Certificate in Practical Horticulture – Level 3

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.

Funding to help pay for the course may be available depending on your eligibility.

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.