This is an undergraduate degree programme offered on a full-time basis. The programme is a collaborative programme between the NUI Universities and is delivered through a blended learning environment.

Normally, applicants will be required to be at least 23 on 1st January of the year of enrolment and have at least two years' experience in either a voluntary or professional capacity in a rural development organisation.

Holders of the Diploma in Rural Development by Distance Learning awarded by any of the four constituent universities of the NUI, are eligible to proceed to Level Two of the proposed BSc (Hons) Rural Development.

Level One of the programme is offered on a full-time basis. To be admitted to the Level One University Examination in Rural Development, a student must have satisfactorily attended prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits as follows:

LEVEL ONE

Students take 50 credits as follows:
FE1314 Introduction to Rural Development (5 credits)
FE1315 Rural Organisation (5 credits)
FE1316 Rural Economy (10 credits)
FE1317 Rural Society (10 credits)
FE1318 Rural Environment (10 credits)
FE1319 Communications for Rural Development (10 credits)

Students select 10 credits from the following:
FE1321 Social Farming (10 credits)
FE1322 Food Business (10 credits)

Award of Diploma

Students who have successfully completed Level One (60 credits) of the programme will be awarded a Diploma in Rural Development.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations

Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be available in the Marks and Standards 2016 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2015/2016, in advance of the relevant Examination.

Repeating Level One

Due to the cyclical nature of this programme and to allow students three attempts to pass the year, students taking Level One must pass the Level One University Examination in Rural Development within six academic years from the date of first registration for Level One. Failure to comply with this rule would mean that the student would be ineligible to proceed further with his/her studies. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the College, only for very serious reasons.

No student may register for Level Two of the programme until the Level One University Examination in Rural Development has been passed. Note: Holders of the Diploma in Rural Development will be eligible to proceed directly to Level Two. Level Two consists of modules to the value of 60 credits. In order to be admitted to the Level Two University Examination in Rural Development, a student must have satisfactorily attended prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits as follows:

LEVEL TWO

Students take 50 credits as follows:
FE2311 Rural Research Methods (10 credits)
FE2312 Integrated Rural development – Policy and Practice (10 credits)
FE2313 Rural Enterprise (10 credits)
FE2314 Integrated Rural Community Planning (10 credits)
FE2315 Professional Placement (10 credits)

Students select 10 credits from the following:
FE2316 Rural Tourism (10 credits)
FE2318 Social Economy (10 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations

Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be available in the Marks and Standards 2016 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2015/2016, in advance of the relevant Examination.

Repeating Level Two

Due to the cyclical nature of this programme and to allow students three attempts to pass the year, students taking Level Two must pass the Level Two University Examination in Rural Development within six academic years from the date of first registration for Level Two. Failure to comply with this rule would mean that the student would be ineligible to proceed further with his/her studies. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the College, only for very serious reasons.

No student may register for Level Three of the programme until the Level Two University Examination in Rural Development has been passed. Level Three consists of modules to the value of 60 credits.  In order to be admitted to the BSc (Hons) (Rural Development) Degree Examination, a student must have satisfactorily attended prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits as follows:

LEVEL THREE

Students take 50 credits as follows:
FE3308 Marketing and Business Skills for Rural Enterprise (10 credits)
FE3310 Financial Management (10 credits)
FE3311 Project Planning and Development (10 credits)
FE3312 Research Project/Minor Thesis (20 credits)

Students select 10 credits from the following:
FE3313 Marine and Natural Resources (10 credits)
FE3314 ICT and Rural Development (10 credits)
FE3315 Conservation and Management of the Rural Landscape (10 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations

Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be available in the Marks and Standards 2016 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2015/2016, in advance of the relevant Examination.

Repeating Level Three

Due to the cyclical nature of this programme and to allow students three attempts to pass the year, students taking Level Three must pass the Level Three University Examination in Rural Development within six academic years from the date of first registration for Level Three. Failure to comply with this rule would mean that the student would be ineligible to proceed further with his/her studies. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the College, only for very serious reasons.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc (Rural Development) (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a knowledge, understanding and application of the theory and practice underpinning sustainable rural development;
• Describe and appraise the current rural development policy framework, policy formulation process and trends within a local, national and European context;
• Research rural problems, interpret contemporary challenges facing rural communities, propose and implement appropriate solutions;
• Apply participative, socially inclusive practices of rural development;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the knowledge and skills required to establish and manage a successful rural enterprise;
• Identify and evaluate issues of equality, social inclusion and poverty in the context of rural development;
• Understand the economic, environmental and social criteria that may be used to determine sustainability (for agriculture and more generally rural development).