What is special about this course?
This highly practical NC course will give you a broad introduction to the study of horticulture and will equip you with the essential skills required for a career in horticulture and landscaping.
The course has two pathways and you can choose to study either Landscaping or Plant-Based horticulture. You will be asked to select one of these during your interview.
If you enjoy being creative, getting outdoors, and working in a team, then this could be an ideal course for you.
Entry requirements
There are no specific entry requirements required although a keen interest in horticulture would be an advantage.
The course provides a mix of theoretical and practical skills with the emphasis on practical horticulture and landscaping. This course has two pathways: Landscaping and Plant-Based Horticulture. Most course units are common to both pathways and are listed below – as are the specialist units for each area.
You will be asked about your preferred pathway during your course interview, and options may be limited subject to location and demand.
Course Units:
- Soils and Growing Media
- Plant Identification
- Plant Husbandry – common disorders
- Basic Botany
- Planting and Maintenance
- Horticultural Machinery – operation and maintenance
- Plant Nutrition
- Garden Design
- Drystone Dykes – building and repairing
Landscaping Units: (available Oban, Dunoon & Rothesay only)
- Horticultural Fence Construction
- Laying Slabs and Paving - an introduction
- Estate Maintenance - an introduction
- Water Features
Plant-Based Units:
- Plant Production from Seed
- Home and Allotment Gardening
- Soft Landscaping – general plantings
- Vegetative Propagation
How will I study my course?
- Full Time
- Part Time
Theory based units will be delivered by a mix of face-to-face teaching and video conference (VC) classes.
Practical teaching will take place in our own garden (for Oban Centre), Islay House Community Garden ( for Islay Centre) and Mount Stuart Trust Gardens (for Dunoon and Rothesay Centres)
How long will my course last?
1 Academic Years
You’ll attend college for 3 days per week from September until early June.
Where can I study my course?
- Dunoon Learning Centre
- Islay Learning Centre
- Oban Learning Centre
- Rothesay Learning Centre
Start date
September
Fees
For the latest information on fees please see our fees policy.
Funding
There will be some Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required. If you receive a bursary the costs of PPE will be paid for you.
What can I do on completion of my course?
When you complete this course you could progress to an SVQ in Horticulture or HNC Horticulture.
The horticultural industry is one of the largest employers in the UK. A career in horticulture could mean anything from a hands-on gardener to a research scientist.
There are many, many opportunities out there, such as
Greenkeeper, Garden designer, Gardener, Aboriculturist, Florist, Environmental scientist, Horticultural journalist, Vegetable grower, Garden centre manager, Landscape contractor, Landscape architect, Nursery grower, Park ranger, Plant breeder, Soil scientist
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
