Graduate Taught Programmes

Our Engineer's Ireland accredited ME Biosystems and Food Engineering provides graduates from an engineering background with the opportunity to achieve engineering and mathematical competencies in the design and application of biological systems, with a clear focus in:

• food process engineering
• wastewater management
• bioenergy
• sustainability
• circular economy
• biorefinery
• algae

Biosystems Engineers are at the forefront of the search for practical solutions to global problems and this specialisation will lead graduates to a wide variety of employment opportunities with companies focusing on the production and processing of food and other feedstocks, environmental protection, waste recycling, sustainable energy, and green technologies.

Graduates of this accredited programme can gain Chartership status.

You can find more details and how to apply here.

The MEngSc in Food Engineering provides a comprehensive coverage of bioprocess and food manufacturing systems engineering.  The programme will be of particular interest to graduates in Engineering, Science and related disciplines who are interested in food and bioprocess engineering, risk assessment, process development, process control, advanced manufacturing systems and associated environmental issues. On this programme you will develop new technical competencies in food and bioprocess engineering, learn how to develop and execute a research plan, and acquire skills in the application of leading-edge technologies to the agri-food and biotechnology industries, including novel food processing technology, food process automation, risk assessment, computer vision for food quality and food safety. Excellent job prospects are available to graduates in the food, bioprocess, manufacturing and related agencies and industries.

This programme is delivered by a highly research-intensive School comprising a European Research Council Fellow and six Marie Curie Fellowships. Professors Sun, Bourke and O’Donnell are in the world’s top one per cent of the most cited scientists in their field. Opportunities for site visits and industry internships are provided where possible. The UCD School of Biosystems & Food Engineering consistently wins up to €3 million in annual research funding.

You can find more details and information on how to apply here.

The MSc Sustainable Energy & Green Technologies enables you to focus on advanced education and training in the development and optimisation of renewable energy resource exploitation, the efficiency in energy generation and utilisation pathways (including energy conservation), the mitigation of environmental impacts, and preparation for business innovation and job creation opportunities in renewable energy systems technology development, plant biotechnology and entrepreneurship. The programme is underpinned by the best European practice by incorporating compatible EU policy drivers such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) for energy research, current R&D in crops (through ongoing and research initiatives under the Charles Parsons Energy Research programme), and the collaboration with internationally acknowledged experts in the subject domains from universities, research institutions and industry. This programme enables you to maintain relevance of academic and research training, and therefore enhance your employability in the area of sustainable energy.

This programme is delivered by a highly research-intensive School comprised of a European Research Council Fellow and six Marie Curie Fellowships. The Programme Director Professor Kevin McDonnell won the inaugural SEAI Energy Innovation award, the Environcom award for energy innovation and is a Fulbright Scholar. This programme provides opportunities for site visits and industry internships where possible. The UCD School of Biosystems & Food Engineering consistently wins up to €3 million in annual research funding. 

You can find more detail and information on how to apply here.

The programme addresses the demand for graduates who have the skills to develop technological solutions for air, water and soil protection in existing and emerging sectors across industry (particularly the bioeconomy), consulting companies and regulatory authorities. This programme will enable its students to acquire skills in the areas of environmental engineering, risk assessment, air pollution, waste management, life cycle assessment, GIS applications, energy systems and sustainable environment. Students will enhance their ability to work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multi-disciplinary settings, together with the capacity to  undertake lifelong learning.

This programme is delivered by a highly research-intensive School comprised of a European Research Council Fellow and six Marie Curie Fellowships. Opportunities for site visits and industry internships are provided where possible. Dr Tom Curran the academic coordinator has received teaching and research awards from UCD, the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE), the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and most recently the prestigious Fulbright Award (TechImpact). The UCD School of Biosystems & Food Engineering consistently wins up to €3 million in annual research funding. 

You can find more detail and instructions on how to apply here.

Digital Technology for Sustainable Agriculture is the integration of new and advanced technologies into crop and livestock farming systems to enable farmers and other professionals in the sector to improve food production. 

UCD’s MSc Programme on Digital Technology for Sustainable Agriculture is targeted towards providing students with cutting edge training in digital technology areas that include a number of modules in computer programming, data processing, Internet-of-Things and machine learning implementations. 

This programme will build student’s knowledge and skills-base to address the complexities of developing, deploying and managing digital technology in the agri-food sector with a focus on enhancing efficiency, sustainability and resilience at all levels of food production.

The programme also offers hands-on experience on a range of novel digital technology, training in state-of-the-art labs and applied research in a real life environment at the Lyons Research Farm.

You can find more details and instructions on how to apply here.

Climate change, environment, and Corporate Social Responsibility are creating an ever increasing demand for employees with skills in carbon footprinting, GHG accounting, and Life Cycle Assessment. Drivers of this demand are the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (particularly understanding and managing scope 3 emissions), the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (2021) Act, Future Jobs initiative “transition to low carbon economy’ and Ireland’s National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility.

This programme provides the competency, knowledge, and skills required to work with ISO standard methods for carbon footprinting, GHG inventory, and life cycle assessment in a commercial environment.

There is an ever increasing demand for employees the with skills that this Graduate Diploma provides. While theoretical knowledge of GHG and other emissions is important, there is a clear demand in Ireland for people with the skills necessary to complete Carbon Footprint, GHG Inventory and Life Cycle Assessment of product and organisations. This skill is transferable across sectors and can be aligned with the different parts of a business, be that process and production, management, health and safety, sustainability or even marketing. This graduate diploma will be ideal for professional development or for reskilling by those looking for a new career opportunity.

Graduates progress into: 

• Sustainability team member or leader
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Energy management
• Consulting
• Sourcing and Procurement

You can find further details and information on how to apply here.

Sustainability is on the agenda for many sectors. All sectors are responding to sustainability goals, with many organisations setting targets to be achieved by 2030 for compliance, consumer or market retention purposes. Consultation with a range of industry stakeholders has identified that there is a deficit of expertise in the market to address the implementation of sustainability agendas, however the scale and speed of the change required is urgent.  

Drivers of this demand are the National Sectoral Emissions Ceilings, the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (2021) Act, Future Jobs initiative 'Transition to low carbon economy', Ireland's National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility, and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions reporting).

This full-time Level 9 Graduate Diploma equips students with the core skills to quantify the sustainability of a product, process or system, identify areas for improvement and devise and manage measures for implementation to improve sustainability.

The programme is designed to be suitable for people working in any sector in Ireland.

You can find further information and details on how to apply here.

This 12-month in-person programme, aimed at mid-career professionals, is accredited by UCD at Level 9 on the National Qualifications Framework. Participants who complete the programme will be awarded a Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

The entrepreneurial training programme will use design-thinking methodologies and will have a practical focus. Through the programme, participants will learn how to conduct needs-led innovation to develop market-validated solutions to unmet needs in the areas of agricultural technology and food sustainability sectors.

The programme’s focus will be on the immersive experience and participants will spend 8-10 weeks immersed in agricultural environments including farms and food processing companies throughout the year-long programme.

A tax-free scholarship of €38,000 to participate in the programme is available as well as programme fees of €9,000 is covered for participants.

You can find further information and details on how to apply here.