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 and 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 and landscape surveying, as well as practical experience in the care, maintenance and management of plants in the amenity landscape and soil management. You will also have the opportunity to gain supervisory and management skills, along with an understanding of financial management required for sound business development.

*Subject to approval.

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

Year one:

• 2 Scottish Highers at Grade C or above Or
• 2 A levels at Grade D or above
• Alternatively, NC Horticulture

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

Access routes

NC Horticulture.

Year 1 - HND

You will study the following units:

• Horticultural Practices
• Plant Growth and Development
• Plant Protection
• Horticulture: Plant Recognition and Use
• Soil Management
• Horticulture: Graded Unit
• Plant Physiology
• Horticultural Mechanisation Principles
• Planting Design
• Financial Records for Small Businesses
• Preparing to Start a Business
• Work Experience
• Information Technology
• Plants for Gardens: Specialised Plantings

Year 2 - HND

Mandatory units include:

• Soils and plant nutrition
• Pant protection – integrated approaches
• Horticulture Graded Unit 2
• Horticulture Graded Unit 3

Option units include:

• Advanced Plant Propagation
• Hardy Ornamental Nursery Stock
• Horticultural Growing Media
• Landscape Design History
• Protected Crops
• Organic Production Systems
• Constructing Hard Landscapes Features
• Pesticide Application
• Plants for Gardens
• Retailing of Plants
• Landscape Industry – Specification and Estimation
• Personal Development Planning

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland or the European Union/EEA (outside of the UK) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course, 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 and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living whilst studying.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

*There is no part-time study option for Tier 4 sponsored international students.

Funding

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