This introductory horticultural course is suitable for people who wish to:

• Make their careers in horticulture
• Assess their area of preference in horticulture
• Develop knowledge and skills in horticultural areas
• Progress to an Advanced Certificate in Horticulture
• Transfer to linked courses through the Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS)

The course consists of 28 weeks course work at a horticultural college and a four- week practical learning period with an approved horticultural unit. Course work concentrates on scientific and economic principles underlying horticulture and the application of these principles to particular enterprises.

The four-week practical training period may be in garden centres, nurseries, amenity parks, golf courses or fruit and vegetable production units.

Horticulture plays a central role in creating, maintaining, and enhancing the landscapes we live in. Trained Horticulturists play a key role in creating beautiful places for recreation and relaxation. Parks, golf courses, public and private gardens would not be possible without skilled people to design, build and care for them. Even fresh fruit and vegetables, key to a healthy lifestyle, are produced by horticulturists.

Horticulture is a diverse industry with wide-ranging career opportunities, from producing plants for garden centres, working on golf courses, or landscaping, right through to fruit and vegetable production.

This course is a fulltime, one year advanced course for students wishing to progress into careers in the horticultural sector. It provides education and training for people who wish to pursue a career in commercial or amenity horticulture. It is delivered over a 32 week period, consisting of either 24 or 16 weeks of College based course work, and 8 or 16 weeks of a practical learning period (PLP) depending on the chosen stream.

The course, which is a progression from the Level 5 Certificate in Horticulture, is accredited by QQI. This course provides students with the opportunity to acquire management knowledge and skills to effectively manage and carry out day-to-day tasks and long-term management of commercial horticultural enterprises.

The course is suitable for those:

• Seeking employment as surpervisors, technicians, unit managers
• Seeking employment in the horticultural business service sector
• Transferring to Year 2 of the BSc Horticulture offered by Waterford IT

The course will be offered in four main streams of learning: Food Production, Nursery Production, Landscaping and Sports Turf depending on student demand. Students complete one of the four streams.

Students will spend 16 weeks of practical learning on approved horticultural units within the industry directly linked to their chosen learning stream. This will enable students to learn the management and manual skills associated with their chosen specialism.

Sixteen weeks are also spent at the College. The emphasis during this course is both on the development of business and management skills and also on developing proficiency in a range of skills associated their chosen stream of learning.

Students who successfully complete this programme are awarded the QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Horticulture. This meets the training requirements for Stamp Duty Exemption and DAFM Schemes.

The Honours Degree in Horticulture (Top Up), validated by Ulster University, enhances the the science, technology and innovation taught at Foundation Degree and students undertake a reasearch project in a topic of their choice. Foundation Degree graduates will undertake bridging modules, commencing in May and then complete the course over one year of full-time or two years of part-time study.

The purpose of this award is to enable the learner to acquire the knowledge, skill and competence to supervise work in a range of horticultural areas using specialised skills. The course is a fulltime, one year advanced course for students wishing to progress into careers in the horticultural sector. It provides education and training for people who wish to pursue a career in commercial or amenity horticulture.

The practical element of the course will take place in the gardens of Birr Castle Demesne.

This course is a fulltime, one year advanced course for students wishing to progress into careers in the horticultural sector. It provides education and training for people who wish to pursue a career in commercial or amenity horticulture. It is delivered over a 32 week period, consisting of either 24 or 16 weeks of College based course work, and 8 or 16 weeks of a practical learning period (PLP) depending on the chosen stream.

The course, which is a progression from the Level 5 Certificate in Horticulture, is accredited by QQI. This course provides students with the opportunity to acquire management knowledge and skills to effectively manage and carry out day-to-day tasks and long-term management of commercial horticultural enterprises.

The course is suitable for those:

• Seeking employment as surpervisors, technicians, unit managers
• Seeking employment in the horticultural business service sector
• Transferring to Year 2 of the BSc Horticulture offered by Waterford IT

The course will be offered in four main streams of learning: Food Production, Nursery Production, Landscaping and Sports Turf depending on student demand. Students complete one of the four streams.

Students will spend 16 weeks of practical learning on approved horticultural units within the industry directly linked to their chosen learning stream. This will enable students to learn the management and manual skills associated with their chosen specialism.

Sixteen weeks are also spent at the College. The emphasis during this course is both on the development of business and management skills and also on developing proficiency in a range of skills associated their chosen stream of learning.

Students who successfully complete this programme are awarded the QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Horticulture. This meets the training requirements for Stamp Duty Exemption and DAFM Schemes.

This course is a fulltime, one year advanced course for students wishing to progress into careers in the horticultural sector. It provides education and training for people who wish to pursue a career in commercial or amenity horticulture. It is delivered over a 32 week period, consisting of either 24 or 16 weeks of College based course work, and 8 or 16 weeks of a practical learning period (PLP) depending on the chosen stream.

The course is suitable for those:

• Seeking employment as surpervisors, technicians, unit managers
• Seeking employment in the horticultural business service sector
• Transferring to Year 2 of the BSc Horticulture offered by Waterford IT

The course will be offered in four main streams of learning: Food Production, Nursery Production, Landscaping and Sports Turf depending on student demand. Students complete one of the four streams.

Students will spend 16 weeks of practical learning on approved horticultural units within the industry directly linked to their chosen learning stream. This will enable students to learn the management and manual skills associated with their chosen specialism.

Sixteen weeks are also spent at the College. The emphasis during this course is both on the development of business and management skills and also on developing proficiency in a range of skills associated their chosen stream of learning.

Students who successfully complete this programme are awarded the QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Horticulture. This meets the training requirements for Stamp Duty Exemption and DAFM Schemes.

This course is a fulltime, one year advanced course for students wishing to progress into careers in the horticultural sector. It provides education and training for people who wish to pursue a career in commercial or amenity horticulture. It is delivered over a 32 week period, consisting of either 24 or 16 weeks of College based course work, and 8 or 16 weeks of a practical learning period (PLP) depending on the chosen stream.

The course is suitable for those:

• Seeking employment as surpervisors, technicians, unit managers
• Seeking employment in the horticultural business service sector
• Transferring to Year 2 of the BSc Horticulture offered by Waterford IT

The course will be offered in four main streams of learning: Food Production, Nursery Production, Landscaping and Sports Turf depending on student demand. Students complete one of the four streams.

Students will spend 16 weeks of practical learning on approved horticultural units within the industry directly linked to their chosen learning stream. This will enable students to learn the management and manual skills associated with their chosen specialism.

Sixteen weeks are also spent at the College. The emphasis during this course is both on the development of business and management skills and also on developing proficiency in a range of skills associated their chosen stream of learning.

Students who successfully complete this programme are awarded the QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Horticulture. This meets the training requirements for Stamp Duty Exemption and DAFM Schemes.

Horticulture plays a central role in creating, maintaining, and enhancing the landscapes we live in. Pretty, pollinator-friendly floral displays are the backdrop in our thriving tourist towns. The pristine golf courses and pitches we compete on, and the beautiful parks, gardens, and urban landscapes we relax in would not be possible without the skills and knowledge of Ireland’s trained horticulturists. 

With a focus on environmentally friendly practices and innovative technologies, this degree equips you with the knowledge and skills to become a competent and confident leader in the horticulture community. By studying core science subjects and specialist horticulture and environment modules, you will gain an understanding of sustainable management of food and ornamental plant production, knowledge of protecting and enhancing biodiversity and habitats, designing and managing landscapes, and the benefits of horticultural therapy.

This part-time, two-year program provides a comprehensive introduction to both the theoretical and practical worlds of horticulture.The curriculum covers production and amenity horticulture with a modern focus on sustainability, design, and commercial awareness. The course is specifically designed to be accessible through the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI), allowing those on social welfare to study while retaining their benefits, while also remaining open to other applicants for a nominal fee.

The aim of this award is to enable the learner to carry out horticulture operations independently or under direction in a range of fields. The award will also enable learners to prepare for progression to a horticultural specialisation at level 6.

Over the year, by combining classroom and practical elements, students will develop and enhance their knowledge and will acquire the skills required to start a career in the expanding area of Horticulture and the Green Economy or to progress on to further education.