National Diploma in Horticulture
Course Aim
The course aims to provide the student with a firm grounding in technical skills in the areas of landscape design and construction, sport turf management, nursery stock production and food crop production. Throughout the course students acquire a knowledge of the identification and use of plants in the environment. They also gain an understanding of the concepts and processes of management and information technology.
Location
The course is offered jointly by horticultural colleges and Institutes of Technology. It is accredited by the Higher Educational Training Awards Council (HETAC).
The three partnerships offering the course are:
- Kildalton College, Co Kilkenny and Waterford Institute of Technology (Code: WD096)
- College of Amenity Horticulture, National Botanic Gardens, Dublin and Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown, Dublin (Code: BN008)
- Salesian Horticultural College, Warrenstown, Co Meath and Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown, Dublin (Code: BN007)
On successful completion students are awarded the National Diploma in Horticulture (this award meets the training requirement for Stamp Duty exemption and Installation Aid).
Entry Requirements and Application Procedures
Recruitment to the course is through the CAO. Applicants 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. Holders of relevant Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) awards and mature students may also apply. If there are more applicants than places, the standard points system will be used to rank applicants.
FETAC linked courses that meet minimum entry requirements
| Course | Award | Course Level |
|---|---|---|
| CHXXX | Advanced Certificate in Horticulture | 2 |
| CASHX | Applied Science - Horticulture | 2 |
Course Structure and Content
Year One
- During year one students spend four days per week at the Horticultural College and one day per week at the Institute of Technology.
- Students take these five subjects: introduction to horticulture; science and Maths for horticulture; computer application and communications; horticultural business management; horticultural mechanisation.
Year Two
- Students spend five days per week at the Horticultural College.
- Students take six subjects made up of four mandatory subjects and two elective subjects. Students must choose one subject from each of the elective groups. Mandatory subjects: building construction; marketing and quality assurance; plant identification and use; placement 1.
| Elective group 1 | Elective group 2 |
|---|---|
| Nursery stock production | Floristry |
| Landscape design | Food crops under protection |
| Food crop production | Ornamental crop production |
| Greenkeeping | Mushroom production |
| Landscape construction |
During the period from March in year two to October in year three students spend 30 weeks on work placement on approved training horticultural units. At the end of year two students may apply for a limited number of places on the B Agr Sc (Hort) course at UCD. Results of the second year examinations are taken into account.
Year Three
- Students spend one day per week at the Horticultural College and four days at the Institute of Technology.
- Students take six subjects made up of five mandatory subjects and one elective subject.
- Mandatory subjects: customer service, human resource management, placement, project, horticultural business management.
Elective subjects: garden centre operations, sportsturf, speciality food crops, interior landscaping.
