This course is also available on Tuesdays: OC02LP0C035P
This qualification has been designed to provide learners with the breadth of horticultural knowledge and skills required to carry out routine tasks proficiently 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.
It is also designed to meet the needs of the amateur gardener. It provides learners with the opportunity for personal development, including changing careers and engaging in their learning, and offers an opportunity to develop transferable skills such as problem-solving, implementing management plans/programmes, and communication as part of their applied learning.
Instruction is carried out by highly qualified tutors in the extensive ornamental grounds, and plant nursery at the College. The diverse range of plants in the College’s 400-acre estate, together with purpose-designed buildings, including lecture rooms, laboratories, library facilities and computer suites, all provide an ideal environment for horticulture students. Merrist Wood has developed a considerable reputation for horticulture.
This is a part-time course. There will be 30 weeks of classes at college, excluding the two additional practical PCA exams held at college (dates which are not confirmed by RHSQ until after the course has started). There is also an online OCA exam, which takes place after the course at college has finished in June.
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/assessments. Learners who are not eligible for funding and will pay full fees are still welcome to join the course and will be given the option of sitting the exams/assessments for the certificate.
What you'll learn
Topics covered include:
- Plant Identification
- Plant Establishment
- Plant Propagation
- Plant Health
- Plant Care
- Plant Pruning
- Garden Features
- Grassed Areas
Please follow this link to the RHS website for the full RHS Qualification Specification.
In addition, there are 4 qualification-wide outcomes:
- Health and safety
- Sustainability
- Best Practice
- Equality and Diversity
Home study
- In addition to the timetabled hours at college, it is recommended that you spend a minimum of 2 hours each week, practising the practical skills that you have been taught, studying for plant identification tests and learning additional information in preparation for the examinations.
- Once enrolled, you will have access to ALO (Activate Learning Online) where you will find additional learning material.
Full attendance is required to allow you time to practise each practical skill, the two Practical competence assessments PCA1 and PCA2 and the OCA (the online written assessment).
How you'll learn and be assessed
You will be taught using workshops and outside practical activities on-site with some lessons in the classroom, and a range of methods will be used to assess this qualification.
There are two Practical Competence Assessments (PCA1 and PCA2). This will require attendance at college for an additional half day for each PCA exam and these might not be on the day of the week that you usually attend your course at college.
- Assessment windows are between Jan–March and May–July
- The date for the PCA1 exam is confirmed by RHSQ after the course has started
- The date for PCA2 is confirmed later in the course
- Each PCA exam includes a plant identification test and three additional practical tasks chosen and observed by external RHS assessors
The Online Competence Assessment (OCA) takes place on a date set by RHSQ but is usually in late June. This 75-minute OCA exam is sat remotely, usually from your own computer at home. It consists of 80 forced answer/multiple choice questions, which include10 plant identification questions.
To complete this qualification:
- Success in each component of each exam is required
- Weighting of PCA and OCA exams: PCA1 = 40% PCA2 = 40% OCA = 20%
- Pass, merit or distinction level is required
Results are announced by RHSQ in September
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.
For admission to the RHS Certificate Practical Horticulture course at Merrist Wood College, applicants must meet the following entry requirements:
Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 19 years of age.
Educational Qualifications: While there are no formal academic requirements, level 2 literacy and numeracy skills will be required for successful completion of the course and exam requirements.
Botanic names are required for plant identification assessments —common names cannot be used. Although a list of plant names is supplied for use in assessments, it will be necessary to spend time outside classes each week learning plant names and related plant information to prepare for assessments.
Physical Fitness: Prospective students must be physically fit to proficiently complete tasks within allocated timeframes. The course involves practical work, including lifting, digging, and prolonged outdoor activity. Please note that extra time as an exam consideration cannot be granted.
Interest in Horticulture: A genuine passion for plants, gardening, and the natural environment is essential. Applicants should demonstrate enthusiasm and a willingness to learn and engage in horticultural activities.
Additional information
For prospective students considering enrolment in the RHS Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture at Merrist Wood College, here are additional details relevant:
Schedule: The Level 2 Certificate course is designed to accommodate students’ busy schedules. Classes are conveniently held one day per week during the academic year’s term time. This flexible format enables students to balance their studies with other commitments, making it accessible to working professionals and individuals with diverse lifestyles.
Accreditation: The Level 2 Certificate is accredited by RHS, a renowned awarding organisation. This accreditation ensures that the qualification aligns with industry standards and is widely recognised by employers in the horticulture sector, enhancing students’ employability upon completion.
Practical Emphasis: Due to the volume of practical tasks that may arise during assessments, students will need to seek additional practice to refine skills in their own time to supplement the course.
With the practical approach, industry accreditation, and flexible scheduling, the Level 2 Certificate offers a valuable pathway for individuals seeking to advance their careers in horticulture.
The course will run from 9:30 to 15:00.
Delivery Day: Disclaimer – please note the delivery day of a programme can change each academic year. We will not be able to confirm the delivery date for the following academic year until the summer term.
