Secondary Education 
 
 The secondary educational system comprises state owned and privately owned but mainly publicly funded schools which prepare students for state examinations. Secondary schools can be grouped into three broad categories - traditional schools and colleges which offer academic subjects mainly, vocational schools where the syllabus has a strong vocational orientation, and community schools and colleges which offer a broad range of academic and vocational subjects. Students may leave school at the age of 15 with a state Department of Education Group Certificate (Vocational) or Junior Certificate (academic) qualification, but the majority go on to take the Leaving Certificate examination at about 18 years of age. Students generally take this examination in seven or eight subjects at ordinary or higher level. Entry to third level courses is determined on the basis of Leaving Certificate results in six approved subjects. In addition to general requirements for third level entry, there may be special subject and/or performance requirements for particular faculties and courses. 

 Sub-degree (certificate and diploma) courses are offered by Regional Technical Colleges (RTCs) throughout the country and by the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT). These courses are approved by the National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA) which is the award-granting body. 

 Degree level courses in Agriculture, Food Science and related areas are mainly located in the Universities of which there are four in the state. The largest is the National University of Ireland with constituent colleges in Dublin, Cork and Galway; the others are Dublin University (Trinity College), Dublin City University, and the University of Limerick. University College Dublin has the only Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine in the country, while University College Cork has a Faculty of Food Science and Technology.  Some degree level courses in the Food, Fisheries and Environmental areas are also available in DIT and the RTCs.