A survey of Dundalk Institute of Technology’s (DkIT) ag graduates has shown that 44% of them now work within the agri-food industry. Overall, 83% of graduates entered full-time employment or further study within four months of completing their degrees. The survey was specifically in relation to graduates from DkIT’s Level 8 (Hons) in agriculture programmes in 2016.

According to the 2014 HEA graduate survey, ag graduates have one of the highest levels of employment when compared to graduates of other sectors, with 70% working nine months after graduation. However, the figures are even higher at DkIT where the employment rate for this year’s graduates is 75%.

DkIT offers a range of undergraduate, add-on undergraduate, postgraduate and part-time programmes in agriculture and its related sciences. These include three Level 8 BA science degrees. The first of these is in agriculture (run in conjunction with Ballyhaise Agricultural College, Co Cavan). The second is in food and agri-business, while the third is in sustainable agriculture (the latter two are add-on degrees). There are also three Level 7 programmes; BA of science in agriculture (add-on), and two part-time Level 7 certificates in food and agribusiness and food supply chain operations.

DkIT also runs a Level 9 MA/Postgraduate Diploma in agricultural biotechnology and two Level 9 certificates. These are in food and feed biotechnology and in animal biotechnology. All Level 9 programmes are part-time. An MA in agricultural technology will commence at DkIT in September 2017.

Visit https://www.dkit.ie/applied-sciences.