The Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Horticulture is validated by the University of Ulster and has three pathways which students can follow. The first semester is common for all students, after which they can choose to specialise in Sportsturf Management, Landscape Horticulture or Amenity Horticulture.

Course Content

This course is delivered over two years, including a five month period of work placement. Students gain an understanding of the principles of horticulture and business management whilst developing their skills in sportsturf construction and maintenance.

Content - Sportsturf Management

Students complete 240 credits

Year 1  

• Construction, Design and Performance of Sportsturf surfaces (20)
• Horticulture Principles and Practices (20)
• Horticulture Technology (10)
• Introduction to Business (10)
• Plant and Soil Science (20)
• Plant Health (10)
• Turf Mechanisation and Irrigation (20)
• Hard Landscape Principles and Practices (10)

Year 2

• Sportsturf Management Project (20)
• Design and Planning of Sportsturf Facilities (10)
• Improving Business Opportunities (20)
• Work Based Learning (40)
• Human Resource Management (10)

Plus options  from: *

• Amenity tree management (10)
• Contract documentation (10)
• Urban landscape conservation (20)
• Public event management (20)

* (subject to sufficient demand)

Placement

The industrial work placement helps students to further develop technical and commercial expertise. The placement can be carried out locally or internationally. In the past Greenmount students have completed placements at; Gleneagles; the ‘K Club’, Co Kildare, the Hilton, Templepatrick and Nuremore Golf Courses. Whilst on placement students complete a project on the design and planning of sportsturf facilities and another on human resource management.

Students are encouraged to focus on the development of practical and managerial skills and avail of opportunities to demonstrate transferable skills in ICT, problem solving and communication.

Entry Requirements

'A' Level

• 100 UCAS points normally 2 'A' levels

Plus 4 GCSE subjects at Grade C including and English and preferably Mathematics and double award Science. An equivalent Level 2 pass in essentila skills will be considered equivalent to a GCSE Grade C in English.

Irish Leaving Certificate

• 100 UCAS points equivalent

Including two Grade C1s at Higher level or equivalent and English and Mathematics to at least Grade B at Ordinary Level.

Extended Diploma

• An appropriate Extended Diploma with Merit grade or Subsidiary Diploma at Distinction Level.

Additional Qualifications

During the course students may have the opportunity to achieve additional, nationally recognised qualifications to compliment their Foundation Degree, which can give a competitive advantage in employment or career progression.

These qualifications include:

• Food and Environmental Protection Act - Spraying Certificates
• Emergency First Aid
• Manual Handling.

Bursaries

Students studying the Foundation Degree in Horticulture course can compete for bursaries worth £1,000 each.

Careers

There is a wide range of careers open to graduates including parks and landscape management, sportsturf management, grounds maintenance, contract management, horticultural consultancy, and in education and training delivery