6.13.3 Third Level Education

​​​​​​6.13.3 Third Level Education

The 2016 Census shows that 25% of persons aged 15 years and over in the county whose full-time education has ceased had attained a third level qualification or higher.  This is slightly under that of the national average of 28.45%.  For the City this figure was 30%[1], which is above the national average.

Kildalton Agricultural and Horticultural College is located in Piltown in the south of the county. Kildalton is the largest agricultural college in the country, and is a leading provider of training in Equine Studies, Machinery, Agriculture and Horticulture.

A range of further education and training courses are also run in a number of Vocational Colleges throughout the county.

Additionally, the Design & Craft Council Ireland headquarters in the City and Grennan Mill Craft School in Thomastown run a number of third level courses in in jewellery and ceramics at these locations. 

Kilkenny 3^rd/4^th level Research and Innovation Centre officially opened in 2012 at St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny City, see Section 5.2.6       Third Level Educational Facilities.  Section 5.2.6 also outlines the Council’s support for the establishment of a multi-campus Technological University of the South East (TUSE).