BSc Rural Development
Diploma in Rural Development
Key facts
Entry requirements
Applicants should meet the University’s requirements for mature students, that is anyone over 23 years of age for the purposes of full-time study and 21 years for students interested in taking a course on a part-time basis.
Duration:
1 year for Certificate, 2 years, part-time for the part-time Diploma or 1 year full-time Diploma and further 2 years for the BSc
Next start date: September 2012. Contact the programme coordinator for commencement dates in subsequent academic years
ECTS weighting: Continuing Professional Development - 10 ECTS, Certificate - 30 ECTS, Diploma - 60 ECTS (30 per annum); Degree – 180 ECTS
Average intake: 40
NFQ level: 8
Course overview
The Certificate, Diploma and BSc in Rural Development reflect a creative distance-learning multi-university approach to studying changing economic, social and environmental issues in rural areas. The programme will provide students with a sound theoretical and applied knowledge of all aspects of Rural Development. The course modules are complemented by online teaching and weekend workshops at the participating universities. In addition, the programme provides the option for continuing professional development on a module by module basis.
Who is the course intended for?
The course is targeted towards mature learners seeking a third level qualification with an interest in rural affairs and community development as well as Rural Enterprise managers and entrepreneurs, Enterprise support and Local authority staff and Rural and Community Development activists seeking continuing professional development opportunities.
Course outline
Year 1 Diploma
Year 1 Part-time
Introduction to Rural Development, Rural Organisation, Rural Economy, Rural Environment.
Year 2 Part-time
Rural Society, Communications for Rural Development
*Options: Community Education OR Social Farming OR Food Business
Year 2 Degree
Rural Research Methods, Integrated Rural Development Policy, Rural Enterprise, Intergrated Rural Community Planning, Professional Placement.
*Options: Rural Tourism OR Renewable Energy OR Social Economy
Year 3 Full-time
Marketing & Business Skills for Rural Enterprise, Financial Management, Project Planning and Development, Research Project/Minor Thesis
*Options: Marine and Natural Resources OR ICT and Rural Development OR Conservation & Management of the Rural Landscape OR Eco-politics of food and nutrition
*Not offered in all years and subject to min. enrolment
Applications and selections
Applications forms are available from:
Dr. Nadine Jeserich, Programme Coordinator
School of Business and Economics
NUI Galway
T + 353 91 492177
E rutac@nuigalway.ie
Requirements and assessment
Find out more
Dr. Nadine Jeserich, Programme Coordinator
School of Business and Economics
NUI Galway
T + 353 91 492177
E rutac@nuigalway.ie
Fees for this course
EU (Total): €Dip 1,967, Degree 3,345
Current students
Pat Talty
Rural Development
"... Following the untimely death of my father in 1979 I was unable to continue formal education and took over the running of the family dairy farm at the age of 18. However, I always maintained an interest and involvement in rural affairs and was an active member in IFA. The BSc in Rural Development, delivered through distance learning and monthly workshops, enabled me to return to education and obtain a degree in 2006. The course has equipped me with the knowledge, skills, confidence and understanding of rural issues and I now combine my dairy enterprise with a supervisory post with Clare Local Development Company ..."