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, 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

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 - HNC

Mandatory units are:

• Horticultural Practices
• Plant Growth and Development
• Plant Protection
• Horticulture: Plant Growth and Recognition
• Soil Management
• Horticulture: Graded Unit

Optional units may include:

• Plant Physiology
• Horticultural Mechanisation Principles
• Planting Design
• Financial Records for Small Businesses
• Preparing to Start a Business

Year 2 - HND

Mandatory units include:

• Soils and plant nutrition
• Plant 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
• Plants for Gardens
• Plants and Habitats: Ecology and Conservation

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, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) 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 while 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:

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK.

Funding

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

Additional Costs

• Practical elements are delivered during a block placement at Argyll College UHI's garden in Oban