Commercial Horticulture
The Commercial Horticulture course focuses on the propagation and cultivation of vegetables, soft fruit and herbs. Learners will have the opportunity to experiment growing their own produce in the college allotment. The programme also offers progression to Horticulture programmes at Level 6 in the college.
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
Duration
1 year full-time.
Entry Requirements
Leaving Certificate or equivalent advised, but mature students with work/life experience are welcome to apply.
Careers / Further progression
Career Opportunities
This course prepares graduates for a range of employment opportunities in domestic landscaping, private gardens, public parks, and nurseries. The Design elective allows students to look after large gardens while the market gardening elective prepares learners to cultivate a site suitable for food crop production, acquire skills in propagation, cultivation and harvesting of food crops.
Progression
Graduates who achieve the required standard may progress to the two-year part-time programme in Horticulture Supervision or Market Gardening Supervision at level 6. Alternatively, graduates may be eligible for advanced progression procedures to year 2 of Higher Certificate/Degree programmes in Horticulture through the CAO application process.
Examples of progression courses include:
- DCFE Level 6 Horticulture
- National Botanic Gardens, Horticulture
- UCD, DN272 Horticulture
Apply now to gain the practical knowledge and experience needed to pursue a career in horticulture!
Further information
Applications for September 2024 Now Open.
SUSI Grant
SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) is Ireland’s single national awarding authority for all higher and further education grants. SUSI offers funding to eligible students in approved full-time third-level education in Ireland and also, in some cases, funding for students studying outside of Ireland. Support is available to all types of students, from school leavers to mature students returning to education. www.susi.ie
1. Choose Your Course
To help choose your course:
- Visit our Programme Advisory Video on our website
- Read this prospectus or visit our website
- Visit the College (Advisory Meetings, Open Days, College Awareness Week)
- Talk to our Guidance Counsellor or Course Coordinator
2. Make Your Application:
When you have decided on your course(s) you should:
- Complete our online application form. You must have a valid email address, mobile number, and your PPSN number to apply online.
- All applications are acknowledged through our online Enrol system. The status of your application can be tracked 24/7 by logging into your Enrol account, which is created for you when you first apply.
3. Advisory Meeting
- Soon after making your online application you will receive an email and text from the College inviting you to view our online Information Session, or attend one of our regular Open Advisory Meetings where any questions can be answered in person.
- Admission to courses are advisory in nature, though some entry criteria apply to all our courses. Leaving Cert/Leaving Cert Applied or its equivalent is normally a requirement, though the College can look at individual cases where criteria may not be met. The advisory meeting also ensures that mature students (over 23) are matched to the right course.
- Following this session/advisory meeting, you will receive an email with details on how to accept your place on the course.
4. Accept Your Place
When you decide to accept your place:
- A non-refundable deposit of €50 can be made by credit or debit card through the Website. The College is a cashless centre and will not normally accept cash or cheques. If you have any issues making your payment please contact the college.
5. Registration and Induction
- Induction and orientation sessions take place at the commencement of courses in September.
- The College will notify applicants of induction and commencement dates, details of fees and the academic calendar.
Aim
The Level 5 Horticulture courses are highly recommended for those interested in hands-on, realistic experience in all aspects of gardening. The chore modules prepare learners to work as craft gardeners, with emphasis in sustainable and organic methods that are friendly with the environment. 60% of the course involves working in charity gardens nearby, established private and public parks as well as college garden space. All with the guidance of the tutors. All the skills are demonstrated in the form of workshops and learners develop great confidence by the end of the academic year. Work placement involves 440 hours in total and our partners are well established organisations that many times offer a job position to students at the end.
Core Modules:
Communications
Plant Protection
Work Practice
Elective Modules:
Fruit & Vegetable Production
Plant Propagation
Soil Science and Growing Media
Plant Science
Plant Identification and Use
Ornamental Horticulture
Modules offered may be subject to change due to resource demands.
Work Placement/Gardening Projects
The course includes 440 hours of practical experience, with a range of gardening projects in public parks, private gardens and college grounds. Students will also design and help build a garden for St Michael’s House and maintain the gardens of Simpson’s Nursing Home and Airfield.
5M2586 - Horticulture.
Certification: QQI Level 5 Horticulture Code 5M2586.
Dundrum College of Further Education,
Dundrum Main Street,
Dundrum,
Dublin 14,
D14 HD83
Email: info@dcfe.ie
Tel: +353 1 298 5412