Level 2 Diploma in Practical Horticulture Skills
You will be provided with a foundation in a broad range of skills required to work competently within the horticulture industry.
Course Summary
Course Information for Students
Who is this course for?
This course is aimed at school leavers who wish to learn more about the broad range of skills required to work competently within the horticulture industry.
You will be taught practical skills and theoretical background knowledge at College and will be expected to practise and develop these skills in the workplace.
Entry Requirements
You need a keen interest in horticulture and should be willing to complete physical, outdoor practical tasks.
You should have a minimum of three GCSEs at a grade 3 (D) and above, including English and/or Maths
OR
A Level 1 qualification at a Merit grade
To progress to Year 2 of the programme, you will need to achieve a Merit grade or above in Year 1.
What will you learn?
This course includes:
- Tutorial
- Work experience – 150 hours in total
- Prepare ground or area for planting
- Plant out container-grown plants
- Plant a tree
- Care for a planted area
- Prune deciduous spring-flowering shrubs
- Prune free standing fruit trees in winter
- Propagate plants indoor from seed
- Propagate plants by stem cuttings
- Maintain turf
- Repair damaged turf
There will also be an opportunity for you to complete NPTC strimmer, mower and hedge cutter qualifications, with the training provided by the College and only the assessment fee payable.
You will also study GCSE Maths and/or English alongside your main study programme, if you do not already hold these at a grade 4 or above.
How will you learn?
This course is delivered on-site at Broomfield Hall and is a mixture of classroom and practical, hands-on learning.
What will you need to bring with you?
You will need:
- Steel toe-cap boots
- Derby College Group overalls (can be purchased at Induction)
- Outdoor clothing
- Gloves
- Waterproofs
- Writing materials
How will you be assessed?
You will be assessed through a range of assessment types including workbooks, written assessments and practical assessments.
Where next?
Successful completion of this programme may lead to:
- Year 2 of the qualification
- A Level 3 qualification
- An apprenticeship in Horticulture
- Full-time employment in the horticulture industry
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
Career Information
DCG Success Stories
Discover how our students have achieved success. Their hard work and dedication to learning has enabled them to succeed in rewarding careers or progress onto higher education.
We encourage progress and aspirational outcomes by guiding people onto learning pathways that lead to positive destinations. Our students have gone on to achieve great things since leaving the College. We would like to share some of their inspiring success stories with you.
Applications for 2026 Full-Time School Leaver Courses are now CLOSED FOR PROCESSING*
If you’ve already applied for a full-time vocational or academic course, please check your InTouch account to view your application status and accept any outstanding offers. We may also be trying to contact you by phone, so keep an ear out for calls from the College — to ensure we are progressing your first-choice course area.
Haven’t applied yet?
Your next opportunity will be during our Clearing Enrolment sessions, starting Wednesday 26th August at 12pm. Please note that places will be limited and subject to course availability, entry requirements, and interviews.
Course Information Last Updated On: February 23, 2026 3:48 pm
