Advanced Plant Science and Landscape Design Diploma (Horticulture) Level 3

Course information

Plants play an incredibly important role in all our lives by providing us with oxygen and food sources. As a horticulturalist you will need to use your scientific knowledge of plants and soil to grow a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, shrubs, flowers and grass while considering sustainability and conservation. You may work in formal gardens or designing domestic spaces, plant and food production of working to enhance wildlife and diversity. Our courses will give you all the in-depth knowledge you need to start your career, with the option of continuing on to university study with one of our degrees at the iconic Eden Project.

The course is a full-time college course with four days in college plus work experience progressing from one to two years.

As a modern sustainable horticulturalist you’ll need a range of skills including; scientific knowledge of plants, soil, pest and diseases and a wide variety of practical skills such as planting, pruning and hard landscaping, including experience and certificates allowing you to use a range of machinery and equipment including your PA! spraying certificate and experience using petrol and battery mowers, strimmers, hedge trimmers and more.

This level 3 course is for learners who are interested in developing the specific technical and professional skills and knowledge that will lead to meaningful employment in the horticulture and landscaping industry. Learners will explore a wide range of industry areas.

You would take this qualification if you really enjoy the practical aspects of working in an outdoor horticultural setting. Employment opportunities that may arise from doing this qualification are very much ‘operative’ roles i.e. hands-on.

Successful completion of this course will result in the Awarding of City and Guilds Advanced Technical Diploma in Horticulture.

What You Will Learn

You will learn to design whole gardens and open spaces for the modern world, while ensuring a sustainable approach, including wildlife features, food production, hard and soft landscaping, planting sequences and laying turf for a finished show garden.

This qualification gives you the opportunity to study a range of specialist, technical and practical skills. The knowledge you learn will build upon the core skills of; safe working practices, equipment and machinery, plant identification, plant health, plant and soil science and maintenance of turf. You can then learn further specialist skills such as; garden design, business management, ponds/water features, alpine displays, tree and shrub maintenance, constructing landscape features such as steps, paths or walls and horticultural crop production as well as machinery use and maintenance.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for external applicants and school leavers
• Four or more GCSEs at Grade 4 or above including English and/or Maths, or successful completion of a relevant Level 2 qualification.
• Functional Skills Level 2 in English and/or Maths will be considered as alternatives to GCSE, but a GCSE resit may be required depending on grade.

Entry requirements for existing learners with the Cornwall College Group
• Successful completion of previous course and maths and/or English at GCSE Grade 4 or Functional Skills Level 2.

Five GCSEs at grade 4 including English, maths and science.

Work Experience

• The first year of the Level 3 course requires 150 hours of work experience in a related industry. • The second year of the Level 3 course requires 315 hours of industry placement in a related industry.

Assessment

Written exam and a synoptic assessment, as well as coursework assignments.

Progression

University study such as our FdSc Horticulture or BSc (Hons) Horticulture (Plant Science) at The Eden Project or employment in the horticulture industry including; production manager, landscape site manager, gardener, grounds maintenance manager, landscaper, garden centre worker.

Duchy College Rosewarne

Duchy College Rosewarne

This beautiful campus set just outside of Camborne has a rich history of national research and is cherished by students and staff. Whether its studying horticulture or animal care, the intimate community feel is the perfect learning environment.

With a friendly and entertaining student hub, and the most passionate and dedicated team on hand to support the college experience, Duchy College Rosewarne is renowned for its student experience. Home to the most wonderful animals and plants, this is a truly unique and special place to have your #careercollege experience.

Find out more about our Rosewarne campus

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