Almost 2,300 students received the Level 6 Green Cert award in 2017 and since 2007, over 12,400 students have been awarded the Green Cert. These numbers show the importance and popularity of the course. The minimum requirement to obtain a Green Cert-recognised qualification is to complete a Level 5 certificate in agriculture and a Level 6 specific purpose certificate in farm administration.

This can be achieved through a full-time programme, a part-time programme or distance education programmes. Students also have the opportunity to complete a full-time specialised advanced certificate in agriculture in dairy herd management, drystock management, crops, and machinery and mechanisation.

For those who are not participating in the full-time programme, other options such as part-time and distance learning are used. The map below outlines locations around the country where students can undertake distance education and part-time programmes.

Both courses comprise two separate awards: the Level 5 Certificate in agriculture and the Level 6 specific purpose certificate in farming (Green Cert).

Part-time programme

The course is designed for applicants who are over the age of 23 when starting the programme and who have access to a farm, including financial details of the farm. Graduates of the course are also eligible to progress to a Level 6 advanced certificate in agriculture programme or transfer to linked courses at Institutes of Technology through the Higher Education Links Scheme. This course costs €1,430.

Distance education programme

This course has been developed to meet the training requirements for full-time or part-time farmers who hold a non-agricultural Level 6 or higher major award qualification. This course meets the training requirement for stamp duty exemption and for Department of Agriculture schemes.

The distance education course extends over a minimum of 15 to 18 months and costs €2,750.CL