Bachelor of Science (Honours) Organic Agriculture

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

South East Technological University Wexford Campus

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) in Organic Agriculture at South East Technological University is a four-year Level 8 programme for students who want to specialise in sustainable, environmentally friendly farming and organic food production. It combines scientific understanding with practical farming skills and is ideal for students interested in organic systems, sustainability, and modern agri-food innovation.

Curriculum Structure:
In Year 1, students build a strong foundation in agriculture and science through core areas such as animal and plant biology, crop and grassland production, farm health and safety, and basic agribusiness and digital skills. This year helps students understand how agricultural systems work while introducing the principles of sustainable farming.

In Year 2, students focus more on organic and applied agriculture through modules like Agricultural Microbiology, Principles and Standards of Organic Production, Soil Science, Animal Nutrition, Farm Financial Accounting, Agricultural Marketing, and Agroforestry Systems. This stage develops both technical farming knowledge and an understanding of organic certification and sustainable production methods.

In Year 3, students deepen their knowledge of organic agriculture with more advanced study in sustainable production systems, agricultural economics, applied ICT in agriculture, genetics and breeding, and farm management practices. This year also includes applied learning that connects organic principles with real farm and industry settings.

In Year 4, students specialise further through advanced topics in organic farming systems, environmental management, food production standards, and a major research project. This final year builds strong analytical, research, and decision-making skills for leadership roles in sustainable agriculture.

Focus Areas:
Organic farming systems, sustainable agriculture, soil science, livestock production, crop production, agroecology, agribusiness, environmental sustainability, organic certification systems, rural development

Learning Outcomes:
Graduates will be able to manage organic farming systems, apply sustainable production practices, understand certification standards, analyse agricultural systems, and contribute to environmentally responsible food production and rural development.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
This programme supports eligibility for the Green Cert, which is required for young farmer schemes and agricultural land transfer in Ireland. It also aligns with industry standards in organic and sustainable agriculture and prepares students for roles in both farming and advisory services.

Reputation (Employability rankings):
South East Technological University is a recognised Irish technological university with strong industry links in agriculture and the agri-food sector. The programme is highly practical and placement-focused, supporting strong employability in organic farming, agribusiness, food production, and sustainability-focused careers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the BSc (Hons) in Organic Agriculture at South East Technological University develop strong practical skills by combining academic study with real farm experience, laboratory work, and industry exposure. The programme places a strong emphasis on organic and sustainable farming systems, where students learn by working with real soil, crop, and livestock systems under organic standards. Alongside this, students take part in field visits, applied projects, and research-based learning that connect theory directly to real farming practice.

Experiential learning is delivered through hands-on training, scientific investigation, and industry engagement:

Practical farm-based learning focused on organic crop and livestock production systems
Laboratory work in microbiology, soil science, plant science, animal nutrition, and agricultural chemistry
Field visits and study trips to organic farms and agri-food businesses to observe real production systems
Learning around organic certification standards and sustainable farming practices used in commercial agriculture
Use of ICT and digital tools for farm planning, record keeping, and decision-making in organic farm management
Group projects focusing on sustainability, organic systems, and environmental impact in agriculture
Final-year research project involving investigation into organic agriculture topics using field or lab-based data
Access to university library resources, scientific journals, and agricultural research databases
Continuous guidance and mentoring from academic staff and industry professionals during practical work and field activities
Exposure to environmental and sustainability-focused farming practices through real industry engagement

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BSc (Hons) in Organic Agriculture at South East Technological University are well prepared to build careers in Ireland’s growing organic and sustainable agriculture sector. The programme equips students with strong scientific knowledge, practical farming ability, and business understanding, opening pathways into farm management, advisory services, agribusiness, and food production. It also supports long-term career growth as demand for sustainable and environmentally responsible farming continues to rise.

Typical graduate roles include Organic Farm Manager, Agricultural Advisor, Agribusiness Sales Representative, Quality Assurance Officer in organic certification, and roles in sustainable food production and environmental management.

University services supporting employment:

SETU Careers Service providing CV preparation, interview practice, and personalised career guidance
Structured farm and industry placements that help students build real connections with employers in agriculture and agri-food
Ongoing academic mentoring and placement supervision to strengthen employability and professional readiness

Employment stats and salary figures:

Strong employability due to extensive practical training and industry placement experience
Entry-level salaries vary depending on role, with clear opportunities for progression into higher-paying specialist and management positions
Growing organic and sustainable food sector supports stable long-term job opportunities

University–industry partnerships:

Collaboration with Teagasc and Kildalton Agricultural College for hands-on agricultural and organic farming training
Farm-based industry placements on commercial and organic farms
Direct exposure to real agri-food businesses and certification systems in the organic sector

Long-term accreditation value:

Supports eligibility for the Green Cert, required for young farmer schemes and land transfer in Ireland
Recognised Level 8 honours degree aligned with national standards in organic and sustainable agriculture

Graduation outcomes:

Ability to manage and operate organic farming systems effectively
Prepared for careers in farming, agribusiness, advisory services, and food production
Strong foundation for leadership roles in sustainable and environmentally focused agriculture

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can continue to postgraduate study such as Master’s degrees in Organic Agriculture, Agricultural Science, Sustainable Agriculture, Agribusiness, or Environmental Management at SETU or other higher education institutions.