Agricultural Science at University College Dublin sits apart from the Business, Computer Science, and Engineering programmes already covered elsewhere, and it is one of UCD's genuine historical strengths: UCD's School of Agriculture and Food Science, based at the Belfield campus and the university's associated research farm at Lyons Estate, is Ireland's most established agricultural science programme.
This article covers admission requirements, cost, English-test requirements, and career outcomes for Agricultural Science at UCD.
Acceptance Rate
UCD does not publish an acceptance rate for Agricultural Science or any other undergraduate programme, consistent with UCD's general admissions disclosure pattern. International (non-EU) undergraduates apply directly to UCD, with admission based on your academic record against the programme's entry requirements. Agricultural Science is not typically among UCD's most oversubscribed programmes (unlike Computer Science or Business), so a well-prepared applicant with a solid science background has a realistic path, though a specific acceptance figure was not confirmed in the sources reviewed for this article.
Tuition and Cost of Attendance
A programme-specific tuition figure for Agricultural Science was not independently confirmed from UCD's official pages, which were not readable during this research. Third-party estimates for UCD's broader fee bands:
| Cost item | Estimate (third-party, 2026/27) |
|---|---|
| Non-EU tuition, Engineering, Computer Science and Science, for reference | About €27,000 to €36,000 per year |
| Non-EU tuition, Agricultural Science | Not independently confirmed; expect a figure within or near the Science band given shared laboratory and field-based teaching costs |
| Living costs in Dublin (shared accommodation) | About €1,330 to €2,090 per month, or roughly €16,000 to €25,000 per year |
For a Stamp 2 student visa, the Irish Immigration Service expects you to show access to at least €10,000 per year for living costs, in addition to tuition. Confirm the exact current fee for Agricultural Science directly on UCD's official fees page. For the full picture, see the University College Dublin guide.
Admission Requirements
For international (non-EU) undergraduate applicants:
- Completed secondary education with transcripts that meet the entry requirements for Agricultural Science, likely including a strong background in biology, chemistry, or related sciences (confirm UCD's specific subject requirements directly)
- English language proficiency (see below)
- The application fee, reported by UCD's international pages as €70 for most application types
UCD's international pages direct applicants to check country-specific entry guidance and the list of recognised English tests on the Registry website. Applications open on 1 October for entry the following September, and UCD's international guidance advises applicants who need a visa to apply before 1 July.
How to Get Into UCD's Agricultural Science Programme
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Apply early, not just before the deadline. UCD recommends applying before 1 July if you need a visa.
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Build a strong science academic record, since Agricultural Science programmes typically weigh biology and chemistry performance, consistent with science-based degrees generally.
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Take your English test early, since results can take weeks to arrive.
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Prepare your transcripts and any certified translations in advance.
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Ask directly about field-based or placement components, since agricultural science degrees commonly include practical farm or laboratory placements as part of the curriculum, which may carry logistics or costs beyond standard tuition.
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo Requirements
A programme-specific English threshold for Agricultural Science was not confirmed on an official UCD page in this review. The minimums reported by third-party guides for UCD's undergraduate programmes generally are:
| Test | Reported minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall, with no band below 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 90 |
| PTE Academic | 63 |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 |
Confirm the current Registry requirement before you book a test, and confirm whether Agricultural Science sets any programme-specific threshold above these general figures.
Career Outcomes and Stamp 1G Relevance
UCD does not publish graduate employment or salary figures for Agricultural Science that we could verify for this article; the Higher Education Authority's Graduate Outcomes survey is the official national source for Ireland's graduate outcomes by institution and field. Agricultural science graduates commonly move into roles in agribusiness, food science and technology, agricultural research, farm management, and policy and advisory roles connected to Ireland's agri-food sector, one of the country's most significant export industries.
Stamp 1G (Third Level Graduate Scheme): Level 8 (bachelor's) graduates can apply for Stamp 1G, which permits up to 12 months of work-seeking permission in Ireland (not renewable for Level 8 graduates), with a €300 application fee, applied for within six months of UCD notifying you that your programme is complete, while physically in Ireland. For the full set of rules, see our Ireland Stamp 1G guide.
FAQ
Does UCD publish an acceptance rate for Agricultural Science? No, and a specific figure was not confirmed in this research. UCD's overall selectivity is described as varying by programme, with Agricultural Science not typically among UCD's most oversubscribed degrees.
How much does Agricultural Science cost at UCD for international students? Not independently confirmed; expect a figure within or near UCD's Science tuition band of roughly €27,000-€36,000/year. Confirm on UCD's official fees page.
What IELTS score do I need for Agricultural Science at UCD? Not confirmed specifically for this programme; the general UCD undergraduate figure reported by third-party guides is IELTS 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0.
Can I work in Ireland after a UCD Agricultural Science degree? Yes. Bachelor's graduates can apply for Stamp 1G, allowing up to 12 months of work-seeking rights after graduation without needing an employer sponsor.