DIPLOMA IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT BY DISTANCE LEARNING
(60 credits over 1 or more years)
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT BY DISTANCE LEARNING
(120 credits over a further 2 years)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a distance learning degree programme for adults. The programme was developed jointly by University College Dublin (UCD), University College Cork (UCC), National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) and National University of Ireland Maynooth (NUIM).
The programme is targeted at people who are interested in any aspect of rural development in a professional or voluntary capacity and will provide participants with the knowledge and skills to manage local / rural / community development projects and programmes. Graduates also find employment in a diverse range of rural businesses and the course has given a number of graduates the confidence and skills to establish their own businesses.
The aims of the course are as follows:
- To enable participants to acquire a broad ranging knowledge of the theory and practice of rural development.
- To give participants the knowledge and skills to find employment in or establish rural and/or farm based enterprises.
- To introduce participants to the rural development policy framework.
- To train participants in the planning and management of rural development activities particularly in aspects such as community/area analysis, area planning and project management.
- To create an awareness of the different impacts of rural development policy approaches and particularly introduce participants to a variety of strategies in combating social exclusion in rural areas.
COURSE FEES
The course fee for the Diploma in the 2011/2012 academic year was €1,950 per annum. Fees are decided by August each year for the subsequent academic session and are posted on the UCD website at www.ucd.ie/fees as soon as available.
FUNDING
Applicants may be eligible for funding under the LEADER Programme. Those interested in applying for a place on the course should request information from the development company that is administering the LEADER programme at county level as soon as possible.
COURSE DELIVERY
The course is delivered over five weekend workshops between September and May. Registered students receive all the distance learning material in advance of university-based workshops.
Students are encouraged to form small study groups in their local areas where they can meet and discuss course work and bounce ideas. Course co-ordinators are available to students for ongoing support throughout the academic year.
Students are encouraged to form small study groups in their local areas where they can meet and discuss course work and share ideas, this has proven to be an invaluable source of peer support in previous programmes.
Diploma/BSc in Rural Development Course Syllabus
ACADEMIC COURSE BOARD
- Dr. Pádraig Wims, UCD
- Professor Michael Ward, UCC
- Dr. Hugh Kelly, NUIG
- Mr. Michael Kenny, NUIM
PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATORS
- Ms. Aideen McGloin, UCD
- Dr. Mary O’Shaughnessy, UCC
- Dr. Hugh Kelly, NUI Galway
- Mr. Michael Kenny, NUIM
THE ROLE OF THE UNIVERSITY CO- ORDINATOR
Each University has a Co-ordinator to manage the programme and provide support to participants. The University Co-ordinator is the main interface between the course participants and the college of registration. The University Co-ordinator provides academic support to the participants. The programme co-ordinator is also the tutor for some of the course modules.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The Diploma is 100% Continuous Assessment, i.e. the student submits a written assignment for each module. The pass standard is 40%.
There are no end-of-year written examinations for the diploma. Generally, a 75% attendance at the workshops is the minimum acceptable.
APPLICATION
Applications for the programme are open and accepted until 14th September 2012. It is advised to discuss your application with your local LEADER development company as soon as possible to ascertain whether you are eligible for support funding.
Applicants will meet the University’s requirements for mature students, that is, over 23 years of age at time of enrolment; applicants must have at least 2 years of rural development experience, in either a voluntary or a professional capacity. Leaving Certificate qualifications are not required.
In addition to the online application, an informal interview will be part of the selection process.
If you have any queries regarding the online application, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Guidelines for applicants:
- New users must register with UCD Online Applications before using the system for the first time – see www.ucd.ie/apply for details.
- Please note that you must have an email address to apply online as we will be sending you information about your applications via email.
- When you are applying, please choose Undergrad Certificate/Diploma as your application type
- Please choose 2012/2013 September for the Admission Term
- You should complete all the sections in the Application Checklist before submitting your application
- In the Programme Choice section, please choose Diploma in Rural Development PT RDS1 or Diploma in Rural Development FT RDS3.
Applying for Diploma/BSc in Rural Development
UCD CONTACT
For further information please contact:
Henna Kinsella
Tel: 01-7167766
Email: agribus.ruraldev@ucd.ie
Agribusiness & Rural Development
Room G-05, Agriculture Building
UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science
UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland