Prospectus

horticulture

Grow your future in Horticulture

Our horticulture courses are designed for those looking to start or develop a career in this diverse and rewarding industry. Gain a broad range of practical skills and knowledge, from plant identification, soil and plant science and plant health to pruning, turf maintenance, machinery and safe working practices. You’ll also explore business skills and professional horticulture through a range of specialist topics.

With plenty of hands-on experience and support from experienced tutors, you’ll build the confidence and technical skills needed for a career in horticulture. Our courses can prepare you for a range of employment opportunities, further learning or specialist training, with opportunities to gain valuable industry experience and make connections with potential employers

Campus Life at Plumpton College

Our excellent residential facilities accommodate up to 203 students in modern comfortable rooms. Rated by Ofsted as ‘Outstanding’ across all areas, you’ll find them a fantastic place to stay.

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At Plumpton College, students learn in industry-standard facilities designed to reflect real working environments, from specialist workshops and laboratories to working farms, equine centres and outdoor learning spaces across the South Downs.

A Growing Industry with Exciting Career Opportunities

Horticulture is a diverse and evolving industry, spanning plant production, garden design, landscaping, parks and gardens, food production and specialist growing. UK horticulture continues to develop, with investment in new technology, sustainable growing and innovative production methods creating new opportunities and skills needs across the sector.

A horticulture qualification can take you in many directions, from becoming a professional gardener, horticulturalist or nursery worker to progressing into landscape management, garden design, crop production or horticultural management. With experience, there are also opportunities to specialise, move into supervisory roles or develop your own horticultural business.

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Other news

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  • Food for Thought: Inspiring Action for a Fairer Food Future

    Food for Thought: Inspiring Action for a Fairer Food Future

    More than 90 attendees joined Plumpton College’s Agrifood Centre for the second Food for Thought conference, bringing together voices from government, education, food, farming and community organisations to explore the connected challenges of food education and food inequality. Part of Plumpton College’s growing programme of industry and thought leadership events, the conference provided a platform…

  • Plumpton College Backs English Wine Industry with £500,000 Training Pledge for Second Year

    Plumpton College Backs English Wine Industry with £500,000 Training Pledge for Second Year

    Plumpton College renews its Skills Pledge to the Wine Industry for a second year, reinforcing its long-term commitment to developing skills, expertise and innovation across the sector. Plumpton College, the UK’s longest-established wine education provider, is renewing its commitment to the English wine industry with a further £500,000 of fully funded training available to wine…

  • College secures £5m funding boost to meet growing demand

    College secures £5m funding boost to meet growing demand

    We’re delighted to have been awarded funding through the Department for Education’s Post-16 Capacity Fund, securing an investment of just under £5 million to increase capacity and support its continued growth.

Explore Our Horticulture Facilities

Get hands-on with plants, landscaping and specialist growing facilities at Plumpton College

  • Explore Extensive Planting Areas
    Develop your plant identification and maintenance skills across our varied on-site planting areas
  • Discover Rare Plant Collections
    Experience our Black Poplars and National Collection of Hebes, alongside our connection to Kew Gardens’ endangered plant network
  • Develop Landscaping Skills
    Build practical skills in brickwork, paving and landscaping at our dedicated landscaping centre