- Duration
1 year
- Attendance
- 3 days per week plus 1 day work experience
- Location
- Plumpton College
Course Overview
This qualification is for you if you are aged 16-19 or 19+, and want to work in horticulture. It is designed to provide you with a very wide range of specialist technical practical skills and detailed knowledge and understanding which will equip you to seek a diverse range of employment opportunities, or to further learning and training within the horticultural industry.
This qualification gives you the opportunity to learn about and build on the essentials of working in horticulture such as safe working, using equipment and machinery, plant identification, maintaining turf, plant health, pests and diseases and pruning and maintaining trees and shrubs. You will also learn about plant and soil science and business skills, and specialise in professional horticulture with regard to the optional units.
Course content
You will gain an understanding of the skills and knowledge that are important when you are working in a horticultural setting, or progressing to further learning and training in this area. You will get lots of practice and support to enable you to develop as a horticulturalist.
Work experience
Each learner is expected to complete a 180 hours evidenced work experience placement as part of the programme. This work placement should be with an employer that will provide you with structured opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge that are relevant to the qualification.
This aspect of the course will be discussed at greater depth during the induction period.
Careers Hub
We offer impartial careers guidance to all of our students, email careers@plumpton.ac.uk to explore your next step or to book an appointment – we’re here to help.
Industry Work Placement
All students aged 16-18 on our Level 2 & Level 3 programmes will now have to take part in an exciting and compulsory 50-day industry placement programme alongside completion of their vocational course. The programme will give you the chance to gain valuable skills in a real working environment whilst being paired with your ideal employer.
Our mission is to pair students with their ideal employer and to support them continuously during the placement.
There is flexibility on how students complete the placement; it can be during non-college weekdays, weekends, in blocks or over the holiday period. You will receive all of the necessary information during your interview, and if you have any queries in the meantime please contact workexperience@plumpton.ac.uk
Assessment
- Synoptic assessments/assignments where a candidate is given a problem to solve or an outcome to achieve. An example of this would be to plan and maintain a vineyard area.
- Theory examination (2-hour) each academic year
- Portfolio of evidence for work experience undertaken
- Optional unit assessments
Entry Requirements
Either:
- You'll need to have achieved 5 or more GCSEs between grade 9-4 (previous grade structure A-C) including English, Maths and a Science
- Successful completion of a related Level 2 qualification and GCSE maths or English at grade c/4 or above
Mature students without the above requirements will be considered.
Bursaries
Financial support could be available to you depending on your household income, eligibility criteria, and level of study. A bursary, which is money given directly by the Government, could help fund bus travel, accommodation, course equipment, college meals, or educational trips.
Course Fees
Students aged 16-18 on 31st August in the year of starting the course do not pay tuition fees.
Students aged 19-23 studying their Level 1, 2 or first Level 3 may be entitled to tuition fee waiver depending on criteria eligibility.
Students aged 24+ who are studying a second Level 3 course or aged 24+ who are studying their first Level 3 course will have to pay tuition fees, depending on the course.
Students on low income who can prove they earn less than £25,000 (from September 2024); are unemployed; or receive state benefits could be entitled to a tuition fee waiver.
All students pay a standard facility fee of £150 to use communal, non-educational facilities.
Material fees apply to Floristry, Blacksmithing and Metalwork, Agricultural Engineering, and Motor Vehicle students, which contribute to quality resources and equipment for their studies.
Equipment & PPE
Students on a 14-16, Level 1, 2, 3, or Foundation Learning course may be required to purchase equipment such as a uniform, PPE, or kit before starting their course. Material fees are applicable depending depending on the course studied.
Work Experience
Work experience enhances your studies and is an important part of your course. It ensures you leave college ready for the world of work. It is compulsory to undertake an element of work experience when studying a Level 1, 2, or 3 course.
