Long distance learning from UCD

UCD will bring rural development skills to the countryside when the university launches Ireland’s first distance-learning BSc degree in Rural Development later next week.

The course will be ideal for some of the 240 mature students who have completed the NUI distance-learning Diploma in Rural Development.

But it is aimed at anyone with a keen interest in the economic, social and cultural aspects of rural and community life.

Through distance learning, students can study when it suits them. They can also make direct contact with tutors online and interact with each other through discussion forums.

“They can undertake the diploma or degree in their own time and avoid the expense and interruption to their work or home life from having to travel to one of the universities to take this programme,” said Professor Jim Phelan, Department of Agribusiness, Extension and Rural Development, UCD.

Students will utilise the latest web technology, developed by the four NUI Universities, who have created a Virtual Centre of Academic Excellence in Rural Development (V-learn.ie). This new virtual centre will be launched by UCD on Monday 21st June as part of an information evening for prospective students in the Diploma or Degree in Rural Development.

It will be held in the Faculty of Agriculture, UCD on Monday, June 21 from 7.30pm. Further information is available from Programme Co-ordinator, Lily Mulhall at [e-mail] or 01 7167096.