Horticulture

Course Code: 5M2586

Course Details

Award Title	Award Code	QQI Level	Status
Horticulture	5M2586	5	Open - Apply Now

Course Outline

This PLC horticulture course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of horticulture and the skills to pursue a career in this sector.

Fees

GCC Registration Fee of €250 applies to all learners.
€200 Government Levy Fee applies to all learners except:

Those in receipt of Back to Education Allowance.
Medical Card Holders (valid at time of Registration).
Those in receipt of a SUSI Grant.
Those on a VTOS scheme.

An exam free of €50 for QQI Level 5 and €80 for QQI Level 6 applies to all learners except

Those in receipt of Back to Education Allowance.
Medical Card Holders (valid at time of Registration).

Non EU Students are subject to an International Fee.

We advise non-EU citizens living outside Ireland to contact the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service on www.inisgov.ie to ensure the course you are considering applying for is eligible for a student visa. Non-EU citizens living in Ireland are welcome to apply and require a PPS number (Personal Public Service Number). Non-EU citizens are required to pay a tuition fee set by the Irish government which is currently €3653. Some exemptions apply, for further information, please contact http://www.gretb.ie .

Work Experience

Work practice takes place throughout the academic year. Students find their practice in various garden centres, nurseries, organic vegetable growers, florists, private and public gardens

Special Features

Suitable for beginners and those who want to broaden their knowledge of horticulture. Practical hands on course to learn how to grow your own vegetables, trees and shrubs. Practical work takes place in a 20 Metre Polythene Tunnel. Strong emphasis on growing food crops, tree and shrub identification and garden maintenance.

Entry Requirements

QQI Level 4, minimum of 17 years of age at time of registration, Leaving Certificate/Leaving Certificate Applied, Equivalent qualifications from other countries, relevant life experiences, relevant work experiences and mature students.

Please Note

Galway Community College reserves the right to make changes to any course, to limit the number of places available or to withdraw a course. No part of this information shall be deemed to form a contract between the college and a student or a third party.

Course Modules

Communications - 5N0690

This programme module aims to facilitate the learner to develop the academic, vocational & personal language, literacy and/or numeracy skills related to Communications. It will assist the learner in understanding the use of modern information and communications technology integrated with the role played by communications and relevant legislation in human interaction.

Database Methods - 5N0783

Using Microsoft Access, Learn how to create and modify databases under limited supervision.

Fruit and Vegetable Production - 5N2552

This module is a practical course which aims to provide the learner with the competence, skills and knowledge to grow a range of fruit and vegetables of marketable quality.

Landscape Construction and Maintenance - 5N1908

This programme module aims to equip the learner with the competence, skills and knowledge to learn about hard and soft landscaping , and to work the landscape construction and maintenance industry.

Ornamental Horticulture - 5N2548

This module aims to equip the learner with the skills and knowledge to select, plant and grow a range of ornamental horticultural plants in a variety of planting situations.

Plant Identification and Use - 5N2527

This module aims to give the student the skills and knowledge to identify a wide range of plants and to become familiar with their characteristics and use.

Plant Protection - 5N2546

This module aims to equip the learner with the knowledge, skills to identify a wide range of weeds, plant pests, diseases, disorders and the control measures used to protect horticultural plants and crops from their devastating effects.

Plant Science - 5N2528

This programme module aims to introduce the learner to the science of plants, their life cycles and their role in horticulture practice.

Soil Science and Growing Media - 5N2530

This module aims to introduce the science of soil and growing media to the learner and to develop an appreciation of the role of soil and growing media in horticulture.

Work Practice - 5N1433

This module aims to provide the learner with the practical knowledge, personal skills and ability to work in the horticulture industry.

Progression Routes

Advanced Certificate in Horticulture - QQI Level 6 College
Bachelor of Science in Horticulture - HETAC Level 7 Kildalton College
Bachelor of Science in Horticulture Honours Degree - HETAC Level 8 University
Advanced Certificate in Greenkeeping - QQI Level 6 Kinsealy Centre
BSc in Land Management in Agriculture/Forestry/Horticulture - HETAC Level 8 Waterford Institute of Technology

Career Opportunities

Past students have found work as Garden centre assistants, landscapers, nursery operatives and vegetable growers.

Other students have set up their own businesses as landscapers and Garden centre owners.

Video & Media

Course Coordinator

Sean O Loughlin

sean.oloughlin@gretb.ie

What Our Students Say

I enjoyed every minute of it. I'm just sorry I didn't do it sooner In life. I learned so much. Everyday was a learning curve and as I was told in the beginning you get out what your willing to put into it . Look at me I couldn't even use a laptop, now I'm flying it.
Des has started his own Garden Centre and landscaping business in Dunmore, Co. Galway.

Des Kenny 2015

My name is Max Newport and recently I completed Level 5 Horticulture at Galway Community College. Within the academic year of 2017-2018, I learned a wide range of horticulture techniques through both theoretical and practical experiences. Before enrolling in Level 5 Horticulture I had no prior knowledge of horticulture. Within 9 months I was able to name and identify a wide range of plants in Latin (a universal language for plants) and I learned suitable growing conditions for plants and how to care and maintain them. I highly recommend this course for any garden enthusiast, no matter what level of prior knowledge they have in the subject.

Max Newport 2019