Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development

This Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) programme at UCD responds to the new agenda for agriculture and rural area development. It represents a return to core values in the development of rural areas which are rooted in agricultural change as well as responding to new societal demands such as safe and ethically produced food, a healthier environment and sustainable and affordable energy. These issues are relevant in both Ireland, industrialised countries and in the developing world.



This programme prepares graduates for roles of leadership, advocacy and influence in local, national and international development settings. This is achieved by strengthening capabilities in the relevant analytical, communications and entrepreneurship skills, underpinned by the provision of an enhanced understanding of the theory, policy and practice of rural development.



The learning environment fosters individual and group-based activities, which develop students’ skills of inquiry, critical thinking, self-directed and collaborative learning. A variety of teaching and learning approaches are used including group project work, student presentations, individual assignments, field trips and case study work.



Graduates are awarded a 60-credit Graduate Diploma, NFQ Level 9.



The modules in this course comprise part of a more extensive graduate programme in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development. Students who complete the Graduate Diploma course can build on this course in future years to obtain a Masters Degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development.



What Will I Learn?

• Demonstrate enhanced problem-solving skills for application to issues in agriculture and rural development and the ability to formulate/evaluate potential solutions

• Plan and implement strategic communications campaigns in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) settings

• Understand and interpret strategies applied in achieving the objectives of SARD in Irish, EU and internationally

• Understand the nature and practice of rural diversification

• Understand the context within which sustainable agriculture and rural development related policies are devised

• Understand the key principles and practices that make agriculture sustainable.



NFQ Level: 9 (60 credits)

Level: Graduate Taught

Award: Graduate Diploma

Stage 1 Core Modules

RDEV40450: Research Methods Part I

RDEV40490: Sustainable Agriculture

RDEV40780: Community-Led Local Development

RDEV40150: Policies & Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development

RDEV40300: Theory & Practice of Rural Enterprises

RDEV40460: Research Methods Part II



Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:

Students must select a total of 10 credits of optional modules.

Students should note that the recommended workload per trimester is 30 credits. Selecting a 10 credit option module in either the Autumn or Spring trimesters will result in a workload of 35 credits.

CPSC30050: Organic Agriculture

RDEV40050: Economics and Sociology in Rural Development

RDEV40560: Agricultural Extension & Innov

RDEV40730: Understanding the Family Farm Business

RDEV40790: Agricultural Education

ANSC40320: Global Food Systems

RDEV40770: Behaviour Change in Agriculture

RDEV40840: Rural Placemaking

Applicants must hold a minimum of a second class honours degree, or international equivalent, in a range of subject areas.



Applications are welcome from people from a broad range of disciplinary backgrounds including humanities, sciences and business who are interested in pursuing careers in the broad arena of rural and community development.



Exceptions may be made for applicants who do not hold the minimum educational requirement if they can demonstrate substantial relevant professional or voluntary experience.



Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme.



Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page (https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax) for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

60

Delivery: On Campus

X449: 1 year full-time

X450: 2 years part-time.

GradDip Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development (X449) Full Time

EU fee per year - €5,600

non EU fee per year - €16,535


GradDip Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development (X450) Part Time

EU Year 1 - €3,000

EU Year 2 - €3,000 aa

non EU Year 1 - €8,265

non EU Year 2 - €8,070


aaSecond Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2019 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2018/19

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

X449: Graduate Diploma Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development

Full-Time: Commencing September 2025



X450: Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development

Graduate Diploma

Part-Time: Commencing September 2025



Graduate Taught