Horticulture Level 5/6 NQ

What is special about this course?

Transform Your Passion into Purpose: Cultivate a career that develops your horticultural skills and knowledge and learn about horticulture that heals both people and the planet.

You will develop your practical horticultural skills further by attending a short work placement, and we'll support you in securing a suitable placement which aligns with your interests and future ambitions. Previous students have attended placements at botanic gardens, therapeutic horticulture centres, plant nurseries, garden centres, with garden designers and landscapers and in environmental projects.

During your course you will have guest lectures from industry experts in horticulture, environmental management, community gardens and therapeutic settings.

Entry requirements

  • Three National 4 qualifications, plus National 5 English, or equivalent. 
  • You must be 16 years old at the start of the course.    

We also welcome applications from individuals with relevant industry experience.

All applications are considered on merit with regards to positive engagement with staff and fellow learners. You may be invited for an interview. 

Our comprehensive horticulture course offers a unique, three-pillar approach to horticultural study:

1. Botanical Studies
 Learn about the science of plant life including:

  • An introduction to botany.
  • Plant nutrition.
  • Soils and growing media.
  • Plant identification and the naming and classification of plants.
  • Weed, pest and disease identification and control methods.
  • A practical horticulture work placement with an organisation local to you.
  • You will also attend a 3-day field trip to Helensburgh for horticultural skills workshops in soil testing, plant identification, habitat surveying and weed, pest and disease identification.

2. Environmental Science & Sustainability
Become an agent for environmental action, learn to address modern ecological challenges and how horticulture can be used to conserve and restore landscapes.

  • Horticulture: Climate Change Impact and Climate Action.
  • Environmental Science: Living Environment.
  • Environmental Science: Sustainability.

3. Social & Therapeutic Horticulture
Harness the power of nature to improve lives. Learn how to design and facilitate nature-based interventions for healthcare, community, and educational settings, promoting mental and physical well-being through guided horticultural activities.

  • Sustainable food production and community gardening.
  • Coping strategies and building resilience through horticultural activity.
  • Therapeutic horticulture.

Each topic can be studied individually as a part time course. 

Full time students will complete all three topics plus have additional guidance time with a lecturer to support their wider skills development including self-management, social intelligence and innovation.
 

Equipment

Your bursary (for full time students) will cover the costs of personal protective clothing including steel toe cap boots, gloves and waterproofs which will be supplied at the start of the course.  

No other specialist equipment is required however if you have a favourite pair of secateurs you like to use please bring them with you. A scale ruler and colouring pencils or pens for garden design would also be useful. 

How will I study my course?

  • Full Time

The majority of course content is delivered in our online classroom, with scheduled classes which you must attend in your local UHI Argyll learning centre. Your work placement can take place at a time which is convenient to you and your placement provider.

The course contains no large end of year assessments or exams. Each topic is assessed throughout the year through report writing, quizzes or small tests and project work. 

How long will my course last?

1 Academic Year

Where can I study my course?

    • UHI Argyll
    • Arran Learning Centre
    • Campbeltown Learning Centre
    • Dunoon Learning Centre
    • Helensburgh Learning Centre
    • Islay Learning Centre
    • Lochgilphead Learning Centre
    • Oban Learning Centre
    • Rothesay Learning Centre

Start date

August

Fees

For the latest information on fees please see our fees policy.

Funding

Bursary for Living Costs 

If you are 18 years of age or over on the start date of your course, and will be studying full-time you may be eligible for bursary funding, depending on your household income. Our bursary fund is finite and is allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis so it’s important to make your application for bursary as soon as the application process opens in July. You will need to have accepted our offer before you apply. 

If you are under 18 you may be eligible for EMA. EMA is paid at a rate of £30 per week dependent on your total household income.  

Please see page 2 of our Fees and Funding Guide for full details of Bursary and EMA.  

You may also be eligible for assistance with travel and childcare, and we have discretionary funds for those students in need. You can find all the information you need in our funding pages. 

What can I do on completion of my course?

Most of our students go on to further study with courses such as the HNC Horticulture.  

Some of our students have gone on to work on locally as gardeners, designers and landscapers, or have taken positions in garden centres, with conservation and environmental initiatives, or in horticultural therapy. 

This course prepares you for entry level into careers in all areas of horticulture, environment and community and therapeutic horticulture settings. 

Is there more information available online?

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Apply for Horticulture Level 5/6 NQ

I want to start in 2026/27

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at UHI Argyll. UHI Argyll operates 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 age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion and/or belief, sex, sexual orientation or socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.