Horticulture HND

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

Accommodation

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

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
• This is a Category 2 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required for specific optional modules/units, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in optional modules/units, but an alternative pathway exists to achieve target qualification. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage

Direct entry to year two:

• HNC Horticulture or any other related subject

Year 1 - HNC

Year 1 of this course is HNC Horticulture

Year 2 - HND

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)

Fees

Scottish

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.

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:

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

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