CAO points rise for B Agr
Leaving Certificate students now require at least 465 points to gain a place on the level-8 degree course, an increase of 10 points on 2013’s requirement.
The points for the course at UCD have been increasing since 2007 — when 315 pointrs were sufficient, because there was reduced demand for agricultural courses during the height of Ireland’s economic boom.
Commenting on the increase in minimum entry requirements to enter Agricultural Science at UCD (CAO code: DN250), Professor Alex Evans, Head of the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, and Dean of Agriculture, said, “We are delighted to see the quality of applicants applying to our programmes here at UCD.
“Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition programmes offer an interesting range of subjects for students as well as excellent career prospects. Agri-food is Ireland’s largest indigenous industry, and the projections for graduates in this sector are extremely positive.”
Statistics released by the Central Applications Office (CAO) early this year showed that over 2,800 people applied for a place on agricultural courses, an increase of 6% on the previous year.
Of that, 734 applicants made a level-8 agriculture course their first choice preference.
Over 800 applicants also made agriculture their first preference when applying for level-6 and level-7 courses.
This strong demand for agriculture courses reflects the positive outlook that many see for the agriculture sector.
Animal Science Equine at UCD requires 425 points this year for a first round offer, with Dairy Business requiring 445 points, and Food Science requiring 490 points.
The level-7 Agricultural Science course at Waterford Institute of Technology requires 410 points this year for a first round CAO offer, while Agricultural Science at IT Tralee requires 305 points.
Food Science at University College Cork requires 445 points this year.
