Course Aim

The Certificate of higher Education in Horticulture, which is validated by the University of Ulster, is designed to equip students with the knowledge, technology and techniques required by the industry.

It is recognised that people already in the industry have a wide breadth of experiences and abilities and the course is tailored to suit their needs. Students study a broad range of modules to provide a broad base of horticultural knowledge. These  courses are aimed at individuals who are currently working in the horticulture and related landscape industries, such as local authorities, nursery-stock producers, landscape contractors, designers and garden centres. They are also suitable qualifications for those wishing to change their career and enter the horticulture industry.

Course Content

Students undertake core subjects and select optional subjects. 120 credit points are required to obtain a Certificate in Higher Education.

All students undertake the three compulsory units 60 credits

• Plant and soil science (20)
• Horticulture Principles and Practices (20)
• Soft landscaping (20)

And then choose another 60 credits to complete the certificate from the list below *

• Plant Health (10)
• Intorduction in Business Management (10)
• Turf Mechanisation and Irrigation Management (20)
• Garden and Planting Design (20)
• Construction of Sportsturf Surfaces for Quality Performance (20)
• Nurserystock Production (20)
• Horticulture Technology (10)
• Garden Centre Retailing (10)
• Hard Landscape Principles and Practices (10)
• Sustainable Enterprise Management (20)

* subject to sufficient demand

For the list of modules in each course, refer to the information on the full-time Foundation degree programmes.

The Course Manager can provide guidance on the sequence in which the modules can be studied to complete the FdSc/Certificate in Higher Education.

Course delivery

Full time students study Monday to Friday. Part-time students study on Tuesdays during the first year and on Mondays during the second year of the course, teaching schedules can be discussed with the Course Manager at interview.

Entry Requirements

'A' Level

100 tariff points, plus four GCSE subjects at Grade C including English, Mathematics and Science.

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.

National Diploma

An appropriate National Diploma / Certificate / Award in Horticulture at Merit level with industrial experience.

Prior Experiential Learning

Industrial experience and prior qualifications of applicants who have worked for a minimum of three years are taken into account and for some modules it may be possible to apply for Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).

Careers

Part-time study on a Foundation Degree / Certificate in Higher Education course is aimed at developing the business management and technical knowledge of people already working in, or with an interest in, the horticultural industry to aid promotion or business development.