Master's in Horticulture

University College Dublin (UCD) is a world-renowned university located in Dublin, Ireland. Founded in 1854, it is one of the oldest and largest universities in the country, with a current student population of over 34,000. UCD offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs across a broad range of disciplines, including arts, humanities, business, law, engineering, medicine, and science. The university is particularly well-known for its programs in agriculture, veterinary science, and architecture, and is also a leader in research in areas such as nanotechnology, information technology, and food science. The campus itself is situated on 350 acres in the south suburbs of Dublin, providing a picturesque and spacious setting for students and staff. Facilities on campus include state-of-the-art lecture theaters, research labs, libraries, sports facilities, and accommodation options for students.

Horticulture is the science, technology, art and business of cultivating and using plants to improve human life. Horticulturists and Horticultural Scientists create global solutions for safe, sustainable, nutritious food and healthy, restorative and beautiful environments. The MSc Horticulture caters for early career graduates working or intending to work in the global dynamic horticulture production and supply industry. It is designed for students who wish to acquire greater expertise in horticulture, mature students and career changers, and draws on the academic expertise available in the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science. Today the supply of horticulture goods and services involves a global network of producers, distributors and retailers. While labour is currently a significant part of the cost basis for horticulture enterprises, innovations in technology, logistics and management is disrupting the traditional labour intensive model of horticulture businesses. With ever increasing demands from the market place to reduce costs, future horticulture enterprises will require highly educated and skilled individuals who can interpret and apply sound scientific knowledge and utilise modern innovative technologies and management systems to provide sustainable globally relevant horticulture products and services. The minor thesis component offers a very broad choice of research topics that allows a candidate to focus on a specific subject area. Students are assigned an academic supervisor with research interests and expertise in the thesis subject area. Careers & Employability Wide ranging career opportunities exist in private companies, public organisations and government agencies in the food and non-food sectors of horticulture. This programme also allows graduates to completely change direction putting them on a radically different career path from their primary degree and advancement to PhD level.