Agricultural Science Studying Independently
Agricultural Science – Made Flexible for You
Our Out Of School course is perfect for 5th & 6th Year students who want to study Agricultural Science independently for the Leaving Cert.
Over 29 weeks, our expert teachers will guide you through the course, helping you build solid subject knowledge and develop the exam skills you need to do your best.
Classes are two hours and are delivered fully online – so you can learn from the comfort of home, stay on track, and get all the support you need.
Students studying Agricultural Science independently will receive:
- Exceptional tuition from Ireland’s leading teachers
- 2 hours of class per week
- Weekly support with homework and projects
- Live class recordings to rewatch at any time throughout the school year until the end of the State Exams in 2026
- The Institute’s renowned exam-focused class notes
- Exam strategies – answer techniques, marking schemes and time management
The teacher for this Agricultural Science Studying Independently course is Aisling Doyle.
Topics Covered Include:
Soil:
- Soil Formation
- Physical characteristics of soil
- Chemical characteristics of soil
- Biological characteristics of soil
- Soil fertility and management
Crops:
- Crop production and management
- Plant classification
- Plant physiology
- Catch crop – Kale
- Food crop for human consumption – Potatoes
Animals:
- Animal physiology
- Animal nutrition
- Dairy – breeds, production and management
- Milk composition and milk production
- Markets for Irish produce, feature of grass-fed animals, traceability
- Beef – breeds, production and management
- Sheep – breeds, production and management
- Pigs – breeds, production and management
- Animal health and welfare
- Farmyard layout
Genetics:
- Applied animal genetics
- Applied plant genetics
Grassland:
- Characteristics and growth
- Management
- Conservation; silage and hay
- Sowing and reseeding
Scientific Practices:
- Scientific method
- Types of data
- Variables
- Hypothesis
- Precision & accuracy
- Evaluating scientific information
Specified Practical Activities (experiments):
- 22 experiments throughout the course
Other areas:
- Technology
- Farm machinery
- Health & Safety
- Sustainability
- Impact of agriculture on the environment
Coursework Information
The project in Agricultural Science is worth 25%.
It involves completing the Individual Investigative Study (IIS) and preparing a portfolio of all mandatory experiments completed. It is based on a brief (title & theme) that the State Examinations Commission release every year. Students are expected to engage in research around this years theme and develop their own research question on which they will base their project on. To answer their research question, students will have to carry out one or more physical experiments and collect data. Based on the data collected and the research completed, students will complete a 2,500 word report on their findings. Students must be able to work independently on their projects and if possible to carry out some of the experimental work at home or on a farm. Engaging with teachers / school staff, taking photos of the experiment, documenting results and oversight by teachers / school staff authenticates the project as the students own work.
For the Academic Year 2025/26 this Agricultural Science Course will take place every Wednesday at 17:30 as per the Weekly Schedule below.
NOTE: All classes are 120 minutes in duration.
*Students may join at any stage throughout the year, subject to availability.
| Week | Week Commencing | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st Sept 2025 | First Week |
| 2 | 8th Sept 2025 | |
| 3 | 15th Sept 2025 | |
| 4 | 22nd Sept 2025 | |
| 5 | 29th Sept 2025 | |
| 6 | 6th Oct 2025 | |
| 7 | 13th Oct 2025 | |
| 8 | 20th Oct 2025 | |
| No Classes | 27th Oct 2025 | Mid-Term |
| 9 | 3rd Nov 2025 | |
| 10 | 10th Nov 2025 | |
| 11 | 17th Nov 2025 | |
| 12 | 24th Nov 2025 | |
| 13 | 1st Dec 2025 | |
| 14 | 8th Dec 2025 | |
| 15 | 15th Dec 2025 | |
| No Classes | 22nd Dec 2025 | Christmas |
| No Classes | 29th Dec 2025 | Christmas |
| 16 | 5th Jan 2026 | |
| 17 | 12th Jan 2026 | |
| 18 | 19th Jan 2026 | |
| 19 | 26th Jan 2026 | |
| 20 | 2nd Feb 2026 | *St. Brigid's Bank Holiday, Classes as normal this week, including Bank Holiday Monday 2nd February 2026. |
| 21 | 9th Feb 2026 | |
| No Classes | 16th Feb 2026 | February Mid Term |
| 22 | 23rd Feb 2026 | |
| 23 | 2nd March 2026 | |
| 24 | 9th March 2026 | |
| No Classes | 16th March 2026 | St Patrick's Week |
| 25 | 23rd March 2026 | |
| No Classes | 30th March 2026 | Easter Break |
| No Classes | 6th April 2026 | Easter Break |
| 26 | 13th April 2026 | |
| 27 | 20th April 2026 | |
| 28 | 27th April 2026 | |
| 29 | 4th May 2026 | **May Bank Holiday. No classes Mon 4th May - these will be taught on Monday 11th May instead. Classes as normal Tuesday 6th to Saturday 9th May. |
The fee for enrolling in this course is: €1,955.
If you would like to enrol on two Out Of School Subjects, the fee is €3,455.
All students joining our weekly classes now will receive access to recordings of all the classes for which they have enrolled. In addition, they will have access to recordings of the classes that have already taken place since the start of the course. This is an invaluable aid when it comes to revision. Class recordings are available to the end of State Exams 2065.
Please note:
- Card payments accepted.
- 10% reduction for the second and subsequent members of the same family, attending the same courses. Please contact our office to avail of this discount.
- Fees are non-transferable.
- An Installment payment option for fees is available. Please call our office on 01 661 3511 or email help@instituteofeduction.ie to avail of this payment plan.
For your convenience, our Out of School Subjects are mainly delivered online through Microsoft Teams – there’s no need to travel, and you can learn from the comfort of your own home.
Course notes are posted to you in advance so you can log in and take part in the live and fully interactive classes.
Please note:
Login details for online classes will be issued to students by email before the start of the course.
Our Frequently Asked Questions are below, but if you have any other questions, please contact info@instituteofeducation.ie.
Agricultural Science Studying Independently
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on each question for the answer>>
Q: How do I access my online classes?
A: Students enrolled on the course will receive an email from us containing their unique login details and links to access their chosen subjects. Login credentials will be sent in advance of course start date. Only those details sent to you will enable you to successfully access classes online.
Q: How are the online hosted?
A: All online classes are hosted live on Microsoft Teams. The links to the weekly classes are accessed via Moodle. Students must sign into both Moodle and MS Teams with the @instituteofeducation.ie login credentials sent to the student.
Q: Are the online classes pre-recorded?
A: No, each online class is streamed live. Recordings of classes will be available after each live class is completed. These can then be replayed as a revision aid.
Q: Will I have access to recordings of the live classes?
A: Yes, recordings of classes will be available after each live class is completed. These can then be replayed as a revision aid. These will be available up until the end of the State exams 2026.
Q: Are there any specific requirements to attending online classes?
A: We would advise that all students enrolling in our online grinds have the following:
• Access to a reliable wifi service.
• Access to a PC, Laptop, Tablet, or similar device.
• We would not recommend using a mobile phone.
• Headphones/earphones.
Q: If I'm attending the online classes will I have access to the notes?
A: Yes, students enrolled in online classes will receive a monthly delivery of notes for each chosen subject. Please allow five working days for delivery from the time of booking.
Q: Are the class notes available online?
A: No, a hard copy will be posted out to each student for the subjects they enrol in, on a monthly basis.
Q: How long is each weekly class?
A: Each class lasts 2 hours.
Q: How much is the fee per class?
Q: Can I cancel my classes and get a refund?
A: Yes, though please note: Classes are taught for 29 weeks. A refund (or partial refund) can be given for requests made on or before Week 17, 19th January 2026. A request for a refund can be made by contacting our office on 01 6613511 or help@instituteofeducation.ie
Q: How many weeks of tuition are there in the weekly course?
A: There are 29 weeks of tuition between September and May. Students will have one class per subject booked per week (29 classes).
Q: Are there any breaks or holidays during the year for students attending weekly classes?
A: Yes, the classes schedule generally follows the normal school calendar with breaks at mid-terms, Christmas & Easter. Please refer to the timetable for more details
Q: Is attendance at weekly classes and part-time courses monitored?
A: Yes, attendance is monitored for each class attended. The Institute however accepts no responsibility for students who fail to attend class.
Q: What style are the classes conducted in? Can students ask questions?
A: Our classes run in a more lecture style than most students might be used to in school, but they are also interactive, and teachers will use a variety of methods to ensure that students can learn and understand and feel comfortable asking questions and contributing to the class.
Q: For weekly classes, does the beginning of a new term mean the start of a new course?
A: No, in the weekly classes each subject commences in September and runs through to the end of the academic year in May. Students can catch up on what they have missed by reviewing the previous class recordings and notes.
Q: If I want to join weekly classes during the year, can I find out what is yet to be covered on the course and what I have missed?
A: Each teacher has their own individual teaching plan for the year and will be able to advise on this.
Q: My son/daughter cannot attend the weekly classes. Can we buy the notes?
A: No, teaching is a central part of all our courses and classes. The notes are to facilitate recall and revision of what was covered in class by the teacher.
Testimonials
It was like being in the classroom even though I was at home. The course was very useful and the notes are incredible!
– Brian, 6th Year Student
I liked how interactive it was and how comprehensively all the material was covered. I thought the teacher was excellent.
– Ava, 5th Year Student
My daughter attended classes at the Institute. She found the lessons to be excellent; well-structured and focused. The teachers were top-class and provided excellent advice and encouragement. The lecture notes are superb!
– Grainne (Parent)