The Dairy Business (Hons) programme at University College Dublin (UCD) blends dairy production and animal health knowledge with practical business and management training. You’ll learn to evaluate farm and supply-chain systems and use evidence-based analysis to support decisions in a modern, sustainable dairy sector.
Duration: Typically 4 years (Honours Bachelor’s degree)
ECTS: Programme credit structure varies by year; modules are delivered across the degree
Delivery format: On-campus (UCD)
Language of instruction: English
Tuition fees: Fees vary by student category and residency status—check the latest UCD fee schedule
Start dates: Typically September intake (confirm for your application year)
Application deadlines: Vary by applicant type—submit as early as possible and check UCD’s current deadlines
Programme focus: Dairy production systems; animal nutrition, reproduction, and health/welfare; soil and production-related science; business and management modules (e.g., accounting, marketing, business law, supply chain)
Assessment style: Combination of coursework and examinations (exact assessment methods vary by module)
Programme Structure
The Dairy Business (Hons) degree is structured to build scientific foundations first, then expand your capability in business, management, and analytical decision-making for the dairy sector.
Indicative module areas
- Soil Science
- Animal Reproduction
- Applied Biostatistics
- Animal Nutrition
- Dairy Production
- Health, Welfare and Safety in Agriculture
- Marketing: Forms, Customer & Society
- Accounting for non-Business students
- Business Law
- Global Operations and Supply Chain Management
How learning is organised
- Scientific core: dairy production and related biological sciences to support technical understanding.
- Business and professional modules: practical foundations in accounting, marketing, and legal/operational thinking.
- Quantitative and evidence-based learning: applied statistics and data-informed approaches to decision-making.
- Industry-relevant integration: topics that connect farm-level management with supply-chain and commercial considerations.
Note: Exact module titles, sequencing, and assessment formats can vary by academic year. Your final timetable will be confirmed by UCD.
Academic requirements
Admission is based on meeting UCD’s minimum academic requirements for the programme. Entry grade expectations can vary depending on your qualification route (for example, A-Level or IB), so you should check the latest UCD entry requirements for your country and qualification type.
English requirements
Minimum English test scores (typical minimums):
- IELTS (Academic): 6.5 (overall)
- TOEFL iBT: 90 (overall)
- PTE Academic: 63 (overall)
- Duolingo English Test: 120 (overall)
- Oxford Test of English (OTE): 140 (overall)
UCD may require evidence of English proficiency through one of the accepted tests above. If you have completed prior education in English, you may be eligible for alternative assessment—confirm with UCD.
Other requirements
General entry requirements (examples shown in the record)
- A-Level: BCC / CCCD / CCC plus relevant subject-level requirements (including an additional C AS Level)
- IB: 27 points (with subject-level requirements as listed below)
Subject requirements (examples shown in the record)
- Mathematics: GCSE C / A-Level E (or AS Level D) / IB SL 4 or HL 3
- Laboratory Science: GCSE C / A-Level E (or AS Level D) / IB SL 4 or HL 3
Documents typically required: academic transcripts/grades, proof of English proficiency (if applicable), passport/ID, and any supporting documents requested by UCD.
Application notes
Deadlines and required documents depend on your applicant category and qualification route. Submit early to allow time for document verification and (if needed) English test results.
Post-study work permit (Ireland)
After completing your degree in Ireland, you may be eligible to apply for a post-study work permission, subject to meeting the Irish immigration rules in force at the time of application.
Typical eligibility considerations:
- You must have successfully completed your programme and hold the required immigration permission to study in Ireland during your studies.
- You must apply within the permitted timeframe after graduation (check the current rules for exact dates and deadlines).
- You may need to demonstrate that you meet the minimum conditions for the post-study route, including programme level and completion status.
- In some cases, you may be required to show that you have complied with the conditions of your student permission while studying.
Duration: The length of the post-study permission depends on the current policy and your qualification level. You should confirm the latest duration and conditions on the official Irish immigration website.
Important: Immigration rules can change. This information is general guidance and does not replace official advice. Always verify the most up-to-date requirements before applying.