University College Cork is in the ‘‘advanced stages’’ of developing a new Level 8 agricultural science course, the Irish Farmers Journal has learned.

Speaking with Professor Thia Hennessy, the Dean of the Business School at University College Cork, she described the announcement as a major boost for the Munster region.

“UCC is currently at the advanced stages of developing an agricultural science undergraduate programme. It would be the university’s first full degree programme in agricultural science, which is exciting for UCC and Munster in general,” Prof Hennessy confirmed.

UCC’s course is expected to begin in September 2019. There are currently 12 Level 8 courses in agriculture nationwide, with Letterkenny IT launching its first Level 8 course this September.

Munster courses

UCC becomes the third institution in Munster to introduce a Level 8 course in Agriculture after Waterford IT and Tralee IT.

Cork IT and Limerick IT also provide Level 7 degrees in agriculture and work closely with Teagasc Clonakilty and Salesian Agricultural College.