Expand+A pass in five subjects (Ordinary level) to include Mathematics and English or Irish. A pass is Ordinary 6 (O6) or Higher 7 (H7) grade or higher.

Foundation level Mathematics at Grade F2 or higher counts as a subject towards the five passes.

R...

Hide-A pass in five subjects (Ordinary level) to include Mathematics and English or Irish. A pass is Ordinary 6 (O6) or Higher 7 (H7) grade or higher.

Foundation level Mathematics at Grade F2 or higher counts as a subject towards the five passes.

Results in Foundation Level Irish in the Leaving Certificate, or results in the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme do not satisfy these minimum entry requirements.

Applicants are advised that despite the fact that Foundation Level Mathematics meet the minimum Mathematics requirement for entry into some of our courses, some employers require Ordinary Level Mathematics or higher to meet minimum educational attainment for some positions.

Currently the results in more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate examination will be counted towards meeting this minimum requirement. However, additional requirements may be specified for some courses. Please check details of the minimum requirement for each course as set out above.

Bonus points for Higher Level Mathematics
25 bonus points will continue to be awarded for Higher level Mathematics, at grades H6 and above, in a manner similar to the old scheme.

Expand+Applications From Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) Students

Holders of the LCVP apply in the normal way through the CAO system. Points are awarded on the same basis as per the Leaving Certificate.

The LCVP subject will be consi...

Hide-Applications From Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) Students

Holders of the LCVP apply in the normal way through the CAO system. Points are awarded on the same basis as per the Leaving Certificate.

The LCVP subject will be considered as a passing subject provided the student achieves at least a pass grade. This will apply to entry for Honours Degree (NFQ Level 8), Ordinary Degree (NFQ Level 7) and Higher Certificate (NFQ Level 6) academic courses.

The following points scoring system will be used:
Pass 28
Merit 46
Distinction 66

Expand+Applicants Presenting QQI-FET (Formerly FETAC) Awards (furthermore Denoted As QQI)

The minimum entry requirements for graduates of QQI (Level 5 or 6) awards are as follows:

1. For entry to a Higher Certificate course (NFQ Level 6) and to an A...

Hide-Applicants Presenting QQI-FET (Formerly FETAC) Awards (furthermore Denoted As QQI)

The minimum entry requirements for graduates of QQI (Level 5 or 6) awards are as follows:

1. For entry to a Higher Certificate course (NFQ Level 6) and to an Ab Initio Ordinary Degree course (NFQ Level 7) a full QQI (Level 5 or 6) award is required.

2. For entry to an Ab Initio Honours Degree course (NFQ Level 8) a full QQI (Level 5 or 6) award in a related area and including distinction grades in at least 3 components is required.

For entry to the majority of courses a full award may be accumulated over more than one academic year. In such cases it is the responsibility of the applicant to apply to QQI for a full award. However, for entry to certain courses an award achieved in a single sitting may be required.

Also, for some courses, specific component awards in Mathematics must be included in the QQI award presented for entry. Such requirements are detailed on the ITB website (www.itb. ie/fetac)

Expand+The Institute welcomes applications from mature students and a number of places on each course are reserved for such applicants.

Mature applicants are those who are over 23 years of age on 1st January of the year of entry. Applicants in this cate...

Hide-The Institute welcomes applications from mature students and a number of places on each course are reserved for such applicants.

Mature applicants are those who are over 23 years of age on 1st January of the year of entry. Applicants in this category may be accepted on a course without meeting the formal minimum entry requirements if ITB is satisfied that they have the basic ability and academic foundation to follow the course and to take the examinations successfully. Mature applicants seeking a place on a full-time ITB course must apply through the CAO and are advised to do so by February 1st.

As the number of applications for consideration as mature applicants is increasing, it is necessary to rank applicants for available places.

Mature applicants will be required to demonstrate that they meet the eligibility requirements for third level education via:

1. Assessment of Suitability by ITB This option applies to mature applicants who do not wish to compete on the basis of a Leaving Certificate examination, QQI level 5 or 6 award or equivalent.

Such applicants will be assessed based on their performance in an assessment which they will be invited to attend at the Institute. Further details available at www.itb.ie.

2. Presentation of Leaving Certificate examination results, QQI Level 5 or 6 award or equivalent

Mature applicants who have completed the Leaving Certificate examination or a full QQI level 5 or 6 award at any time prior to 2017, may wish to compete for a place solely on the basis of these results.

A full QQI award generally consists of 8 modules. A record of achievement or component certificate will not meet the entry requirements. A copy of Leaving Certificate results or QQI Award(s) must be submitted to CAO as part of the application process.

Mature applicants who are demonstrating eligibility via this option must ensure that they have met the minimum entry requirements for the courses for which they have applied by logging on to www.itb.ie or discussing this matter with a member of the Marketing Team on (01) 8851530.

Offers of places are made to successful mature students by CAO in the normal way.

Expand+Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20th January 2018 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1st February 2018 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1st May 2...

Hide-Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20th January 2018 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1st February 2018 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1st May 2018 at 5:15 pm

Change of Mind - restrictions apply: Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1st July 2018 5:15 pm

Exceptional online late application - see page 14 of the 2018 CAO Handbook: Fee €60 Closing Date: 22nd July 2018 at 5:15pm

You should avoid submitting an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all fees are non-refundable.

LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5:15pm on 1st February 2018 and will be accepted up to 5:15pm on 1st May 2018, subject to the restricitions listed on page 3 of the 2018 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5th March 2018 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.

Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the Timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22nd of July at 5:15pm applies only to applicants who are currently undergraduate students in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system.

If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.

Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.

Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, Maynooth University and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.

Refer to page 15 of the 2018 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.

Restricted-category Applicants
Mature applicants – most HEIs will require mature applicants, who wish to be assessed on mature grounds, to have applied to CAO by 1st February 2018 at 5:15pm. (This restriction does not apply if the applicant wishes to be considered on the basis of school leaving qualifications only.) For more information about applying to CAO on the basis of mature years go to www.cao.ie/mature.

Applying for the HEAR and/or DARE schemes – to be considered for the HEAR and/or DARE schemes applicants must have registered on the CAO system by 1st February 2018 at 5:15pm and must have completed the HEAR/DARE application form by 1st March 2018 at 5:15pm – supporting documents must be sent to CAO offices before 1st April 2018 at 5:15pm.

Expand+What
Horticulture reaches many aspects of peoples' lives, perhaps without them even realising it; from the food that they eat, to the flowers and plants they purchase for themselves or as gifts, to the gardens, parks and sports facilities they use f...

Hide-What
Horticulture reaches many aspects of peoples' lives, perhaps without them even realising it; from the food that they eat, to the flowers and plants they purchase for themselves or as gifts, to the gardens, parks and sports facilities they use for relaxation and recreation. Horticulture is a significant contributor to the Irish economy with Bord Bia (March 2015) suggesting that the Irish Horticultural Industry has an estimated annual farmgate value of €380 million with over 6,000 employed in the sector (full time, part time and seasonal workers).

The 'Garden Market Value' research (Ipsos MRBI on behalf of Bord Bia, March 2015), shows Irish consumers’ gardening spend has increased by 22% since 2011 to reach €631 million in 2014. Landscaping, referring to any consumer spend on garden design and maintenance, is valued at €118 million, an increase of 22% since 2011. In 2013, the Federation of Irish Sport estimated that overseas visitors in the golfing sector brought in €202 million to the Irish economy.

The hands-on and practical horticulture courses offered at ITB are designed to develop the knowledge, skills and practical experience needed to work in the dynamic and developing horticulture sector.

Why
A qualification in horticulture offers the graduate a wide range of interesting and challenging career options; previous graduates have secured employment in landscape design, stadia groundskeeping, garden centres and nurseries, organic and conventional food production, golf course management, parks and gardens management and teaching horticulture. There are numerous employment opportunities in Ireland and worldwide for qualified horticulturists. Many graduates have successfully established their own businesses in these sectors also.

Who
Many horticulture careers involve physical activity and working outdoors — so if you’re the active, creative, entrepreneurial type, who enjoys challenging and hands-on work; if you’re interested in biodiversity and the environment, how and where your food is grown and how parks and golf courses are designed and cared for, then you should consider a career in Horticulture.

How
Incorporating both the theoretical and practical aspects of horticulture, our courses introduce students to the basic concepts in first year. Expanding and developing this knowledge into more advanced theories and ideas in subsequent years. Students study modules on vegetable and fruit production, organic and sustainable growing, floristry and interior landscapes, food product development, tree management, landscape design and turfgrass management as well as information technology skills for horticulture, starting and managing small businesses and research skills.

We offer practical hands-on opportunities to develop skills through real life practical projects, often engaging with local community groups, to design and build gardens to a brief and within a set budget. Students spend time on the restoration of the renowned Beech Park Garden in Clonsilla and in June 2015, the Fingal Co. Co./ITB Horticulture Department garden won a silver-gilt medal and ‘Best Small Garden’ at the Bloom Festival; students were involved in all aspects of the garden, from design through growing the plants, constructing the garden and planting up and putting the finishing touches to the garden. These activities allow students to develop their team-working skills while getting to know each other and their lecturers in a working environment. Work placement is an essential part of these courses, immersing students in the workplace, practicing the skills they have learned and gaining valuable experience in the industry to improve their employability in the future.

Expand+Year 1
• IT & Professional Development
• Soil Science
• Plant Identification and Classification
• Horticultural Calculations & Measurements
• Plant & Landscape Skills
• Plant Biology
• Plant Identification - Use & Management
• Machinery & Eq...

Hide-Year 1
• IT & Professional Development
• Soil Science
• Plant Identification and Classification
• Horticultural Calculations & Measurements
• Plant & Landscape Skills
• Plant Biology
• Plant Identification - Use & Management
• Machinery & Equipment Skills
• Graphics & CAD for Horticulture
• Plant Nutrition
• Horticulture in the Community
• Plant Propagation

Year 2
• Vegetable Production
• Ecology & Diversity
• Turf Grass ID & Establishment
• Integrated Crop Management
• Nursery Stock Production
• Landscape Construction
• Industry Placement
• Start Your Own Business
• Contracts, Specifications & Tenders

Year 3
• Horticultural Project Management
• Marketing a Horticultural Enterprise
• Trees & Woodlands
• Fruit Production
• Research Methods for Horticulture
• Manage Your Own Business
• Crops Under Protection

Electives Semester 1:
Organic & Sustainable Horticulture or Landscape Design or Floristry & Interior Landscape

Note : Two electives must be selected

Electives Semester 2:
Advanced Landscape Design or Retail Horticulture or Apiculture or Food Product Development 1

Note : Two electives must be selected

Note : The choice of electives are indicative ad dependent upon learner demand and resource availability and may vary from year to year.

Expand+A qualification in horticulture offers the graduate a wide range of interesting and challenging career options; previous graduates have secured employment in landscape design, stadia groundskeeping, garden centres and nurseries, organic and conventio...

Hide-A qualification in horticulture offers the graduate a wide range of interesting and challenging career options; previous graduates have secured employment in landscape design, stadia groundskeeping, garden centres and nurseries, organic and conventional food production, golf course management, parks and gardens management and teaching horticulture. There are numerous employment opportunities in Ireland and worldwide for qualified horticulturists. Many graduates have successfully established their own businesses in these sectors also.

Transfer and Progression:
BN406 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Horticulture - Year 4.