Foundation Degree in Horticulture
Horticulture > Foundation Degree in Horticulture
Course Duration
Full-time: 2 years, Part-time: 4 years
Full-time: 2 years, Part-time: 4 yearsFull-time: 2 years, Part-time: 4 years
Course Location
Greenmount Campus
Foundation Degree in Horticulture
The Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Horticulture at Greenmount Campus is validated by Ulster University. While studying on this course you will grow your knowledge and learn about topics including sustainability, technology, innovation and business management. The Foundation Degree in Horticulture is an ideal qualification for those wishing to establish a career in management or technical roles in the horticulture industry.
Course Entry Requirements
Applicants should normally have at least 48 UCAS tariff points at A2 Level plus four appropriate GCSEs or equivalent, including English Language and Mathematics at Grade C or above.
Students with a Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma / Extended Diploma with Merit will be considered.
For part-time applicants who fall short of the UCAS entry requirements, current industry role, relevant industry experience and qualifications may be taken into account. For some modules it may be possible for applicants to apply for Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
In addition to meeting the course entry requirements applicants must also meet the General Entrance Requirements for Ulster University
For other qualifications, including Irish Leaving Certificate, please consult the UCAS website Tariff Tables.
Leaving Certificate Applied and Leaving Certificate Foundation Level are not considered as meeting entry requirements for CAFRE programmes. If you require guidance on entry qualifications please email the Key Contact for this course.
How to apply
To apply to study full-time on this course please follow this link to the UCAS website
To apply to study part-time on this course, please follow this link.
UCAS Course Code
Institution code: A45 Course code: D415
This degree programme is being re-validated over 2025/26. This is make sure it is as up-to-date as possible, meaning course content is subject to change.
Course content
Modules (Level 4:Year 1)
- Applied horticultural science
- Horticultural business processes and communication
- Horticultural principles and practices
- Production management - ornamental crops
- Technology and mechanisation in horticulture
- Turf culture principles and practices
Modules (Level 5:Year 2)
- Applied business management
- Applied design
- Estate management
- Production management - edible crops
- Professional work placement
Work placement
The compulsory ten week professional work-based learning placement allows students to develop technical and commercial expertise. This work placement is completed in semester two of the second year of the course. Part-time students in horticultural employment can normally complete the work placement as part of their regular job, this is discussed on an individual basis.
Course Progression
On completion of the Foundation Degree, graduates may have the opportunity to apply to top-up their qualification. CAFRE offers a BSc (Hons) Degree in Horticulture which requires one year full-time or two years of part-time study.
A wide range of exciting careers are open to Foundation Degree Horticulture graduates within the landscape, sports turf, production, retail, environmental and social horticulture sectors. Graduates also have the skills and may seek opportunities to start their own business.
Fees and funding support
For information about fees and funding support click here.
Greenmount Campus
Greenmount Campus is the centre of all things green – that’s agricultural, horticultural and environmental providing an idyllic rural setting for your land-based studies.
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Jeffrey Morris
Student
"I have had an excellent experience at CAFRE. I have progressed from the Level 3 course to FdSc Horticulture. My fondest memory has been working on the ‘Clockwork Garden’ in Antrim Castle Gardens, it was fantastic to see the process and be involved. In the future I see myself on the career path of a park ranger or in forestry."
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