Higher Certificate in Agriculture
| Duration: | Two Years |
|---|---|
| Awarding Body: | HETAC/Institute of Technology |
| Course Codes: | CR010, WD098, DK075 |
| Progression: | B Sc Agriculture (Level 7) at IT B Agr Sc Level 8 at UCD |
| Location: | Four Agricultural Colleges/Institutes of Technology |
| Method of application: | CAO |
| Maintenance Grant: | EC (means tested) |
Course Aim
This two year course, offered jointly by agricultural colleges and institutes of technology, is accredited by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC). The course has been developed to provide the education and training needed by future farmers and skilled workers in the agri industry.
Location
The following partnerships offer the National Certificate in Agriculture:
- Clonakilty College, Co Cork and Cork Institute of Technology. Course Code CR010.
- Kildalton College, Co Kilkenny and Waterford Institute of Technology. Course Code WD098.
- Ballyhaise College, Co Cavan and Dundalk Institute of Technology. Course Code DK075
Entry Requirements and Application Procedures
Applicants must apply through the CAO. They must have passes in five Leaving Certificate subjects at ordinary level grade D3 or better. The subjects passed must include Maths and either English or Irish. The standard points system is used to rank applicants. Holders of relevant Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) at Level 5 or Level 6 awards and mature students may also apply.
Career Prospects
As well as careers in farming, people completing this course can aspire to jobs in:
- Farm Management
- Environmental Management & Monitoring
- Agri Industry
- Sales & Marketing
- Quality Control
Course Structure and Content
The course is semesterised and modularised. There are two semesters in each year and students take 5-6 modules per semester.
Year One
During year one student’s spend four days per week at the Agricultural College and one day per week at the Institute of Technology. About 50% of the time is spent on practical instruction and 50% on classroom instruction.
Year Two
During year two students spend three days per week at the Agricultural College and two days/week at the Institute of Technology. Students take six subjects made up of three mandatory subjects and three elective subjects. Students must choose one elective subject from each of the three elective groups.
Mandatory subjects
- Farm business management
- Agricultural marketing and quality assurance
- Placement (March, April and May)
| Elective Group 1 | Elective Group 2 | Elective Group 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Dairy production | Cattle production | Farm building construction and maintenance |
| Sheep production | Crop production | Fabrication |
| Agricultural Mechanisation |
During the second semester of the second year, students spend 12 weeks on paid work placement on approved training farms.
On successful completion of the two year programme students are awarded the HETAC Higher Certificate in Agriculture. (This qualifies the student for Stamp Duty Exemption and Installation Aid).
Progression
Holders of the Higher Certificate in Agriculture are eligible to apply for the add-on Bachelor of Science Level 7 in Agriculture or to the B Agr Sc Level 8 at UCD.
