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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 level 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 coveralls
- Steel toe-capped boots or wellingtons
- Derby College 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, Level 3 Landscape Design and Construction College Certificate, or an RHS Level 3 course if you achieve a Merit grade or above.
Derby College 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 Part-time Prospectus for a full list and details.
Did you find the course information on this page useful?
Nathanael Confaloni
Nathanael branches out to manage tree surgery business
Tree surgeon Nathanael Confaloni had an inkling that he could run a business, but somehow doubted that he ever would.
But after taking Horticulture Level 2 and 3 at Derby College, and with a little nudge from his lecturers, that is exactly what he is doing.
Nathanael, 24, got a love for gardening and landscaping from both of his green-fingered grandfathers. He decided to take Horticulture at Broomfield Hall. The Level 2 course – "it was really good" – gave him skills and knowledge in areas such as plant nursery, landscaping and plant stock.
He said Level 3 furthered his skills and gave him the option of going on to university. But during college, Nathanael had worked part-time with the landscaping and tree surgery business, MW Haspel. When he was offered a full-time job, he decided to go down that route, and also gained his qualifications for tree surgery.
After a period with another business, Nathanael accepted the opportunity to return and run and manage MW Haspel's tree surgery operation.Derby College had given him the skills and knowledge to set him on the road, with Level 3 giving him "a really helpful" insight into business management.
His dad also managed his own business, fitting security cameras and lights, which provided useful background knowledge. In future he said he may have the opportunity to take on the business entirely. And the best part of the job? The "awesome" views from the top of the tallest trees.
When I started at college I kind of thought of the idea of setting up on my own but didn't really think I would run a business. The lecturers gave me a little push and a bit of advice. Derby College was very important to me.
It's given me the skills and the knowledge I've got now. The lecturers were absolutely brilliant – all of them.
