What is special about this course?

Horticulture is a very important sector of the Scottish economy, with more than 1,500 businesses and approximately 7,500 employees (Lantra: 'Horticulture, landscaping and sports turf factsheet'). The majority of land in Scotland is under agricultural production: horticulture, in particular, deals with the technology, art, science and business of plant cultivation.

The land-based sector is responsible for much of Scotland’s food exports. It needs suitably trained and qualified staff with the knowledge and skills to meet the fast-moving horticultural economy.

The HND Horticulture will develop your skills in plant and crop physiology and breeding, planting design, soil management and landscape surveying, as well as experience in the care, maintenance and management of plants. You will also have the opportunity to gain experience in ecology and plant habitat conservation.

Special features

• Taught by experienced horticulture specialists
• Enhance your employability skills and career prospects with industry-related technical knowledge and practical experience
• Benefit from industry guest speakers as well as tutors with extensive links to local employers within the horticulture industry

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

For entry to year one, HNC Horticulture:

• 1 Scottish Higher at Grade C or above  OR
• 1 A level at Grade D or above
• Alternatively, NC Horticulture, City and Guilds Horticulture at level 6, or another equivalent SCQF level 6 course

Direct entry to year two may be possible with HNC Horticulture (15 SQA credits).

Year 1 - HNC

Year 1 is the HNC Horticulture.

Year 2 - HND

Mandatory units include:

• Horticulture graded unit 2
• Horticulture graded unit 3
• Plant protection – integrated approaches
• Soils and plant nutrition

Option units include:

• Advanced plant propagation
• Hardy ornamental nursery stock
• Horticultural growing media
• Landscape design history
• Organic production systems
• Plants and habitats: ecology and conservation
• Plants for gardens
• Protected crops

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Note: The Scottish Government set this fee which has not yet been confirmed for 2021-22 so may be subject to change.

Rest of UK students

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:

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.

International students

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:

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Funding

External scholarships and financial support may be available. Contact the relevant UHI partner college for more information.

The Chartered Institute of Horticulture also provides information on many available horticulture scholarships and grants: https://www.horticulture.org.uk/.