Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture

Course details

This course, accredited by FETAC, is the introductory course for young people who wish to make their career as farmers. The course is suitable for people seeking employment on farms. Graduates of the course are eligible to:

• Progress to an Advanced Certificate in Agriculture
• Transfer to Year 2 of the Higher Certificate in Agriculture or a BSc in Agriculture at an Institute of Technology
• Transfer to linked courses at Institutes of Technology through the Higher Education Links Scheme

Entry Requirements and Application Procedures

This course is offered on a full-time basis at colleges. Applicants for the full-time programme must have completed the senior cycle of a second level school or be 17 years old or over on 1 January following entry to the course.

The course may also be offered on a part-time basis to mature students at Agricultural Colleges and Teagasc Regional Education Centres. Applicants must be 23 years old or over on 1 January following entry to the course.

Course Structure and Content

The course consists of a combination of formal course work and a period of practical learning. The formal course work is split 50:50 (approx) between practical/ skills training and classroom (theoretical) sessions. The course consists of a range of mandatory and elective modules.

Students choose a cluster of elective modules in one of the following specialisms: dairy production, drystock production, machinery and crop production.

Progression

Students with this Level 5 award may progress to the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture or a Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farm Administration (Teagasc Green Cert).

Students with this Level 5 award may apply, via the Higher Education Links Scheme, for the Higher Certificate in Agriculture/BSc in Agriculture. Students with the Level 5 award at merit or distinction may apply directly to Waterford, Cork and Dundalk ITs for direct entry to Year 2 of the Higher Certificate in Agriculture/BSc in Agriculture.