Agricultural Mechanisation - Pallaskenry Agricultural College & TUS Limerick
What is this course about?
This course provides students with education and training to work within the area of Agricultural Technology. The focus of this course is firmly on the provision of skilled technicians for the farm machinery industry in Ireland. Course content includes tractor engineering and workshop process, machinery operation, electrical and electronic technology, administration and management, engineering science and mathematics, engineering drawing and CAD and computer studies, project and industrial placement together with a high degree of personal and practical skills.
Successful graduates with also receive the Green Certificate in Agriculture from Teagasc.
| Award Name | Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Technological University of the Shannon |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | Technological University of the Shannon | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
2 years.
Class Contact Hours: 9 hours of class, 18 hours of practical per week.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
A minimum of 5 O6/H7 grades in Leaving Certificate subjects, including Mathematics and English or Irish.
Applicants are advised that those with a grade less than O4 in Ordinary level Mathematics may have difficulty coping with the mathematics content of this programme.
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 can progress into Year 3 of the Level 7 Bachelor of Engineering in Agricultural Engineering degree or to the Level 7 Bachelor of Engineering in Road Transport Technology and Management degree at TUS. Job opportunities include Machinery Dealerships, Machinery Importers, Machinery Manufacturers, Agricultural Contractors, Heavy Plant Operators, Trades.
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
Students will be taught a mix of technology, practical, academic, administrative and managerial modules which will prepare them to carry out complex diagnostics and repairs of modern machinery and to be receptive to future technological developments to take advantage of vacancies that will arise within the industry.
The course has a high practical content with the inclusion of a 30-week work placement in approved training locations such as main garages, contractors and fabricators. Students will also have the opportunity to complete the work placement in the United States with large scale combine or forage crews. The placement will give students the job skills necessary for today’s employment market. Successful graduates with also receive the Green Certificate in Agriculture from Teagasc.
This course is run in conjunction with the Salesian Agricultural College, Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick. In Year 1, 4 days are delivered in Pallaskenry with 1 day attendance at TUS Moylish campus in Limerick. In Year 2, 3 days are delivered in Pallaskenry and 2 days in TUS.
Note: Salesian Agricultural College, Pallaskenry, Co Limerick (SACP) charge a separate additional fee to students on course US651 to cover the cost of Food, Materials (and if availed of Accommodation) at Pallaskenry. For details please contact SACP at 061 393100 or see: www.pallaskenry.com
Why study this course?
The course is suited to those with an interest in understanding and learning about agricultural machinery. It has a good balance of theory and practical work and is suited to those people who prefer ‘hands-on’ work and who want to be able to maintain and operate farm machinery.
Modules at a glance:
Tractor Engineering & Workshop Processes, Electrical & Electronic Technology, Machinery Operations, Agricultural Engineering Science & Maths, Computer Applications including CAD, Project. Industrial Placement, Intermediate Tractor Engineering, Business Management, Workshop Administration, Computing Agricultural Engineering.
Other Information
• Work Placement
• This award meets the training requirements for stamp duty exemption and DAFM schemes
• Location: Moylish Campus, Limerick & Salesian Agricultural College, Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick.
Mr. Colm Egan
Course Leader
Tel: 061 393100
Email: colm.egan@pallaskenry.com
FTMTA companies: www.ftmta.ie