Agricultural Science & Sustainability - Thurles
Agricultural Science and Sustainability is available through the CAO at Level 8 and Level 7 at TUS.
It aims to produce graduates with knowledge and skills in agriculture with a focus on sustainability. While the course provides the students with a sound theoretical basis for understanding complex agricultural and environmental phenomena within a sustainable development context, its focus is on the practical application of knowledge and skills including agri-business and on-farm settings.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Technological University of the Shannon |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Technological University of the Shannon | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
A minimum of 2 H5 & 4 O6/H7 grades in six Leaving Certificate subjects, including Mathematics and English or Irish.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Foundation Level Irish at Grade F2 will meet the minimum language requirement for all courses.
Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics
25 bonus points will be awarded to any CAO applicant who has gained a grade H6 or higher in Leaving Certificate Honours Mathematics.
Foundation Level Mathematics*
Foundation Level Mathematics at Grade F2 or higher is acceptable as meeting the Mathematics requirement for the following courses:
Courses at Athlone Campus:
US926/US780 Early Years Education & Care
US782 Applied Social Studies in Social Care
US921 Social Care Practice
US803 Graphic & Digital Design
US700 Graphic Design
US802/US778 Animation & Illustration
US809/US704 Music & Sound Engineering
US942/US793 Business Studies with Event Management
Courses at Limerick, Thurles and Ennis Campuses:
US808/US703 Music Production & Technology
US807/US702 Creative Broadcast & Film Production
US920/US922 Social Care Work (Limerick/Thurles)
US923/US781 Social Care Work (Ennis)
US640 Sports Development & Coaching
US954/US785 Sports Development & Performance
US953/US787 Business Studies with Sports Management
US941/US791 Business Studies with Event Management
US946/US792 Business Studies with Beauty & Spa Management
US927/US783 Early Childhood Education & Care
US931 Culinary Entrepreneurship
US795/US631 Culinary Arts
*Please note, this list is correct at the time of print.
Garda Vetting
To ensure the protection of the public and justify public trust and confidence, TUS uses the Garda Vetting Unit (GCVU) service to assess the suitability of applicants to courses:
Athlone based courses:
US877 General Nursing
US878 Mental Health Nursing
US921 Social Care Practice
US780/US926 Early Childhood Education and Care
US782 Applied Social Studies in Social Care
US950 Nutrition and Health Science
US951 Sport Science with Exercise Physiology
US956 Athletic and Rehabilitation Therapy
US957 Physical Activity and Health Science
US788 Exercise and Health Science
US933 Physical Education Studies
Limerick, Thurles, Clonmel, Ennis based courses:
US801 Art & Design Teacher Education
US934 Physical Education with Business
US961/US784 Applied Sports Science with Sport & Exercise Nutrition
US958/US786 Applied Sports Science with Strength & Conditioning
US959/US789 Applied Sports Science with Performance Technology
US953/US787 Business Studies with Sports Management
US954/US785 Sports Development & Performance
US640 Sports Development & Coaching
US941/US791 Business Studies with Event Management
US927/US783 Early Childhood Education & Care
US920/US922 Social Care Work
US923/US781 Social Care Work
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Points will be awarded for LCVP Link Modules as follows:
Pass: 28 points Merit: 46 points Distinction: 66 points
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
QQI FET Applicants General Information
TUS accepts QQI-FET/FETAC awards for entry on all courses of study. The following minimum entry requirements will apply to graduates of QQI-FET/FETAC qualifications who are seeking admission to courses at TUS, however applicants should also check for the specific QQI requirements on each course page on the TUS website.
The minimum entry standard for applicants to level 6 and level 7 courses is a full QQI FET Level 5 award totalling 120 credits. The minimum entry standard for applicants to level 8 courses is a full QQI FET Level 5 award totalling 120 credits including a Distinction grade in at least 3 modules.
A full FETAC award normally contains 8 modules. A full award may be accumulated over more than one academic year. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to contact QQI FET/FETAC for a full award where programmes are taken over more than one year. A QQI FET/FETAC Level 5 or Level 6 Record of Achievement does not meet the minimum entry standards. The maximum possible total score will be multiplied by 13 and divided by 12, to give a maximum overall points score of 390 for applicants from further education and training. Applicants to Restricted Application courses or courses where a Portfolio is required will have their Portfolio score added to their QQI-FET/FETAC score.
Careers / Further progression
What can I do after this course?
Graduates are qualified for a wide range of roles such as agricultural support services, farm auditors, environmental officers/scientists with agribusiness, the public sector and NGOs, or as researchers and consultants. Graduates of the course will achieve Trained Farmer Status (‘Green Cert’). Listing on the Department of Agriculture’s Farm Advisory System (FAS) of approved advisors requires a Level 8 degree in Agricultural Science and completion of a FAS training programme. The Level 8 course meets the content criteria of the Teaching Council to teach Agricultural Science at second level.
*To work as a Farm Advisor submitting plans and payment claims to the Dept. of Agriculture for farmer clients, you must be on the Department’s Farm Advisory System (FAS) of approved advisors. Requirements for listing include a Level 8 degree in Agricultural Science and undertaking FAS training.
Further information
MATURE APPLICATIONS All EU nationals aged 23 or over on 1st January in the year of application are classified as ‘mature applicants’. The closing date for receipt of applications for consideration in this category is 1st February in the year of entry. Late applications will be considered for courses which do not require additional assessment. On an exceptional basis e.g. the quota remains unfilled, late applications may be considered for other courses.
Trade Qualifications
A trade applicant, seeking admission to the first year of a course, should do so through the CAO. Such application may be on the basis of National Craft Certificate, Senior Trades or Advanced Tourism Certification Board (NTCB)/QQI qualifications, instead of, or in addition to, Leaving Certificate results. TUS welcomes applications from such candidates. Possession of these awards at advanced level normally qualifies an applicant for entry to TUS.
Other Qualifications
Applicants with qualifications other than those listed above (including EU and overseas qualifications) should apply in the usual way, giving full details of their qualifications/application category on their application.
Entry 2025
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2025 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2025 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2025 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2025 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2025 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2025 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2025. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2025, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2025 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2025 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2025 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
What is this course about?
This course is offered in conjunction with Gurteen College and fulfils the requirement for Trained Farmer Status (Green Cert). Students on this course will spend semester 2 in year 1 and semester 1 of year 2 on the Gurteen College campus, which is a 414-hectare farm and includes a wide range of commercial enterprises. The course is designed to give graduates the practical skills in the laboratory, fieldwork and farm skills to work in a broad range of sectors. There are also subjects on personal development which are valuable for success in the workplace. A full semester of work placement in Year 3 gives students an opportunity to gain valuable practical experience.
Advanced Entry into Year 2
This course is offered in conjunction with Gurteen College and fulfils the requirement for Trained Farmer Status (Green Cert). Students will spend semester 2 of year 1 and semester 1 of year 2 on the Gurteen College campus, which is a 414-hectare farm and includes a wide range of commercial enterprises. The course is designed to give graduates the practical skills in the laboratory, fieldwork and farm skills to work in a broad range of sectors. There are also subjects on personal development which are valuable for success in the workplace. A full semester of work placement in Year 3 gives students an opportunity to gain valuable work experience.
Advanced Entry into Year 2: Applicants presenting the full level 6 QQI/FET award in ‘Advanced Certificate in Agriculture’ that includes 3 distinctions will be considered for advanced entry. Please see website.
Why take this course?
This course will appeal to students with an interest in agriculture, farming and working outdoors as well as those interested in working in the agricultural sector. Agriculture is a vital sector in the Irish economy, and sustainability is an important issue in the sector. The requirement for environmental and sustainability managers in the agribusiness sector is a defined, significant, and growing employment sector. This course is designed to develop graduates with expertise in the management of agriculture’s interaction with the environment who will be ideally qualified to take advantage of these growing employment opportunities.
Modules at a glance: Students will study a range of topics in the following streams in TUS/Gurteen: Animal Production, Dairy Production, Tillage, Soil Management, Sustainability, Environmental Management in Agriculture, Biodiversity, Carbon Management, Water Quality, Mapping, Agribusiness, Professional Skills, Work Placement (semester long), Final Year Project.
Location: Thurles Campus, Co. Tipperary and Gurteen College, Co. Tipperary
This course is offered in conjunction with Gurteen College and fulfils the requirement for Trained Farmer Status (Green Cert).
Note: Accommodation is available at Gurteen College. This may be available at an additional cost.
Ms. Brigid Doyle,
Course Leader,
Tel: 0504 28253
Email: Brigid.Doyle@tus.ie