Studying agriculture in Northern Ireland

Students living in the Republic of Ireland may not be familiar with UCAS, the University and College Admissions Service in the United Kingdom (UK), but it is well worth exploring third-level courses in Northern Ireland.

There are a wide variety of agriculture and food courses available that can offer students different educational pathways. And with the increase in the cost of living and accommodation shortages, it is important to assess all your options, both across the island of Ireland and in the UK.

Wednesday, 29 January was the application deadline for equal consideration for most undergraduate courses through UCAS. This means that colleges in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland or Wales will consider all applications equally before this date.

If you have just missed the deadline though, there are still options available.

“Applications can be submitted through UCAS to apply to a university or college in the UK until 30 June. However, we would advise to check your course of interest, to make sure they still take applications after the equal consideration date [29 January],” says Sam Sykes, lead for schools and colleges at UCAS.

“Some very competitive courses where numbers are restricted due to access to equipment or teaching style may no longer be taking applications.”

Application process

Students can apply for up to five courses with one personal statement outlining their interest in that area of study. Conditional offers are based on predicted grades. Information about the application process is available on the UCAS website along with over-the-phone support.

“The personal statement provides an opportunity to advocate and give evidence on what makes applicants suitable for their course. Applicants should think about how their skills and academic interests, are relevant to the courses they’ve chosen and give evidence as to why they want to study in that area,” adds Sam.

With over 750,000 applicants a year, she encourages students to have a look at the broad range of courses available and engage with the UCAS application process.

As there is no set date when applicants will receive an offer, it is important for students not to worry if they don’t get one straight away or their first preference.

“If students apply after the equal consideration date, there is a date in July when all offers should be in. They don’t have to choose their course until they receive all their offers,” says Sam.

Students can apply to the CAO system along with UCAS. They should have a first and second place listed on their UCAS application, as an insurance option.

“Over the UK results period in August, when students get A-level results, a lot of colleges will put up courses with availability. Students can go in and look at the list of courses still open called ‘clearing’,” says Sam.

There are a total of 35,000 courses in the UK available to students. However, it’s important to factor in higher tuition fees. These can be €5,000 and up, but students can apply for a tuition fee loan at a lower rate.

One of the main universities offering agricultural degree programmes is the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) across three campuses at Greenmount in Co Antrim, Loughry in Co Tyrone and Enniskillen in Co Fermanagh. It offers full-time, part-time and short courses for students aspiring to work within the agri-food and land-based sectors.

Some of their courses include BSc degrees in agricultural technology, sustainable agriculture with agri-business and land management.

Other programmes include foundation degrees and Level 4, Level 3 and Level 2 diplomas and apprenticeships offering buildable qualifications and pathways.

For a full list of courses check out cafre.ac.uk

Irish Country Living spoke to two CAFRE students about the UCAS system and their chosen courses.

• Jazmin Kirkwood, Ballynahinch, Co Down

“I am from a small hobby farm, it was mainly equine when I was younger. I was in Saintfield High School, and it’s quite agricultural based, as it’s located in a small town [Ballynahinch]. They offered agriculture as a GCSE, and that’s where it all started. I knew I didn’t want to go on to A-Levels, it wasn’t really for me. They offered a Level 3 here, and it was a way to progress to a higher level.

“There are plenty of placement opportunities in the Level 3 which is quite good because you get to see what you want to do when you leave. When you first start, you just think farming is about cows and you don’t realise everything that goes behind it, especially if you don’t come from a farm.”

“I found the application process very straightforward. The course took me more into dairy farming and the whole process that comes with milking cows. It also allowed me to gain an understanding of other industries including pigs, tillage and beef.

“I went on to Aberystwyth University in Wales to gain my honours degree. When I returned home I started working as an adviser with Grassland Agro, where I have been for the last three years.

“There are so many areas to specialise in. The chances are there’s a place for you in that speciality and I do think it’s a good job as there are a lot of options. You’re not just on a narrow path.”

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