UCD is seen as the mecca for the study of agricultural science in Ireland, with an entire faculty devoted to the subject – the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science. There are almost 1,400 (undergraduate, graduate taught and graduate research) students in the school and points for the general agricultural science programme have jumped from 310 in 2004 to 455 in 2013 – that’s an increase of 47% in less than a decade.

It’s the only university that runs Level 8 programmes – and a lot of them at that. In fact, it is the only college in the country where you can enter a Level 8 agricultural science programme directly through the CAO. All the other Level 8 courses are available as add-on degrees only.

Other entry routes

ADVERTISEMENT

So what if you don’t get the points but you really want to go to UCD? Are there other ways of getting there?

Yes. The general theory behind the National Framework of Qualifications is that you can progress from Level 6, to Level 7, to Level 8 courses.

But is it guaranteed that you’ll eventually get a place on your desired course? No. However, there are some very structured progression routes between certain courses in particular colleges, and this is very much the case in UCD.

In Table 1 we have detailed particular courses in institutions across the country, the graduates of which are eligible to apply for a place on particular UCD agricultural science programmes, provided they have met the required academic standard (Merit 1, Merit 2 or Distinction). Candidates will enter into third year of their programme in UCD, with the exception of candidates coming from the Higher Certificate (HC) in Agriculture (first row) who will enter second year in UCD. However, be aware that nothing is absolutely guaranteed. Entry into UCD programmes from the courses listed in Table 1 will be subject to availability of places at the time, but UCD says it has not yet turned away students coming from these programmes.

Also remember that getting into the UCD programmes this way, rather than directly from Leaving Cert, generally means spending an extra year at third-level (thus, accumulating extra expenses) than if you went in directly from the Leaving Cert. It’s also interesting to note that WIT’s Agricultural Science course (WD078) gives the most extensive options to students in terms of programmes they’re eligible to enter in UCD.

Students reading this who are currently on the programmes listed on the left of the table, should know that application for entry to UCD in 2014 should be made no later than 1 July 2014 at www.ucd.ie/apply.

Alternative Route to UCD

Many people may not be aware that if you are 22-years-old or over, you are eligible to do the Access to Science and Engineering Certificate in Foundation Level Studies at the UCD Adult Education Centre.

If you get an average mark of 60% in your course, you are eligible to apply for a place on the following BAgrSc programmes: Agricultural Science, Dairy Business, Animal Science (Equine), Agri-Environmental Science, Forestry, Horticulture, Landscape and Sportsturf Management and the BSc in Food Science

Application is made via the CAO the following year as a mature student. Applications for this course will be accepted from June.

FETAC

There are also places on UCD programmes for FETAC students. This area will be visited on these pages again, so keep an eye out in the coming weeks. CL