This qualification has been designed to provide learners with the breadth of horticultural knowledge required to carry out tasks in a variety of contexts. It supports progression to employment within areas of the horticultural industries, such as professional gardening, landscaping, plant production and garden retail, as well as supporting learning in entry level roles in the early stages of a horticultural career.
You will have the opportunity to develop as an amateur gardener and gain personal development in transferable skills such as problem solving, implementing management plans and communication.
Instruction is carried out by highly qualified tutors in the extensive ornamental grounds, plant nursery, woodlands and sports turf areas at the College. Merrist Wood has developed a considerable reputation for horticulture and for it’s award-winning gardens designed and built at RHS Flower Shows. With a diverse range of plants in the College’s 400 acre estate, this site has purpose-designed buildings, with lecture rooms, laboratories, library facilities and computer suites.
Please note: This course is supported by the Education and Skills Funding Agency.
Eligible learners working towards the certificate may receive funding for some or all of their fees. If funding is received it will be a compulsory requirement for those learners to sit the exams.
Learners who are not eligible for funding and will pay full cost fees are still welcome to join the course and will be given the option of sitting the exams for the certificate.
What you'll learn
On this course, you will learn through units, including:
- Plant Identification
- Plant establishment
- Plant Propagation
- Plant Health
- Plant Care
- Plant Pruning
- Garden features and Grassland Areas
https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/qualifications-and-training/rhs-qualifications/level-two
How you'll learn and be assessed
This course will be taught using workshop and outside practical activities on site with some lessons in the classroom.
Assessments
A range of methods will be used to assess this qualification. They include formative assessment of skills by tutors at RHS Centres, and a range of summative short answer tests as well as direct observation by RHS Assessors.
Assessment windows are between Jan-March and May-July with the online assessment in June.
Progression
You could move onto other related horticulture courses for example, RHS Level 2 Principles of Horticulture or RHS Level 3 Practical Horticulture.
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements but an interest in horticulture is essential and it is recommended that applicants have studied the RHS Level 2 Principles of Horticulture units.
Additional information
The course encompasses practical application which will be undertaken in a range of weather, you need to ensure you have appropriate PPE and clothing for the activities required. This will an extra cost to you, the student.
The course will run from 9:30 to 15:00.
Delivery Day: Tuesday 23-24. Disclaimer – please note the delivery day of a program can change each academic year, therefore we will not be able to confirm the delivery date for the following academic year until the summer term.
