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MSc Horticulture

Cultivating the Future of Sustainable Food and Landscapes

As the global horticulture industry undergoes a transformation driven by technological innovation and the urgent need for sustainability, the demand for highly skilled leaders has never been greater. The MSc Horticulture at University College Dublin is a one-year, full-time programme designed to equip early-career graduates and career-changers with the scientific expertise and management skills required to excel in this dynamic sector.

Taught by  experts from the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, this program bridges the gap between traditional practices and modern, technology-driven production. You will explore a diverse curriculum — ranging from vegetable and fruit crop production to landscape design and biotechnology — while gaining the critical data analysis and business development skills necessary to lead sustainable commercial enterprises.

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Gateway to a variety of careers

The UCD MSc in Horticulture is designed for early-career graduates, career-changers, and industry professionals who want to master the global supply chain of horticultural goods and services. As innovations in technology and logistics disrupt traditional models, our students gain the scientific expertise and management skills to provide sustainable, globally relevant products.

Within the UCD College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, you will benefit from a hands-on approach and an unparalleled level of lecturer expertise. This program empowers you to combine core laboratory and field skills with modern business strategies, preparing you for high-level roles in everything from food security to urban biodiversity.

Whether you aspire to be a plant scientist, an entrepreneurial producer, or a horticultural therapist, our graduates find success across private companies, public organizations, and government agencies.

Graduate Roles

Graduates of the MSc in Horticulture are prepared for leadership across the food and non-food sectors, bridging the gap between scientific research and commercial success:

  • Production & Management: Lead as a Plant Producer, Nursery Manager, or Technical Advisor
  • Design & Environment: Shape sustainable landscapes as a Designer or Biodiversity Specialist.
  • Scientific Innovation: Drive progress as a Scientist, Zoonotic Disease Researcher (One Health focus), or Plant Biotechnologist.
  • Strategic Leadership: Excel in Business Development, Entrepreneurial roles, or as a Policy Advisor in agriculture and environmental health.
  • Advanced Analytics: Master the future of the field as a GIS & Spatial Data Analyst or Conservation Technology Specialist.
  • Academic Excellence: Pursue advanced research through PhD studies to influence the next generation of horticultural science.
Jane Richie

Jane Richie

Before beginning my studies at UCD I was working in corporate banking and looking to make a drastic career change. I applied to the MSc in Horticulture as I knew I wanted to work with plants - I could see from the modules available I would get a solid foundation in a variety
of subjects. The modules were industry-focused with visits to trade events and grower facilities, and talking to growers in the industry gave me a better picture of career opportunities available. Practical labs in topics from seed germination to apple tree pruning gave me the opportunity to build valuable skills and put learning into context through hands-on experience. The professors were all knowledgeable supportive, and small class sizes meant we could really engage and learn in practical classes. I applied to audit a module in micropropagation and found myself really enjoying lab work, and through completing my minor thesis in the topic I ended up building sterile lab skills. That lead me to where I now work as a PhD student in plant pathology, fully funded through the Teagasc Walsh Scholars programme with UCD.

Build Skills for Success

Sustainable Crop Production & Management

Gain expertise in the global production and supply of food and non-food plants. You will master sustainable cultivation techniques for vegetable, fruit, and protected crops while learning to manage the biological and financial resources required for successful commercial and non-commercial horticulture enterprises.

Tomato plants in a glasshouse
Landscape Design & Environmental Horticulture

Develop an in-depth understanding of the role of plants in our environment, from the elements of landscape design to the protection of biodiversity. You will learn to apply scientific principles to manage green spaces that support ecosystem services and address the sustainability challenges of modern urban and rural landscapes.

Wildflower Meadow
Horticultural Science & Plant Biotechnology

Master the complexities of plant physiology, post-harvest biology, and biotechnology. You will explore advanced scientific methods, including plant micropropagation and genetic applications, to enhance crop quality, ensure food safety, and drive innovation in the horticultural industry.

Student sitting at a desk doing horticulture research
Research & Practical Application

Bridge theory and practice through a minor research thesis and field-based evaluations. Under the guidance of expert academic supervisors, you will develop the laboratory, IT, and analytical skills required for professional consultancy, technical advisory roles, or global leadership in horticultural science.

student doing research on a grassy area

Learning Beyond the Classroom

UCD provides infrastructure designed to support cutting-edge horticultural research and the strategic goals of the global food and environmental sectors. Our learning environment is built on a foundation of active inquiry and practical application, moving beyond traditional lectures to foster a culture of immersive, hands-on learning.

Students engage with the curriculum through a diverse range of experiential approaches, including intensive laboratory sessions, site visits to leading commercial nurseries and food production facilities, and direct engagement with professional horticultural practitioners. Utilizing the Rosemount Environmental Research Station and UCD’s extensive campus glasshouses, you will bridge the gap between scientific theory and real-world industry practice, developing the technical and management skills required to lead in a rapidly evolving global market.

What Will I Learn?

You will master the scientific, technological, and business skills required for global horticultural leadership. The curriculum covers sustainable food production (vegetable, fruit, and protected crops), nursery management, and landscape design. You will gain expertise in plant biotechnology, post-harvest physiology, and data analysis, while learning to manage biological and financial resources to ensure the success of commercial and non-commercial enterprises.

Students in a greenhouse
How Will I Learn?

Our teaching emphasizes active inquiry and immersive, hands-on experience. Learning moves beyond the lecture hall into laboratory sessions, field evaluations, and site visits to industry leaders. You will engage in site-specific modelling, professional communications, and a research thesis. This blend of academic rigor and practical application ensures you develop the expert analytical skills required by professional horticultural consultants.

Glasshouse at UCD Rosemount

Our Staff

Our academic staff is renowned for their dedication to their subjects and their commitment to providing students with an exceptional learning experience. They are experts in their respective fields and are passionate about nurturing the next generation of graduates in the field.

Profile photo of Anthony Twamley

Anthony Twamley

Assistant Professor

Dr Anthony (Tony) Twamley brings a unique career journey to UCD, having worked for over fifteen years in the construction industry before retraining as a horticultural scientist. His research focuses on improving plant health through sustainable methods. His work contributes to the development of environmentally friendly approaches to crop protection and resilient food systems.

Tony’s teaching covers plant pathology, sustainable crop protection and horticultural science, and he also contributes to UCD’s international teaching at Guangzhou Dublin International College (GDIC) in China. His classes combine lectures, laboratory experiments and fieldwork, giving students the chance to apply scientific concepts in practical ways. He encourages students to approach challenges as researchers do—testing ideas, solving problems and exploring innovative alternatives to chemical crop protection.

Profile photo of Noeleen Smyth

Noeleen Smyth

Assistant Professor

Dr Noeleen Smyth is a botanist and chartered horticulturist whose career has taken her from Ireland to projects around the world. She specialises in biodiversity, habitat restoration and the management of rare and invasive species. She also acts as Ireland’s National Scientific Authority for CITES, which regulates international trade in endangered species. Her experience at this level brings a global perspective to her teaching.

Noeleen’s classes often take students outdoors to work directly with plants and habitats. She believes the best way to learn about conservation and biodiversity is to experience it first-hand. Students might find themselves identifying plants in the field, assessing habitats, or discussing real case studies in invasive species management. Her teaching style is practical, passionate and inspiring—encouraging students to see horticulture not just as a career, but as a way of protecting the natural world for future generations.

Dr Aisling Reilly

Aisling Reilly

Assistant Professor

Aisling's research focuses on sustainable crop production, plant diseases, and the ways plants interact with microbes. This means her teaching is always informed by the latest discoveries in plant health and resilience. She is passionate about helping students see the direct connection between science and practice.

As a lecturer, Aisling combines lectures, lab work and field visits to create an engaging and varied learning experience. She uses real examples from her research to show how issues like plant disease management and sustainable food systems affect our everyday lives. Students value her approachable style and the emphasis she places on problem-solving and teamwork. Her goal is that every student feels confident in their ability to apply science to real-world horticultural challenges.

Dr Syed Bilal Hussain

Syed Bilal Hussain

Assistant Professor

Dr Syed Bilal Hussain brings international expertise to UCD, having trained in pomology (fruit science) in China and the United States. His research looks at how fruit crops grow, how their quality can be improved, and what happens to them after harvest. This is crucial knowledge at a time when global demand for fresh, high-quality fruit is rising.

In his teaching, Syed takes students on a journey “from lab to orchard”. You might start by studying plant physiology in the lab, before moving into the field to see how those processes translate into fruit quality and yield. He believes in hands-on learning, and his modules give students practical skills in fruit science and protected cropping systems. Students enjoy his focus on the commercial and environmental importance of fruit crops, and many are inspired to pursue careers or research in this area.

Your Journey Starts Here

Your Journey Starts Here

Ready to take the next step?

Passionate about sustainable food systems, innovative plant science, and green infrastructure?

UCD’s MSc in Horticulture responds to the critical global demand for experts who can transform the production and supply of plants for a changing world. Learn to master sustainable cultivation, cutting-edge biotechnology, and landscape design to ensure food security and environmental resilience. With access to research glasshouses and global industry networks, this is your path to becoming a leader in the future of horticultural innovation and stewardship.

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UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science

Agriculture and Food Science Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
T: +353 1 716 7082/7194 | Location Map(opens in a new window)