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 - Horticulture Amenity Management

This course is delivered over two years, including a five month period of work placement. Students complete 240 credits.

Year 1

• Horticulture Principles and Practices (20)
• Introduction to Business (10)
• Hard landscape Principles and Practices (10)
• Nursery Stock Production (20)
• Plant and Soil Science (20)
• Plant Health (10)
• Soft Landscaping (20)
• Garden Centre Retailing and Customer Service (10) or Horticulture Technology (10)

Year 2

• Production Management Project (20)
• Improving business opportunities (20)
• Work-based learning (40)
• Human Resource Management (10)
• Principles of Organic Horticulture (10) or Development of Gardens through time (10)

Plus options from: *

• Amenity Tree Management (10)
• Contract Documentation (10)
• Public Event Management (20)
• Urban Landscape Conservation (20)

* (subject to sufficient demand)

Placement

The industrial work placement helps students to further develop their technical and management expertise. The placement can be carried out locally or internationally. In the past students have worked in local authorities, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, the National Trust and in large private gardens. Those with an interest in production can work in hardy ornamental nurseries, cut flower nurseries or in large garden centres.

While on placement, students complete units in Human Resource Management and Principles of Organic Production or Garden History. The industrial work placement helps students to further develop technical and management expertise.

Entry Requirements

'A' Levels

• 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 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 for example 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 Certificate
• CSR card
• 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 those in parks, gardens and landscape management, sportsturf management, grounds maintenance, contract management, horticultural consultancy and in education and training.