Horticulture

Duration: 1 year
Attendance: 3 days per week plus 1 day work experience
Location: Plumpton College

Course Overview

This qualification is for you if you are aged 16-19 or 19+, and want to work in horticulture. It is designed to provide you with a very wide range of specialist technical practical skills and detailed knowledge and understanding which will equip you to seek a diverse range of employment opportunities, or to further learning and training within the horticultural industry.

This qualification gives you the opportunity to learn about and build on the essentials of working in horticulture such as safe working, using equipment and machinery, plant identification, maintaining turf, plant health, pests and diseases and pruning and maintaining trees and shrubs. You will also learn about plant and soil science and business skills, and specialise in professional horticulture with regard to the optional units.

Course content

You will gain an understanding of the skills and knowledge that are important when you are working in a horticultural setting, or progressing to further learning and training in this area. You will get lots of practice and support to enable you to develop as a horticulturalist.

Work experience

Each learner is expected to complete a 180 hours evidenced work experience placement as part of the programme. This work placement should be with an employer that will provide you with structured opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge that are relevant to the qualification.

This aspect of the course will be discussed at greater depth during the induction period.

Careers Hub

We offer impartial careers guidance to all of our students, email careers@plumpton.ac.uk to explore your next step or to book an appointment – we’re here to help.

Assessment

Synoptic assessments/assignments where a candidate is given a problem to solve or an outcome to achieve. An example of this would be to plan and maintain a vineyard area.
Theory examination (2-hour) each academic year
Portfolio of evidence for work experience undertaken
Optional unit assessments

Entry Requirements

Either:

You'll need to have achieved 5 or more GCSEs between grade 9-4 (previous grade structure A-C) including English, Maths and a Science
Successful completion of a related Level 2 qualification and GCSE maths or English at grade c/4 or above

Mature students without the above requirements will be considered.

Bursaries

Financial support could be available to you depending on your household income, eligibility criteria, and level of study. A bursary, which is money given directly by the Government, could help fund bus travel, accommodation, course equipment, college meals, or educational trips.

Bursaries & financial support

Course Fees

Students aged 16-18 on 31st August in the year of starting the course do not pay tuition fees.

Students aged 19-23 studying their Level 1, 2 or first Level 3 may be entitled to tuition fee waiver depending on criteria eligibility.

Students aged 24+ who are studying a second Level 3 course or aged 24+ who are studying their first Level 3 course will have to pay tuition fees, depending on the course.

Students on low income who can prove they earn less than £25,000 (from September 2024); are unemployed; or receive state benefits could be entitled to a tuition fee waiver.

All students pay a standard facility fee of £150 to use communal, non-educational facilities.

Material fees apply to Floristry, Blacksmithing and Metalwork, Agricultural Engineering, and Motor Vehicle students, which contribute to quality resources and equipment for their studies.

Course fees and funding

Equipment & PPE

Students on a 14-16, Level 1, 2, 3, or Foundation Learning course may be required to purchase equipment such as a uniform, PPE, or kit before starting their course. Material fees are applicable depending depending on the course studied.

Equipment & PPE

Work Experience

Work experience enhances your studies and is an important part of your course. It ensures you leave college ready for the world of work. It is compulsory to undertake an element of work experience when studying a Level 1, 2, or 3 course.

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