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Adult Learners > Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)

Certificate in Practical Horticulture – Level 3

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Two RHS Horticulture students working in the glasshouse
Courses Code
QD3HOPHS
Study method
Part Time
Cost
£1500
Location(s)
Rodbaston
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  • Is this course for you?

    This course forms part of the newly revised suite of three qualifications that make up the Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture which consists of:

    • Level 3 Certificate in Practical Horticulture
    • Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Garden Planning and Applied Propagation
    • Level 3 Award in Horticultural Investigation

    For 2024-25, we are offering the practical qualification only, with a view to offering the other two qualifications in future years to allow for the achievement of the full Level 3 Diploma. Level 3 courses are aimed at those progressing within horticultural roles and/or have an interest in the supervision and development of gardens and landscapes.

  • Required qualifications

    You should hold a Level 2 qualification in horticulture or be able to demonstrate substantial skills and knowledge of the subject matter. The RHS Level 2 qualifications forms the basis for progression onto this level of study.

  • What skills will I develop?

    Students will advance transferable skills including problem solving, implementing management plans, leadership, teamwork and communication skills.

    The qualification consists of the following practical topics:

    • Plant knowledge
    • Creating planted areas
    • Maintaining planted areas
    • Plant health
    • Productive growing
    • Protective growing
    • Ecological and sustainable plantings
    • Landscaping materials

    Assessments will consist of an Online Competency Assessment (OCA) and two Practical Competency Assessments (PCA), where you will be observed carrying out various horticultural activities. Plant identification will feature throughout all assessments.

  • Careers

    You can choose to study the Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Garden Planning and Applied Propagation and the Level 3 Award in Horticultural Investigation in order to gain the full Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture.

    Completion of the full diploma will give you the required knowledge and skills to succeed in higher-level roles within the industry, such as garden supervisor, teams leader, retail managers.

    It could also lead to further study at a higher level such as the RHS Master of Horticulture (MHort) via RHS Qualifications.

  • Work experience

    No work experience is required as part of this qualification but it is useful if you are already working within the industry.

  • English and maths

    You should have a good standard of English and maths for this level of study.

  • Other important information

    At Level 3, you are expected to carry out some self-directed study and background reading to support your practical classroom teaching. You will be required to have suitable outdoor clothing and footwear for practical activities onsite.

  • Is this course for you?

    This course forms part of the newly revised suite of three qualifications that make up the Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture which consists of:

    • Level 3 Certificate in Practical Horticulture
    • Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Garden Planning and Applied Propagation
    • Level 3 Award in Horticultural Investigation

    For 2024-25, we are offering the practical qualification only, with a view to offering the other two qualifications in future years to allow for the achievement of the full Level 3 Diploma. Level 3 courses are aimed at those progressing within horticultural roles and/or have an interest in the supervision and development of gardens and landscapes.

  • Required qualifications

    You should hold a Level 2 qualification in horticulture or be able to demonstrate substantial skills and knowledge of the subject matter. The RHS Level 2 qualifications forms the basis for progression onto this level of study.

  • What skills will I develop?

    Students will advance transferable skills including problem solving, implementing management plans, leadership, teamwork and communication skills.

    The qualification consists of the following practical topics:

    • Plant knowledge
    • Creating planted areas
    • Maintaining planted areas
    • Plant health
    • Productive growing
    • Protective growing
    • Ecological and sustainable plantings
    • Landscaping materials

    Assessments will consist of an Online Competency Assessment (OCA) and two Practical Competency Assessments (PCA), where you will be observed carrying out various horticultural activities. Plant identification will feature throughout all assessments.

  • Careers

    You can choose to study the Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Garden Planning and Applied Propagation and the Level 3 Award in Horticultural Investigation in order to gain the full Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture.

    Completion of the full diploma will give you the required knowledge and skills to succeed in higher-level roles within the industry, such as garden supervisor, teams leader, retail managers.

    It could also lead to further study at a higher level such as the RHS Master of Horticulture (MHort) via RHS Qualifications.

  • Work experience

    No work experience is required as part of this qualification but it is useful if you are already working within the industry.

  • English and maths

    You should have a good standard of English and maths for this level of study.

  • Other important information

    At Level 3, you are expected to carry out some self-directed study and background reading to support your practical classroom teaching. You will be required to have suitable outdoor clothing and footwear for practical activities onsite.

Testimonials

Nicola Davies Horticulture Tutor

“Following on from the success of the new level 2 qualifcations, it is great to be able to bring the RHS Level 3 Certificate in Practical Horticulture to Rodbaston for the first time. I am looking forward to exploring the range of topics with learners and encouraging them to think about horticulture in a different way. At level 3 there is a requirement for critical thinking and applying principles of horticultural science to a range of situations.”

Nicola Davies

Lecturer

Apply for a course

  • RHS Level 3 (FC)

    Rodbaston College

    Start Date: 17th September 2025

    Code: QRD3HOPHS

    Cost: £1500

    Start Time: 09:00 AM

    End Time:13:00 PM

    Part Time: 35 Weeks

    Day(s): Wednesday

    Apply
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