Expand+Minimum Entry Requirements
Six Grades at O6 or H7 in Leaving Certificate
Including At least two H5 Grades
And Mathematics Grade O6 or H7
And English Grade O6 or H7
Or Irish Grade O6 or H7
Plus Minimum Points Score of 300.

Bonus Points ...

Hide-Minimum Entry Requirements
Six Grades at O6 or H7 in Leaving Certificate
Including At least two H5 Grades
And Mathematics Grade O6 or H7
And English Grade O6 or H7
Or Irish Grade O6 or H7
Plus Minimum Points Score of 300.

Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics
A bonus of 25 points will be allocated to students who achieve a grade H6 or above in higher level mathematics in the Irish Leaving Certificate examination. This means that the maximum cumulative Leaving Certificate points total is 625. Bonus points will be awarded irrespective of the year in which the examinations were taken.

The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where the higher level mathematics subject (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for point’s purposes. Consequently, if higher level mathematics (cumulative points score) is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score.

Foundation Level Mathematics
Foundation level mathematics will be accepted as a passing subject for Level 6 and Level 7 programmes where Leaving Certificate Mathematics is not a specific subject requirement.

The minimum Level 6 and Level 7 entry requirement in Mathematics is as follows:

a F2 at Foundation Level
Or
a O6 at Ordinary Level
Or
a H7 at Higher Level

Where a grade of F2 or higher is achieved and Foundation Level Mathematics is acceptable for entry to a specific programme, the following points scoring system will be used:

Grade Points
F1 20
F2 12

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

Foundation Level Mathematics does not meet the entry requirements for Level 8 programmes.

Expand+Applications from Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Students

Holders of the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) apply in the normal way through the CAO system. Points are awarded on the same basis as per the leaving certificate...

Hide-Applications from Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Students

Holders of the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (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:

Grade Points
Pass 28
Merit 46
Distinction 66

Expand+QQI-FET level 5 and 6 awards are now made by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) – For further details please visit: www.qqi.ie.

Applicants must have obtained a full QQI-FET Level 5/6 major award with a minimum credit value of 120. A Compone...

Hide-QQI-FET level 5 and 6 awards are now made by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) – For further details please visit: www.qqi.ie.

Applicants must have obtained a full QQI-FET Level 5/6 major award with a minimum credit value of 120. A Component Award will not suffice.

A full QQI-FET major award normally contains 8 components.

A full award may be accumulated over a number of years. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to apply to QQI-FET for a major award prior to release of QQI-FET results.

The minimum entry requirement for graduates of QQI-FET (Level 5 and 6) awards to:

• Higher Certificate (NQAI Level 6) programmes is a full QQI-FET (Level 5 or 6) award;

• Ab-initio Ordinary Degree (NQAI Level 7) programmes (with the exception of Veterinary Nursing) is a full QQI-FET (Level 5 or 6) award, plus one Distinction or two Merits;

• Ab-initio Honours Degree (NQAI Level 8) programmes (with the exception of nursing & midwifery programmes) is a full QQI-FET (Level 5 or 6) award including a Distinction grade in at least three modules.

In these three cases, a general specific requirement for Mathematics or a language will not apply. Notwithstanding the minimum entry requirements listed above, relevant cognate courses and / or specific pre-requisite QQI-FET modules may be required for some programmes. Details are available from the Admissions Office or the ‘QQIFET Information’ section of the CAO website www.cao.ie.

In some programmes, a specific module such as a Mathematics or language module is a mandatory component of the QQI-FET award being presented. This requirement may be waived if the applicant has evidence of equivalent achievement from other examinations (such as previous Leaving Certificate award). It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide such evidence directly to the Admissions Office.

QQI-FET has introduced a new awards system known as the Common Awards System, or CAS. All QQI-FET awards are part of CAS since 2014.

Expand+Early online application (discounted): Fee €25 Closing Date: 20th January 2017 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €40 Closing Date: 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €50 Closing Date: 1st May 2...

Hide-Early online application (discounted): Fee €25 Closing Date: 20th January 2017 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €40 Closing Date: 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €50 Closing Date: 1st May 2017 at 5:15 pm

Change of Mind: Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1st July 2017 5:15 pm

Exceptional online late application - see page 14 of the 2017 CAO Handbook: Fee €50 Closing Date: 22nd July 2017 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 2017 and will be accepted up to 5:15pm on 1st May 2017, subject to the restricitions listed on page 3 of the 2017 CAO Handbook.

Late Applications (Exception to 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 and the University of Limerick 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 three HEIs, you should apply through CAO.

Refer to page 15 of the 2017 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 2017 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 2017 at 5:15pm and must have completed the HEAR/DARE application form by 1st March 2017 at 5:15pm – supporting documents must be sent to CAO offices before 1st April 2017 at 5:15pm.

Expand+About this Programme
The aim of this programme is to produce graduates with knowledge, skills and competencies to respond effectively to current and future developments in Agriculture and the Agri-Food Industry.

The programme will provide gradu...

Hide-About this Programme
The aim of this programme is to produce graduates with knowledge, skills and competencies to respond effectively to current and future developments in Agriculture and the Agri-Food Industry.

The programme will provide graduates with a strong foundation in science, business and agriculture and will specifically develop skills and knowledge in the areas of animal and crop production, animal husbandry and biosecurity, health and safety, agricultural mechanisation, financial and business management, entrepreneurship and innovation, environmental protection and the production and processing of safe, quality-assured food.

Graduates will have knowledge and appreciation of national and international policy and legislation and will have excellent communication skills, research competence and the ability to respond to the challenges of larger scale, market-led production, alternative rural enterprise and environmental sustainability.

Expand+Year 1:
Semester 1:
Mandatory:
* Biological and Chemical Sciences (year-long)
* Animal and Crop Production Science (year-long)
* Mathematics and Computing
* Farm Business Management 1
* Agricultural Mechanisation

Semester 2:
Mandatory:
*...

Hide-Year 1:
Semester 1:
Mandatory:
* Biological and Chemical Sciences (year-long)
* Animal and Crop Production Science (year-long)
* Mathematics and Computing
* Farm Business Management 1
* Agricultural Mechanisation

Semester 2:
Mandatory:
* Biological and Chemical Sciences (yearlong)
* Animal and Crop Production Science (year-long)
* Academic and Research Skills
* Farm Facilities and Machinery
* Farm Business Management 2

Year 2:
Semester 1:
Mandatory:
* Farm Business Management 3
* Biochemistry and Animal Nutrition
* Quality Assurance
* Dairy, Sheep, Pigs and Poultry Production
* Cattle Production

Semester 2:
Mandatory:
* Farm Business Management 4
* Crop Production (including Forestry and Mushrooms)
* Regulatory and Legal Issues
* Health and Safety
* Work Placement (8 -12 Weeks)

Year 3:
Semester 1:
Mandatory:
* Financial Management Systems
* Marketing for the Agri-Business Sector
* Quality Management in the Food Industry
* Soil Science and Land Management
* Food Processing, Analysis and Production Management
* Research Methods

Semester 2:
Mandatory:
* Quality Management on the Farm
* Agricultural Entrepreneurship
* Business Management Systems
* Agricultural Production and Management Systems
* Agriculture in the Environment
* Internship (3 months) *

(* work placements available in New Zealand, US, or Europe)

Year 4:
Semester 1:
Mandatory:
* Agricultural Policy and Professional Practice
* Value-added Agri-Food Products
* Herd Health and Biosecurity
* Pollution Control in the Agri-Food Sector
* Agri-Science Project (year-long)

Semester 2:
Mandatory:
* Agri-Food Business Excellence
* Sustainable Rural Development
* Large-Scale Farm Management
* Agri-Science Project (year-long)

Electives
* Agricultural Biotechnology
* Agri-Food Biotechnology