Dairy Business (DBS1)

First & Second Year

You start with a range of business, science, mathematics and technology- related modules. You  then build on this scientific base by taking a range of modules in relevant applied sciences, as well as business and communications- related modules.

Third & Fourth Year

In June of second year, you’ll undertake technical management of a dairy farm at Teagasc, Kildalton Agricultural College. This is followed by Professional Work Experience (PWE) placement in the dairy industry from July to December.

For trimester two of third year, you study at Teagasc, Moorepark in areas including:

• Grassland Management & Nutrition
• Dairy Systems
• Applied Breeding & Fertility
• Herd Health
• Dairy Business Project.

In fourth year, you’ll consolidate your understanding of earlier modules and pursue a range of business and science modules.

Students spend an average of 40 hours  a week, including: lectures and tutorials; laboratory and practical workshops; and independent study.

Assessment varies but involves a combination of projects, continuous assessment and end-of-trimester examinations. Assessment of PWE involves monthly reports, a final report and an interview, upon completion.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

PWE takes place between July and December (first trimester, third year) and offers you the opportunity to visit New Zealand at the busiest time of the dairy farming calendar.

In addition to the highly skilled role of dairy farm management, opportunities exist in a wide variety of areas including:

• Research
• Animal feed industry
• Banking
• Teaching
• Consultancy

Research opportunities to Master’s and PhD level are available.

Non-EU Undergraduate Fee information can be found here.

UCD offers a number of competitive undergraduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD undergraduate degree programme. For information on Undergraduate Scholarships, please see the UCD International Scholarships webpage.

The mission of the School of Agriculture and Food Science is to develop and apply the science and scholarship of agriculture, food, environmental sciences, and rural development for the benefit of society through excellence in education, research, innovation and continuing professional development.

The BAgrSc in Dairy Business is designed to equip students with the scientific, technical, and business skills required to drive innovation in this exciting and dynamic industry. The pressing challenge for the industry is to become more sustainable not only environmentally but also economically and societally. The programme focuses on the three pillars of sustainability (environmental, economic and social) as they relate to dairy production practices and the dairy industry in Ireland and internationally. This vision of sustainability fits very closely with the expertise within the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science where the teaching and research programmes span the entire food chain, from on-farm food production to human nutrition and health, providing a diverse range of career opportunities for graduates in Ireland and internationally.

In addition to this the programme relates to the relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s): 

• No Poverty (SDG 1)
• No Hunger (SDG 2)
• Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
• Climate Action (SDG 13)
• Life on Land (SDG 15)