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Diploma in Horticulture - Level 2Apply Now »
Location: Broomfield Hall
Years: 1
Interview: Y
Course Summary
The Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture places an emphasis on learning by doing. You will complete practical assignments; learn about plants, their botanic names and growth requirements; and gain skills in both production and amenity horticulture.
This course includes:
- Hard landscaping (construction and planning)
- Propagation
- Turf care (grass installation and maintenance)
- Planting of shrubs, bedding and trees
- Maintenance of herbaceous beds and shrub areas
It will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to find employment in the horticultural sector or to progress to a Level 3 course.
Entry requirements
You need to be highly motivated and demonstrate a keen interest in gardening, landscape or production horticulture. Offers of a place on the course are dependent on your qualifications. You will need:
- A minimum of two GCSEs at grade 3 or above including English and/or Maths
OR
- An Introductory Diploma in a land-based subject
You will have an interview and initial assessment. Parents and carers are welcome to attend the interview but not the initial assessment. You will also need to show an example of some horticultural experience (grass cutting, garden maintenance, seed sowing etc.) at interview.
If you are a mature learner, we may be able to take into consideration your previous experience in horticulture.
It is possible to progress to the Advanced Diploma in Countryside, a Level 3 Landscape and Design College Certificate or an RHS Level 3 course if you achieve a Merit grade or above.
Course Content
The course units are:
- Propagation
- Setting out from plans
- Turf care
- Landscape construction
- Horticultural industry
- Plant establishment
- Plant identification
You will also be required to study Maths and English if you have not obtained a minimum grade 4 at GCSE.
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed continually during practical sessions, on your written assignments, on plant identification and on course work.
Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?
You will be required to supply your own:
- Derby College Group coveralls
- Steel toe-capped boots or wellingtons
- Derby College Group uniform
- Writing materials to include a lever arch file and dividers
- Secateurs
What can I do after this course?
After this course, you can progress to the Advanced Diploma in Countryside or Arboriculture, a Level 3 Landscape Design and Construction College Certificate, or an RHS Level 3 course if you achieve a Merit grade or above.
Derby College Group offers a range of one-day, weekend and evening courses relating to horticulture as well as a wide range of other land-based topics - please see the Derby College Group Part-time Prospectus for a full list and details.
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Dan Brennen
Set to flourish in landscape gardening
Former Horticulture learner Dan Brennen flew the flag for Broomfield Hall by scooping a gold medal in the WorldSkills UK final – after building a garden in just 18 hours. Dan, now studying Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield, impressed industry experts who judged his efforts at the Skills Show held at the NEC.
There to represent Derby College, he was part of a team which built a garden from scratch, including laying block paving and slabs, building raised beds, installing a water feature and planting.
Dan’s success gave him the chance to work with a specialist training team to prepare for a further WorldSkills challenge in Northern Ireland – so he gained even more skills to take forward into his working life.
Being part of WorldSkills was a fantastic experience and I’ve learnt so much. The additional training I’ve done as part of the competition will earn me a Level 4 qualification which, along with my degree, will hopefully greatly improve my job prospects after university.
