Find Horticulture, Floristry, Landscaping and many other courses on our dedicated Activate Adult Education website.
Horticulture and Landscaping
Plant the seeds of success with this green fingered pathway! New T Levels available!
We are proud of our wide varied and specialist facilities which include horticulture nurseries that house a diverse range of plant and tree species and our science labs as well as a wide array of machinery such as dumpers, excavators and rotary cultivators and green spaces where our students get ‘hands-on’ learning their practical skills.
Practical work is carried out on the college’s 230-hectare estate and in our dedicated landscaping workshops, where you will learn skills such as building with hard materials and working with plants and turf. You will also benefit from specialist instruction in the use of stone, brick, concrete and timber, and machinery.
We have over 40 years of experience in teaching horticulture and landscaping, delivered by tutors with expert knowledge and strong industry links including the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) and the Royal Horticultural Society.
Work experience opportunities are excellent, leading to employment or specialist Degree Level programmes. Recently our students have worked on gardens designed by award-winning international designers at RHS Flower Shows.
Our new Agriculture, Land Management and Production T Level will cover a broad range of topics and prepare you for a diverse range of career paths. You’ll specialise in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscaping or Tree and Woodland Management and Maintenance.
Success at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair 2026 - Students achieved both the Gold Award and the coveted Best in Show title in the 2026 College Gardens competition. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Merrist Wood College students have impressed at the event, reinforcing the College’s reputation as a leader in horticultural education and innovative garden design.
We have developed a considerable reputation among industry specialists, and you’ll be learning from qualified tutors who have many years of experience and bring a unique insight into these exciting and diverse industries.
With a long-standing heritage and an expanding retail sector, horticulture is one of the largest employers in the UK.
Demand is also growing for beautifully landscaped outdoor areas for business and leisure, creating more jobs for dedicated and talented landscapers and sports turf professionals. Careers in these sectors are wide and varied – you could be working as a gardener, greenkeeper, a grounds person, a golf course manager, a garden centre manager or a landscape gardener.
Industry partnerships
Judith, RHSRead my storyJudith’s journey highlights the power of reconnecting with education at any stage of life, and we’re proud to have her as part of the Merrist Wood community.
Joe, LandscapingRead my storyI chose college because I’m more of a practical person. The teachers are all so supportive, they do a lot for us students and the study coaches will sit with anyone who might struggle with the coursework side of things.
