The MSc/PG Diploma in Organic and Biological Agriculture programmes are two-year part-time taught postgraduate programmes that were developed to address specific practical and scientific skills gaps within the agriculture and land sciences sectors. The programmes are aimed at those already working in primary production or within these sectors who wish to upskill in the developing areas of organic and biological systems and their productive application in agriculture.
The main programme objectives are to develop graduates who have:
An advanced knowledge of organic and biological agricultural practices and principles.
An ability to put core principles of biological agriculture into practice in the field.
The capacity to proactively contribute to and design supportive policy in agroforestry and landscape biodiversity; climate adaptation and resilience; sustainable crop and livestock production; and enhanced soil and water management.
Discounted / Part-Funded Places Through NOTS: Eligible participants in Ireland can avail of a 40% cost reduction on course fees through our MSc course partners National Organic Training Skillnet. Contact NOTS by calling 071 9640688 or email [email protected] for more information on eligibility for these reduced fees.
How is this course structured?
The Masters (MSc)/Postgraduate Diploma in Organic and Biological Agriculture is made up of the following modules:
To achieve the Postgraduate Diploma award students must accumulate 60 credits by completing six 10-credit modules.
To achieve the MSc award students must additionally complete a 30-credit research dissertation, which can be carried out in the field.
Students can apply for an exit award of an individual Level 9 Certificate for each module they successfully complete.
Successful completion of one or more stand-alone Certificate programmes can also be used as credit towards the MSc/PG Diploma award
Applicants must hold a National Framework of Qualification (NFQ) Level 8 honours degree in Agri-business and Rural Enterprise, Agriculture, Environmental and Land Science, or other Science-related discipline. Offers will be made based on the applicant’s Grade Point Average (GPA). Applicants who hold a Level 8 degree in a non-cognate area may be considered for entry under SETU’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) mechanism and equal weighting will be given for GPA qualifications (50%) and a selection interview (50%) to assess prospective candidate’s aptitude and experience relevant to the certificate programme.
Graduates with the Level 9 Certificate in Soil Health and Water Management may wish to apply the knowledge and practices learned in primary commercial production, provide support and technical advice to growers and farmers or may opt to remain in a research, development and innovation environment. They may also use their applied knowledge and skills in public service for the development of supportive agricultural, climate, and environmental policy.
Upon successful completion of other Level 9 Certificates the learner can graduate with a Certificate in Organic and Biological Production (30 credits), a Postgraduate Diploma in Organic and Biological Agriculture (60 credits), plus a dissertation for a MSc in Organic and Biological Agriculture (90 credits).
