Ag science has become an increasingly popular course choice among students in recent years and this has seen, for the most part, points for ag science courses increase in many colleges.
Therefore, if you’re determined ag will be your field of study, you should have a back-up plan in case you don’t get the points. The Irish Farmers Journal and open eir are giving you the chance to ensure your back-up plan is well-informed.
To do this, they will host a slot on the main stage in the Schools Zone at the Agri Careers Fair, where experts from third-level agricultural education will discuss alternative routes into Level 8 ag degrees.
In the run-up to this slot, we spoke to UCD to get an insight into other ways of getting into ag on the Belfield campus, firstly in relation to access to Science, Engineering and Agriculture Certificate in Foundation Level Studies.
For over 22s
If you are aged 22 years old or above, you are eligible to do the Access to Science, Engineering and Agriculture Certificate in Foundation Level Studies with UCD Access and Lifelong Learning. 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, Agri-Environmental Sciences, 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. The course aims to give students the confidence and skills they will need to engage in an undergraduate course.
It will also introduce them to the methods of study, writing and research required for participation at third level.
There are no formal educational entry requirements for entry onto this course. Instead, candidates are required to complete an application form where they will have the opportunity to detail their educational qualifications (if any), their experience and strengths.
Progression
Graduates of courses in Table 1 are eligible to apply for a place on particular UCD ag 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 Higher Cert in Ag (first row) who will enter second year in UCD. Entry into UCD programmes from the courses listed in Table 1 will be subject to availability of places.
QQI-FET route
Another route for alternative entry is completing a one-year QQI-FET course to gain entry to your honours degree of choice.
A total of 20 places are available on UCD’s BAgrSc and BSc in Food Science programmes for students who have completed a Level 5 QQI-FET (formerly FETAC) programme in either of Applied Science Laboratory Techniques (5M3807) or Animal Care (5M2768).
Entry will be available on a competitive basis and applicants must satisfy certain criteria, including achieving a minimum of five distinctions in course-specific modules.
Candidates are eligible to apply to the Agricultural Science, Dairy Business, Agri-Environmental Sciences, Forestry, Horticulture, Landscape and Sportsturf Management programmes as well as the BSc in Food Science.
The Applied Science Laboratory Techniques (5M3807) and Animal Care (5M2768) QQI programmes are available in community colleges or colleges of further education around the country, and application to the course is made directly to the institution.
There is also a separate QQI-FET entry pathway into UCD’s Horticulture, Landscape and Sportsturf Management programme, where it’s expected five places will be available. To gain entry via this QQI-FET route, applicants must complete the QQI-FET horticulture course (course code is 5M2586).
plc colleges
Some of the PLC colleges that offer these programmes include:
Bray Institute of Further Education.Cavan Institute.Monaghan Institute.Killester College.Dunboyne College of Further Education.Greenhills College.Drogheda Institute of Further Education.Coláiste Naomh Cormac, Kilcormac.St John’s Central College, Cork.Colaiste Ide College of Further Education (Finglas). (Note: this list is not exhaustive and programmes offered by institutions are subject to run on a year-to-year basis, based on demand.)
Ag science has become an increasingly popular course choice among students in recent years and this has seen, for the most part, points for ag science courses increase in many colleges.
Therefore, if you’re determined ag will be your field of study, you should have a back-up plan in case you don’t get the points. The Irish Farmers Journal and open eir are giving you the chance to ensure your back-up plan is well-informed.
To do this, they will host a slot on the main stage in the Schools Zone at the Agri Careers Fair, where experts from third-level agricultural education will discuss alternative routes into Level 8 ag degrees.
In the run-up to this slot, we spoke to UCD to get an insight into other ways of getting into ag on the Belfield campus, firstly in relation to access to Science, Engineering and Agriculture Certificate in Foundation Level Studies.
For over 22s
If you are aged 22 years old or above, you are eligible to do the Access to Science, Engineering and Agriculture Certificate in Foundation Level Studies with UCD Access and Lifelong Learning. 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, Agri-Environmental Sciences, 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. The course aims to give students the confidence and skills they will need to engage in an undergraduate course.
It will also introduce them to the methods of study, writing and research required for participation at third level.
There are no formal educational entry requirements for entry onto this course. Instead, candidates are required to complete an application form where they will have the opportunity to detail their educational qualifications (if any), their experience and strengths.
Progression
Graduates of courses in Table 1 are eligible to apply for a place on particular UCD ag 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 Higher Cert in Ag (first row) who will enter second year in UCD. Entry into UCD programmes from the courses listed in Table 1 will be subject to availability of places.
QQI-FET route
Another route for alternative entry is completing a one-year QQI-FET course to gain entry to your honours degree of choice.
A total of 20 places are available on UCD’s BAgrSc and BSc in Food Science programmes for students who have completed a Level 5 QQI-FET (formerly FETAC) programme in either of Applied Science Laboratory Techniques (5M3807) or Animal Care (5M2768).
Entry will be available on a competitive basis and applicants must satisfy certain criteria, including achieving a minimum of five distinctions in course-specific modules.
Candidates are eligible to apply to the Agricultural Science, Dairy Business, Agri-Environmental Sciences, Forestry, Horticulture, Landscape and Sportsturf Management programmes as well as the BSc in Food Science.
The Applied Science Laboratory Techniques (5M3807) and Animal Care (5M2768) QQI programmes are available in community colleges or colleges of further education around the country, and application to the course is made directly to the institution.
There is also a separate QQI-FET entry pathway into UCD’s Horticulture, Landscape and Sportsturf Management programme, where it’s expected five places will be available. To gain entry via this QQI-FET route, applicants must complete the QQI-FET horticulture course (course code is 5M2586).
plc colleges
Some of the PLC colleges that offer these programmes include:
Bray Institute of Further Education.Cavan Institute.Monaghan Institute.Killester College.Dunboyne College of Further Education.Greenhills College.Drogheda Institute of Further Education.Coláiste Naomh Cormac, Kilcormac.St John’s Central College, Cork.Colaiste Ide College of Further Education (Finglas). (Note: this list is not exhaustive and programmes offered by institutions are subject to run on a year-to-year basis, based on demand.)
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