This course is designed for the practical student who wishes to gain a recognised qualification in preparation for employment in the landscaping or horticultural industries.
All 16-19 year olds on full-time programmes will be required to retake GCSE English and Maths or to undertake Functional Skills, if they have not already attained the equivalent of a GCSE grade C in these subjects, every year of their course, until they complete their studies.
This course is designed for the practical student who wishes to gain a recognised qualification in preparation for employment in the Landscape or Horticultural industries.
Practical instruction is carried out by highly qualified tutors in the extensive ornamental grounds, plant nursery and woodlands areas at the College, using both hand tools and modern machinery and equipment. Merrist Wood has developed a considerable reputation for horticulture and for it’s award-winning gardens designed and built at RHS Flower Shows. 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.
What you'll learn
Course content includes:
- Establish and maintain plants outdoors
- Plant and soil science
- Machinery operations
- Maintain amenity turf
- Construct garden walls and fences
- Construct landscape foundations and surfaces
- Work experience at the College
In addition there will be the opportunity to complete Functional Skills in English.
How you'll learn and be assessed
A mix of theory and practical lessons in classrooms, workshops and on the College grounds
Homework: You will be expected to complete work experience on the College estate one day per week. In addition you will be set written assignments, you need to keep a diary of your work experience and write up a log book of your practical work at College and learn regular plant identification lists.
Progression
You could progress on to Horticulture, Landscape or Sports turf Level 3 Diplomas or an Apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You need to have 3 GCSE’s at grade 2 or above including English, Maths and Science, or a L1 qualification at a merit or above. (if the learner has dropped to a grade 1 in Maths only, please put through to faculty approval so we can assess overall grade profile)
