Horticulture Pathways SCQF Level 5

What is special about this course?

These part time courses are a wonderful way to improve your gardening skills. You'll work alongside out full-time students undertaking up to 4 units in each semester. 

With a mix of theory and practical work , our part time courses are a perfect start if you are  considering a career in horticulture and would like an introduction to basic horticultural skills. 

The practical elements of our courses will be delivered face to face in the wonderful surroundings of Struan Lodge Community Garden in Dunoon, and Hermitage Park in Helensburgh depending on your location. 

 

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements, just an enthusiasm for gardening. 

Home and Allotment Gardening – Course Fee £344
Starts August for 1 day per week in Dunoon or Helensburgh

Learn how to create beautiful ornamental and vegetable gardens by propagating plants using a wide range of horticultural techniques and planting in the best possible locations. And learn how to maintain the plants in a garden to support them to flourish. This course is mostly practical but you will also carry out some theory and research activities, and produce some written work to evidence your learning.

You'll study 3 SQA units:

  • Plant propagation – vegetative methods
  • Plant propagation – by seed
  • Growing fruit and vegetables
  • Planting and maintaining gardens

Garden Design – Course Fee £86
Starts August for 2 hours per week in our live online classroom. Join from any location.

Comprising 1 SQA unit, you will learn about the principles of design, how to gather a client brief or decide what you really want from your own space, how to carry out a basic site survey, and how to create a design, drawn to scale, for your site.

Garden and Planting Design – Course Fee £258
Starts August for half a day per week in Dunoon or Helensburgh

This course has a mixture of practical and theory activities and incorporates the garden design unit described above, with a further 2 SQA units:

  • Soft Landscaping
  • Plantsmanship
  • Garden Design

Equipment

No specialist equipment required but if you have a favourite pair of secateurs you like to use please bring them with you.

How will I study my course?

  • Part Time

This course is a mix of theory and practical learning.  

 

How long will my course last?

17 Weeks

Where can I study my course?

    • UHI Argyll
    • Dunoon Learning Centre
    • Helensburgh Learning Centre

Fees

Social Services, Families and Young People. Wednesdays 9.00-4.00pm consists of 3 SQA units and costs £258.

Care of Children Thursdays 9.00-1.00pm consists of 2 SQA units and costs £172

If you are on a low income or in receipt of certain benefits may receive a fee waiver. Please refer to page 2 of our Fees and Funding Guide to see if you are eligible. You can download a FEE WAIVER FORM here.  If you would like help or advice on fee waiver, please contact your nearest learning centre.

If you do not qualify for a fee waiver, you may be able to apply for an Individual Training Account (ITA) to cover up to £200 the cost of this course.

This course is not available to students who require a Tier 4 Home Office visa to study in Scotland (international or EU).

What can I do on completion of my course?

When you’ve successfully completed this course, you can move on to study full-time or at a higher level with courses such as: 

  • NC Horticulture 
  • HNC Horticulture 
  • HND Horticulture 

Employment options in this sector could include gardening work or applying to work at a garden centre, nursery, market garden or horticultural charity.

Is there more information available online?

QR Code - scan to visit course page

You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.

Apply for Horticulture Pathways SCQF Level 5

I want to start in 2025/26

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.