Horticulture HND
Course code: 214D
Study mode: You study most days of the week and complete all course units /modules in the standard time., You take fewer course units/modules per week compared to full time., You take one or more course unit/module(s) at a time.
Course type: HND
International: Not eligible for international students
Study at: Argyll; Inverness
Start in: September
Learning mode: You attend classes in person at your local campus or learning centre., You access classes and/or materials digitally., You complete a work-based activity to gain industry experience., You will come together with other students for short, intensive periods (e.g., a day, week or longer).
Duration: Full-time: 1 year; Part-time: 2 years; Part-time modular: 34 weeks
How: You attend classes at scheduled times, shown on your timetable., You complete course tasks independently. These may be set by your lecturer or chosen by you.
What is special about this course?
Deepen and develop your horticultural knowledge and practical skills on our hands-on HND Horticulture.
Developed by horticultural experts in association with plant specialists and employers in the industry, stay up to date with current developments and practices on this multi-specialism course, cultivating the skills required for success in this diverse field.
Learn from experienced horticulturists, botanists, and ecologists from across Scotland and benefit from their wealth of industry experience. Join like-minded students across the country in live online lecturers and practical work, as you develop your theoretical knowledge and practical skills, with assessments via project work, developed with support from your lecturers throughout the year.
Whether you dream of growing your own horticultural business or branching out into supervisory and managerial roles in existing horticultural enterprises, let us support you as you take your next steps in this stimulating and varied career.
Special features
- Industry-employed lecturers with links to horticultural enterprises throughout the UK and EU
- Group work and projects with like-minded students across Scotland
- Practical work and field trips in a range of wonderful Scottish gardens as well as visits to horticultural businesses
- Learn the skills required for production horticulture, botanical sciences, conservation, habitat restoration, ecology, historic and botanic garden management, and more
- Choose your own topics for your project work to tailor the course to your interests
- You can study individual modules for personal or professional development
- Study full-time or part-time to fit in with your personal and work commitments
Entry requirements
For entry to year 1, HNC Horticulture:
- 1 Scottish Higher at Grade C or above OR
- 1 A level at Grade D or above
- Alternatively, NC Horticulture (SCQF level 5 or above), City and Guilds Horticulture (level 6), SVQ 3 in a Horticulture related subject, or another equivalent SCQF level 6 course
Direct entry to year two:
- HNC Horticulture or any other related subject
- CertHE Introduction to Marine Biology, Environmental Science and Sustainability
Year 1 of this course is HNC Horticulture
You will study the following modules across both semesters:
- Advanced plant biology (3 credits)
- Applied horticultural research (3 credits)
- Botanical and historic garden horticulture (3 credits)
- Ecological and conservation garden horticulture (2 credits)
- Horticulture: professional practice (3 credits)
- Horticulture: sustainability and innovation (1 credit)
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Part-time modular (standalone modules)
All students:
- This course is mainly delivered online with scheduled sessions and tutorials
- Online study will be done via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
HNC level only:
- You will also study in-person, on campus
- Face to face tuition will take place for practical elements. Your timetable may vary through the year to accommodate daylight hours for practical sessions
- You will take part in a mandatory online induction and you will also be invited to an in-person centre induction at your local campus in the September that your course starts
- Inverness students will attend online sessions two days per week and practical sessions at your local campus for one day per week
- Argyll students will also attend online sessions two days per week and practical sessions at UHI Argyll for one day per week. However, if you cannot attend weekly practical sessions on campus due to your location, you will be supported in setting up a placement closer to you for one day per week. This applies to all students registered with Argyll but not based near to a UHI campus
HND level only:
- You will undertake four mandatory 3-day residential field trips to complete your practical work (can these be anywhere or are they based near campuses etc?)
- You will also undertake a placement in a horticultural establishment of your choice, with guidance and support from your lecturers. There is flexibility in the duration of this placement
- You will take part in an online induction in the September that your course starts
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 2 years @ 30 hours per week
- Part-time (structured): 4 years @ 15 hours per week
- Part-time modular: 34 weeks @ 4-6 hours per week per unit
The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent on online material as well as individual study and research.
- Argyll
- Inverness
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £1,285 | £1,285 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £86 | £86 |
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £7,440 | £7,886 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £496 | £526 |
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.
For students who do not normally reside in the UK, including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £8,925 | £9,460 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £595 | £630 |
Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
The Chartered Institute of Horticulture also provides information on many available horticulture scholarships and grants, which may be of help with equipment, travel, placements etc. Please visit their site for further details.
Additional costs
- Specialist PPE will be provided
- You will need to provide your own personal protective equipment for practical classes, including steel toe capped boots, gardening gloves, waterproofs, and thorn-proof clothing
- You may need to cover the costs of any transport or accommodation required to complete work placements, residentials or field trips
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed this course, you might like to consider careers in:
- Management of a botanical or historic garden
- Management of a public or private green space
- Management of a production nursery, horticultural retail enterprise, market garden or community enterprise
- Botanical sciences
- Horticulture business start-up
- Conservation and habitat restoration
Can I progress into further study?
You may wish to pursue further studies on courses such as BSc (Hons) Horticulture.
I love horticulture and wanted to study it further. I chose UHI as I could stay at home, and still study what I am interested in. The mix of delivery styles allows teaching by experts across Scotland, so the best knowledge is passed on. I was really happy with the practical teaching, something employers really want to see. The class gathering weekly allows us to enjoy the social aspects of education as well.
I joined the UHI Green Champions Network which opened up interesting discussions on how the campuses across Scotland could be more sustainable and eco-friendly. I also got the chance to attend lectures from expert scientists and ecologists.
It is so beautiful here, with amazing places to explore. The Highlands and Moray are filled with underappreciated sites of natural beauty.
Gallia studied Horticulture at UHI Moray.
Two years ago, I went to an open day at UHI’s Helensburgh campus and asked if I could join the HNC Horticulture. I graduated last summer with a ton of new knowledge and immediately signed up for the HND. I used my new qualifications to apply for a position at the National Trust for Scotland and now work for the beautiful Greenbank Garden in Glasgow, with lots of good days ahead doing a job I love.
Fiona studied HNC and HND Horticulture at UHI Argyll.
Apply for Horticulture HND
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.