Certificate in Plant Identification and Botany
This course is suitable for students who want to develop their plant identification and botany skills. It includes plant nomenclature, using keys, visits to botanical gardens and identification.
Course Summary
Course Information for Students
Who is this course for?
The course is aimed at anyone with a keen interest in horticulture and plants.
Entry Requirements
You just need an interest in the subject area and should have English and maths skills.
What will you learn?
Course structure and organisation:
- Improve observation skills
- Know the reasons for botanical names
- Plant nomenclature
- Traditional plant family classification
- Using keys to aid identification
- Visits to gardens to look at collections of plants
- History of plant hunting and collecting
There are ten units to study over the duration of the course:
- Plant classification, nomenclature, and naming
- Inflorescences, leaf shapes, leaf margins, arrangements, and venation
- A look at plant families: Primulaceae, Ranunculaceae, Liliaceae and Amaryllidaceae
- Spring flowering shrubs – plant hunting in China
- Fern identifications
- Plants suitable for different soil types: acid, lime, wet and dry areas
- A look at Brassicaceae and Asteraceae
- Alpines and Aquatics
- Pressing and preserving plants
- Rosaceae
How will you learn?
You will learn at Broomfield Hall.
What will you need to bring with you?
N/A
How will you be assessed?
You will be assessed throughout the duration of the course.
Where next?
After the course, you can take RHS Garden Planning Level 3 or a Level 3 Certificate in Horticulture. There is also the RHS Level 2 Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation and Development programme.
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.
Who do you contact for more information?
For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk
Course Information for Employers
Information for Employers
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Find out what funding could be available to you:
Thinking about returning to education or developing new skills? Use our funding calculator below to get an estimate of the financial support you may be eligible for based on where you live.
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Simply enter your postcode into the calculator to see an estimate of the funding that may be available in your area. This is based on regional funding allocations and typical eligibility criteria for adult learners.
Important:
The results shown are a guide only and are not a guarantee of funding.
Funding availability can vary depending on:
- Your personal circumstances (such as age, employment status, and prior qualifications)
- The course you choose
- Government and local funding rules at the time of enrolment
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Course Information Last Updated On: March 20, 2026 2:50 pm
