic engineering, sustainable food and energy production, bioinformatics and bioremediation.



Graduates will be familiar with all aspects of policy and legislation in relation to this field and will be able to appraise the ethical, social, biosafety and policy implications of existing and emerging technologies. They will be competent in all the relevant data acquisition and numeric methods and have advanced research and communication skills.

The Masters course consists of 8 taught modules and a research project. The Postgraduate Diploma is comprised of the 8 taught modules only.



Modules include:

Animal Biotechnology

Animal Genetics

Crop Biotechnology

Bioremediaton and Bioenergy

Biotechnology in Animal Feeds

Food Biotechnology

Bioinformatics

GIS, Data Management and Statistics

Agricultural Biotechnology Project (M.Sc. only)

- Entrants should have a minimum of a 2nd class honours degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Biotechnology, Food Science or a related area.



- Applicants who do not meet these requirements but have relevant work experience may be assessed for entry in line with the DkIT RPL Policy and Procedures.



- International students must have a minimum level of English equivalent to IELTS 6.5. Candidates may be interviewed.

How To Apply

Apply Directly to DkIT

Apply directly to DkIT using our online applications system (see "Application Weblink" above). Please remember to upload the required documentation (copies of your existing qualification(s), your CV, any other support documents etc) with your online application to expedite your application. To avoid disappointment early registration is recommended.



International Application (non-EU)

International Applicants (not from or living in the EU) can apply through an agent or directly to DkIT to study this course.

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time, On Campus delivery.



Course Delivery

The MSc course is available in full-time mode (2 days per week) or part-time mode (1 day per week over 2 years), followed by the research project.



The Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Biotechnology is also available in full-time (2 days per week) mode or part-time mode (1 day per week over 2 years).



The course involves a blend of classroom and practical hands-on activities. Learning and teaching methods will include lectures, tutorials, master classes, group discussions, laboratory practicals, industrial and farm visits, computational analysis and both individual and group project work.

€7,650 (MSc) / €5,100 (Postgrad. Diploma)

Start Date: September 2025.

Career Opportunities

There are many employment prospects for graduates of these programmes, with past graduates obtaining employment in a variety of sectors. Possible positions of employment include:



- Research positions within Teagasc, Dept. of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or 3rd level institutions;

- Auditors or inspectors in the Agri-Food sector;

- Quality Management / Quality Assurance roles in the Agri-Food industry;

- Scientists/laboratory analysts;

- Food product development scientists.



Education Progression

Graduates of this Programme will be able to progress to level 10 research programmes, both in DkIT and other organisations. Within the Centre for Freshwater and Environmental Studies in DkIT, graduates may avail of Level 9 and 10 research opportunities in the areas of organic waste management and bioenergy.