Gurteen College

What Gurteen College does

Gurteen College is an Irish agricultural and equine education institution founded in 1947 by Methodist farmers and ministers, operating as a registered charity (Charity Number 20006488) from a 386-hectare (approximately 1,000-acre) commercial farm in Ballingarry, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. The college delivers QQI-accredited programmes from Level 4 Certificate through Level 8 Honours Degree across two product families: agricultural courses (covering dairy herd management, drystock, mechanisation, and crops) and equine courses (horsemanship/equitation and stud management). Its target cohorts include school leavers seeking the statutory "Green Cert", mature and part-time learners aged 23+, distance learners nationwide, and students progressing to higher education via the joint TUS (Technological University of the Shannon) degree pathway. Three annual open days (October, March, May) plus the Teagasc Quercus application portal serve as primary recruitment funnels.

The educational product is delivered through residential full-time on-campus instruction, distance/online learning (one Friday per month plus a fully online July session), and part-time evening classes (two weekday evenings plus a week-long summer intensive). Practical training is anchored to commercial-scale farm infrastructure: 240 dairy cows (Holstein Friesian, ~6,250L/cow, top 10% Irish EBI), 70 suckler cows, a 450-ewe sheep flock, 40 hectares of tillage, and 32 hectares of short-rotation coppice willow, supported by a 30-unit DeLaval milking parlour (expandable to 36 units), a 400-ewe sheep shed, a 200-animal slatted beef unit, and a 168-panel 50kW solar PV array. Equine instruction uses two outdoor arenas, one indoor arena, a cross-country course, stables, and 100 single-occupancy student bedrooms on campus.

Revenue derives from tuition across at least nine distinct course lines, residential accommodation charges (€2,800 per semester for degree students), and ancillary merchandise. 2025/26 residential tuition ranges from €5,700 (Level 6 Advanced Dairy) to €6,900 (Level 5 Agriculture), with 2026/27 fees already published upward by 4-8%. Distance-course fees are €3,950 and part-time courses are priced on enrolment. Distribution flows through the Teagasc Quercus online portal and the college's own website, with no parent entity or external owner and no funding rounds disclosed; the college operates autonomously under Teagasc governance with core partnerships to TUS for degrees, LOETB for Level 4 delivery at Birr, and the Teagasc Signpost Programme for sustainability positioning.

Name

Gurteen College

Legal name

Gurteen College

Website

https://gurteencollege.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gurteen College is a Tipperary-based agricultural and equine education institution founded in 1947. It delivers QQI-accredited Level 4-8 courses across agriculture, dairy, drystock, mechanisation, and equine on its 386-hectare commercial farm, partnering with Teagasc and TUS.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Operations, Supply Chain & Logistics Management Schools (EDAHAHAF)

Keywords

• Agricultural education
• Equine education
• Vocational training
• Green Cert courses
• Agricultural degrees

Headquarters

HQ city

Ballingarry, Roscrea

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Full-time Agricultural Courses: Residential and non-residential tuition fees for certificate and advanced certificate courses in agriculture. Fees vary by course level and residential status, paid in two installments.
2. Tuition Fees - Equine Courses: Fees for Level 5 and Level 6 equine/horsemanship certificate programs, available in residential and non-residential options.
3. Accommodation and Dining Services: On-campus accommodation and meal services for residential students, priced per semester for degree students or as part of full-time course fees.
4. Distance Education Tuition: Single payment or installment plan for distance/online Level 6 Specific Purpose Award in Farming course, covering approximately 15 months of study.
5. Part-Time Course Fees: Evening and weekend classes for part-time farming courses spanning approximately 18 months, with fees determined upon enrollment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Gurteen College is an agricultural and equine education institution providing QQI-accredited courses from Level 4 Certificate through Level 8 BSc Honours degree. The college delivers practical hands-on training on its 386-hectare commercial farm combined with classroom instruction, offering full-time residential programs, part-time evening courses, and distance/online learning options. Revenue is generated through tuition fees, on-campus accommodation, and dining services for students.

Product overview

Gurteen College is an agricultural and equine education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of QQI-accredited vocational and degree-level courses. The core product portfolio includes: Level 4, 5, and 6 vocational certificates in Agriculture (covering dairy, drystock, and mechanisation specialisations) that serve as entry points and 'Green Cert' qualifications; distance and part-time learning pathways for adult learners and those seeking career changes; and a joint Level 7/8 BSc degree programme in Agricultural Science and Sustainability delivered in partnership with TUS Thurles. For the equine sector, the college offers Level 5 and 6 certificates in Horsemanship/Equitation and Stud Management. The courses combine practical hands-on training at the college's 386-hectare farm with classroom instruction, and progression pathways allow students to advance from Level 4 through to Level 8 honours degree.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Level 4 Certificate in Agriculture A full-time one-year introductory certificate course providing foundation knowledge in modern, sustainable agriculture with emphasis on practical employment-oriented skills in sustainability, animal husbandry, and farm safety. Designed for students seeking entry-level agricultural qualifications.
• Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture A full-time one-year certificate course accredited by QQI, blending practical hands-on training with classroom sessions, covering animal husbandry, crop management, and machinery operations. Commonly known as the 'Green Cert' qualification required for Young Trained Farmer status.
• Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Dairy Herd Management A full-time one-year advanced certificate equipping students with knowledge and skills for a career in Dairy Farming, counting as the 'Green Cert' qualification. Covers dairy herd management on the college's 240-cow commercial dairy operation.
• Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Drystock Management A full-time one-year advanced certificate preparing students for careers in drystock farming (sheep and beef), qualifying them as Young Trained Farmers. Practical training on the college's commercial sheep and beef enterprises.
• Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture in Mechanisation A full-time one-year advanced certificate focused on farm machinery and contracting industries with specialised grassland management elements, counting as the 'Green Cert' qualification. Trains students for the agricultural mechanisation sector.
• Part-Time Level 6 Course Specific Purpose in Farming An 18-month part-time course with evening classes held on two weekday evenings per week (typically Mondays and Wednesdays, 7-10 pm), designed for individuals aged 23 and over. Integrates Level 5 and Level 6 awards leading to 'Green Cert' qualification. Includes a week-long intensive summer session at the college.
• Distance/Online Level 6 Specific Purpose Award in Farming A distance/online learning program integrating Level 5 Certificate and Level 6 Specific Purpose Award, offered with one Friday per month attendance and fully online July sessions, leading to 'Green Cert' qualification. Spans approximately 15 months of study.
• Level 7 Degree in Agricultural Science and Sustainability (BSc) A 3-year joint degree between Gurteen College and TUS (Thurles) producing graduates with knowledge and skills in agriculture focused on sustainability, culminating in Trained Farmer Status. Students spend time at both campuses throughout their studies.
• Level 8 Degree in Agricultural Science and Sustainability (BSc Hons) A 4-year honours degree with advanced coursework in atmospherics, carbon management, and soil management during year 4, awarded jointly by Gurteen College and TUS. The highest qualification offered in the college's agricultural program.
• Level 5 Certificate in Horsemanship/Equitation A full-time one-year certificate equipping learners with knowledge and skills for employment in the equine industry, covering riding, breaking, training horses, and preparation for sale. Utilizes the college's equine facilities including 2 outdoor arenas, 1 indoor arena, cross-country course, and stables.
• Level 5 Certificate in Stud Management A highly practical full-time one-year certificate providing hands-on training in horse breeding, young stock production, and management of an equine enterprise. New course announcement for September 2026 intake.
• Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Horsemanship/Equitation A full-time one-year advanced certificate covering coaching skills, equine business management, and preparation for Horse Sport Ireland and British Horse Society qualifications.
• On-Campus Accommodation and Dining Services On-campus accommodation and dining services for residential students, priced per semester for degree students or as part of full-time course fees. Residential rates are based on a 4-day week (Monday-Thursday), excluding Bank Holiday Weekends and Term holidays. Includes 100 single occupancy bedrooms with washbasins in the main building plus Gurteen House (single and twin rooms) and apartment-style dwellings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Green Cert qualification upon completion of Level 5 and Level 6 agricultural awards
• +5 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• TUS (Technological University of the Shannon)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGurteen College offers Level 7 BSc and Level 8 BSc Honours degree programs in Agricultural Science and Sustainability jointly with TUS Thurles campus. Students spend time at both campuses throughout their studies. The collaboration enables the college to offer third-level degree qualifications alongside its certificate programs. Advanced entry to Year 2 is available for those with Level 6 agricultural qualifications.
• LOETB (Laois & Offaly Education and Training Board)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClassroom sessions for the Level 4 Certificate in Agriculture are delivered at LOETB's Further Education and Training centre in Birr, approximately 15 minutes from Gurteen College campus. This partnership enables the college to offer introductory-level agricultural education with classroom instruction at a nearby FET centre.
• Teagasc Signpost ProgrammeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGurteen College is one of 52 farms selected to participate in the Teagasc Signpost Programme, a multi-annual campaign to lead climate action by Irish farmers. The programme showcases science-based technologies to reduce agricultural emissions, acts as hubs for advisory campaigns, and creates a national network for examining carbon sequestration in grassland and hedgerows. The college's Farm Manager writes monthly articles for the programme.
• TeagasccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGurteen College operates under Teagasc governance for agricultural education. Students apply through the Teagasc Quercus application portal. The college uses Teagasc's GDPR policy, child safeguarding policies, and participates in Teagasc's student maintenance grant scheme. Applications are processed through the Teagasc system alongside other Teagasc-affiliated agricultural colleges.
• Bord BiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBord Bia is referenced as an industry partner in the Teagasc Signpost Programme collaboration, which includes all relevant industry partners and state bodies working towards sustainable Irish agriculture.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pallaskenry Agricultural College (Salesian Agricultural College): Salesian-run agricultural college in Limerick offering Level 5 and Level 6 agricultural programmes with a strong practical farming focus. Comparable as a non-Teagasc-governed Irish agricultural college delivering similar Green Cert qualifications.
• Mountbellew Agricultural College: Teagasc-affiliated agricultural college in Galway offering Level 5 and Level 6 agricultural certificates in partnership with TUS (similar to Gurteen's TUS joint degree arrangement). Direct peer with overlapping QQI-accredited curriculum and university pathway.
• Clonakilty Agricultural College: Teagasc-affiliated agricultural college in West Cork offering Level 5 and Level 6 agricultural programmes with dairy and drystock specialisations. Direct peer delivering the same Teagasc-accredited Green Cert pathway with practical enterprise training.
• Kildalton Agricultural College: Another Teagasc-affiliated agricultural college in Ireland offering QQI-accredited Level 5 and Level 6 agricultural and horticulture programmes with practical on-farm training. Directly comparable as both a Teagasc-governed college delivering the same Green Cert pathway within Ireland.
• Ballyhaise Agricultural College: Teagasc-affiliated agricultural college in Cavan offering full-time Level 5 and Level 6 certificates in agriculture and forestry. Directly comparable as a peer Teagasc college delivering the Green Cert pathway under similar governance and curriculum structure.

Broad incumbents

• Harper Adams University: UK-based specialist agricultural university with extensive on-farm teaching and strong industry linkages. Comparable as a larger, established agricultural higher education institution; not a direct competitor but a benchmark for enterprise-led teaching and progression pathways.
• Royal Agricultural University: UK-based specialist agricultural university offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in agriculture, business, and land management. Comparable as a higher-tier agricultural education institution; not a direct competitor in Ireland but represents the benchmark for stacked agricultural qualifications.

Regional players

• CAFRE (College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise): Northern Ireland's agricultural college offering Level 2-6 and degree programmes in agriculture, food, and rural enterprise with extensive commercial farms. Comparable in mission and curriculum but operates in a separate jurisdiction (UK) and does not directly compete for Irish students.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GurteenCollege
• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=_e0rFabXnwQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/GurteenCollege
• Instagraminstagram.com/gurteencollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gurteen-college

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gurteen College