Why choose a Teagasc course?
Teagasc is unrivalled in the depth of knowledge and expertise it can draw on to support your education. Our education courses offer a hands on environment, real life experience and meet the 'trained farmer' requirements. Learn more on the benefits of studying with Teagasc in this article.
Teagasc is at the cutting edge of research and knowledge transfer for the land and agri-food sectors. Teagasc engages with all land sector areas including farming, agricultural mechanisation, horticulture, forestry and equine.
‘Hands on’ environment
Teaching and learning is typically split 50:50 between classroom and outdoor practical instruction. Our practical instruction allows mutual interaction to develop between tutors and students in a ‘hands on’ learning environment. We strongly encourage the development of problem solving, decision making and planning capabilities, utilising discussion groups, visits to external farms and other facilities and external speakers in our delivery approach.
Real life experience
As a full-time student, you will also spend time away from the college on a host farm or unit. This is called a Practical Learning Period (PLP) and is part of our Level 5 and Level 6 programmes. Our students particularly value the real life experience gained from their PLP. For Level 6 programmes, we encourage and facilitate students to complete their PLP overseas. Our PLP programmes are delivered through a network of over 1,000 registered host farms and units. Work-based learning is a major component of Teagasc apprenticeships programmes. Apprentices are employed with a SOLAS approved employer and earn as they learn.
Teagasc Education’s link with Research and Advisory
Research farms have been developed at a number of colleges. There are also specialised resources and facilities at Teagasc’s two horticultural colleges to enable hands-on learning for horticultural learners and likewise for the equine and forestry programmes at the relevant college. Our adult part-time and distance education courses are delivered across Teagasc’s 12 advisory regions and the agricultural college network.
After you graduate
Teagasc offers more than an education. After graduation, we encourage you to avail of our advisory and research services, discussion group network and continuous professional development programmes for farmers and growers. If you take up a career in the wider agri-food sector we encourage you to avail of the Teagasc ConnectEd programme. Further updates will be published on the Teagasc website, or by contacting your local agricultural or horticultural college.
Benefits of Training with Teagasc
Teagasc is the leading provider of accredited further education for the land sector. Teagasc also has a major input into higher education and postgraduate education delivery through its extensive partnership with the higher education sector. Apprenticeship training is now available in agriculture, farm management, horticulture and sports turf management.
Become a 'Trained Farmer'
National policy has prioritised ‘young trained farmers’ for various farm schemes and incentives. Graduates of Teagasc training courses meet the training qualification to become a ‘young trained farmer’. Measures and schemes include:
- Young Farmers Scheme;
- National Reserve Scheme – Young Farmer Category;
- Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS);
- Registered Farm Partnerships/ Collaborative Farming Grant Scheme;
- Stamp Duty Exemption on Transfers of Land to Young Trained Farmers;
- Capital Acquisitions Tax Relief;
- Stock Relief on Income Tax for Certain Young Trained Farmers.
Teagasc has recently published our full Course Prospectus 2024. Learn more about the courses offered by Teagasc here.