This course is ideal for the practical student who wishes to gain a recognised qualification in preparation for employment in horticulture, landscaping and related industries.
Practical and theory instruction is carried out by highly qualified tutors in the extensive ornamental grounds, plant nursery and landscape workshop areas at the College using hand tools and modern machinery and equipment. The diverse range of plants in the College’s 280-hectare estate, together with purpose-designed buildings including lecture rooms, laboratories, library facilities and computer suites, all provide an ideal environment for horticulture students.
Students are given the opportunity to participate in a range of other events including plant sales, autumn and Christmas-themed open days and demonstrations and talks from external partners.
All 16-19 year-olds will be required to attend classes and retake GCSE English and maths if they have not already gained a GCSE grade 4 or equivalent in these subjects.
What you'll learn
Course subjects include:
Unit 1 Working in land-based industries: Safe & sustainable work practices including waste management, and land use in the UK.
Unit 2 Plant and soil science: Laboratory experiments and research to explore the characteristics of soils and functions of plants.
Unit 3 Horticulture work placement: Job roles and job application processes, reflecting on skills and knowledge gained through work experience to plan progression.
Unit 4 Land-based machinery operations: Practical machinery skills for a range of hand-held and pedestrian-operated horticultural machinery, both petrol and electric.
Unit 5 Propagation techniques: Practical propagation techniques including cuttings, division and from seed, and the skills for aftercare and potting on the plants you have propagated.
Unit 9 Establish and maintain soft landscapes: Ground clearance and soil cultivation, a range of planting skills and methods for maintaining existing soft landscape areas such as pruning, feeding and irrigation.
Unit 10 Construct and maintain hard landscapes: Preparing for and setting out landscape sites, constructing paved areas and vertical features such as walls and fences.
Unit 11 Estate maintenance in Horticulture: How to assess and plan maintenance tasks and carry out practical maintenance such as basic repairs to surfaces, boundaries and habitats.
Work Experience will take place in the College grounds and nursery areas. You will work alongside the grounds team to demonstrate and develop your practical skills.
English and/or maths will be studied, as required.
How you'll learn and be assessed
There will be a mix of theory and practical lessons in classrooms, workshops, computer suites and outdoors on the College grounds. Part of each week is spent gaining work experience on the College grounds. You are expected to work independently outside of the College timetable writing up records of the practical and scientific skills.
The horticulture qualification is assessed through the submission of two or three written assignments for each of the units and a work experience diary. All assignment work is submitted online, supporting and developing your use of IT. English and maths for those who have not yet achieved a grade 4 or equivalent is delivered using a mix of face-to-face teaching and online practice, along with development programmes prior to exams in November or May/June.
Progression
You could progress on to Horticulture or Landscape Level 3 Diplomas or an Apprenticeship..
Entry requirements
You need to have 3 GCSEs at grade 2 or above including English, maths and science, or a Level 1 qualification at a merit or above.
Additional information
Students studying horticulture spend time outdoors each week in both practical sessions and their work experience and so will need to attend College with suitable outdoor clothing, work gloves and safety boots. Secateurs, tape measures and other tools will be provided by the College during practical tasks, though it can be useful for a student to consider bringing their own.
