Full-time undergraduate third-level courses: UCD: agricultural science, landscape horticulture option. Four year full-time course. 1997/98 points: 380* (* random selection applied so not all at this points level were offered a place).
Teagasc:
The college of amenity horticulture, National Botanic Gardens, offers a three-year full-time diploma. Places are allocated on the basis of an aptitude test.
Post Leaving Cert courses:
A number of PLC colleges offer amenity horticulture and greenkeeping courses. These are usually one year in duration and admission is generally by interview and a minimum of five passes in the Leaving Cert is required. Check with your local VEC or PLC college for details.
MSc in landscape architecture:
Offered by UCD, this programme is open to graduates of related programmes, such as geography and architecture, as well as agricultural science graduates.
Related courses:
Commercial horticulture courses concentrate on the production of plants and crops while amenity courses concentrate on landscape design, construction and maintenance.
There is a commercial horticulture option within UCD's agriculture degree and Teagasc offers a diploma in commercial horticulture in three colleges. Teagasc also offers a horticultural skills programme which is aimed at people seeking work as skilled operatives in nurseries, garden centre and parks. In addition, craft courses in horticulture are provided by Teagasc and sponsored by FAS.
