Full-time Horticulture courses

At Kildalton College we offer a range of full time courses, from Level 5 to 7. Our courses are delivered through a combination of classwork and practical skills training along with a period of external practical learning placement. Students receive training in both commercial and amenity horticulture while on these courses.

Level 5 Certificate in Horticulture

This course is a one year introductory course into the horticulture industry. It provides education and training for people who wish to pursue a career in the commercial or amenity horticulture. This course is ideal for those interested in horticulture and thinking of pursuing a career in horticulture and those who want to increase their knowledge of horticultural skills. In this course students get to experience a wide range of areas within the horticultural industry including nursery production, fruit and vegetable, turfgrass, landscape design and maintenance.

Duration:

This is a one year full time course which runs from September to May.

Course Structure and Content:

This course is a combination of formal course work and a period of practical learning. The formal course work is split 50:50 between practical skills training and classroom (theoretical) sessions. Students are based at Kildalton College 5 days per week. The practical learning period is partly completed in the college horticultural unit (1day per week) and 4 weeks at a Teagasc registered host within the industry.

Application Process:

Applications for this course are made online. There is no prerequisite to apply for this course. Students who have completed the Leaving Certificate are likely to benefit most from this course. Applicants must be 17 before the 1st of January in the year after starting the course.

Fees:

Currently the fees for this course are €990. This fee does not include accommodation and food costs. Please note: Where an applicant is the holder of a major award at Level 6 or higher, an additional course charge of €1,000 is applied.

Student Maintenance Grant:

Students completing this course are eligible to apply for the Teagasc Student Maintenance Grant Scheme. This grant equates with the rate of Maintenance Grant set by the Department of Education and Skills based on the number of course contact weeks.

Progression:

Students who successfully complete this course can apply for the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Horticulture. Graduates of this course can also apply to enter 1st year of the Bachelor of Science in Horticulture at SETU through the CAO.

Course Details: Teagasc Level 5 Certificate in Horticulture

Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Horticulture

The aim of this course is to equip the graduate for a career in horticulture or to further develop knowledge and skills. There are various job opportunities in the commercial and amenity sectors of horticulture for skilled graduates as technicians, supervisors or managers. Students who opt for this course must choose a specialised sector of horticulture to study.

Duration:

1 year (full time) from September to May.

Course Structure and Content:

This course is a combination of formal course work and practical learning period. Students complete the practical learning period of this course from September and are in Kildalton College for the theoretical part of the course from January to May (end of June for the Landscape Design and Construction Stream)

Application Process:

Applications for this course are made online. Applicants for this course must have successfully completed a full level 5 certificate in horticulture before commencing this course.

Fees:

Currently the fees for this course are €990. This fee does not include accommodation and food costs. Please note: Where an applicant is the holder of a major award at Level 6 or higher, an additional course charge of €1,000 is applied.

Student Maintenance Grant: Students completing this course are eligible to apply for the Teagasc Student Maintenance Grant Scheme. This equates with the rate of Maintenance Grant set by the Department of Education and Skills based on the number of course contact weeks.

Progression:

Students who successfully complete this course can apply for Advanced Entry to the Bachelor of Science in Horticulture, WIT directly through the CAO. The application for advanced entry closes in May each year.

Course Details: Teagasc Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Horticulture

Students have successfully completed this course have fulfilled the requirements for start up assistance and schemes as a young trained farmer i.e. Green Cert Status

Bachelor of Science in Horticulture

This is a 3 year full time course designed to train professional horticulturalists. This course is run in conjunction to South East Technological University, with parts of the course delivered in both centres. The laboratory and business based modules are taught at the SETU Cork Road campus and the horticulture modules are taught at Kildalton College. There is a free shuttle bus service operating between SETU and Kildalton College daily.

Applications for this course are made through the CAO. Students who have successfully completed both the Level 5 Certificate in Horticulture and the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Horticulture can apply directly through the CAO for advanced transfer into 2nd year of this course. For more information contact the programme leader, Dr Cara Daly at cdaly@wit.ie

For Information on the Bachelor of Science in Horticulture at WIT/Kildalton College WD096

Students have successfully completed this course have fulfilled the requirements for start-up assistance and schemes as a young trained farmer i.e. Green Cert Status