Horticulture courses

Author
Darcy Nathan, Editor
Posted
April, 2025

Embark on a rewarding horticulture career with industry-recognised qualifications, earned through apprenticeships, degrees, or flexible online courses

What is horticulture?

Horticulture is the science, art, and business of cultivating plants. It involves the cultivation of:

  • fruits (pomology)  
  • flowers (floriculture)  
  • vegetables (olericulture)  
  • ornamental plants (landscape horticulture).

In the UK, horticulture contributes £28.2billion to the economy annually and employs over 674,200 people. Whether your strengths lie in science, creativity, or technical skills, a fulfilling career awaits you in this field.

Horticulture plays a vital role in growing plants for biomass, textiles, and medicines, ensuring a steady supply for habitat restoration and conservation, and maintaining over 20,000 hectares of UK vegetable and fruit production.

The industry offers diverse opportunities, including roles as:

Horticulture offers more than just gardening. It encompasses landscape design, plant pathology research, and entomology to solve garden pest issues.

Explore the diverse career options at the Chartered Institute of Horticulture - Grow Careers.

'Horticulture is an enormously rewarding sector to work in as its products put healthy food on our tables and enhance our natural and man-made environments which can lead to both improved physical and mental health,' explains Ruthie Peterson, careers manager at The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture.

You could be at the forefront of developing new food sources for a growing population or creating innovative solutions to evolving plant threats.

What horticulture courses are available?

Further education

Aspiring horticulturalists can enhance their careers through further education opportunities. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) provides highly regarded Level 2 qualifications, offering access to cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills. These programmes are structured for part-time study over a year and are delivered at approved centres throughout the UK and Ireland.

For flexible learners, there are qualifications, such as the Level 2 Certificate - Principles of Plant Growth and Development from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE). You'll cover plant science, health, nutrition, and specification, building a strong foundation for professional growth. If you're looking to develop practical skills, consider the RBGE Certificate in Practical Horticulture.

Earning both of these Level 2 certificates grants the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture.

'You could also consider a T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production with a view to working as a tree surgeon, grower, forestry worker, arboriculturist (tree specialist) or farm/growing site worker,' explains Ruthie.

For more details on levels of study, see our guide to qualifications.

Horticulture apprenticeships

If you're looking to enter the horticultural field, apprenticeships are an excellent pathway to gain practical experience while earning valuable qualifications. The RHS offers two-year Level 2 apprenticeships where you'll learn from seasoned horticulturists at one of their five gardens:

  • Bridgewater in Greater Manchester
  • Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire
  • Hyde Hall in Essex
  • Rosemoor in North Devon
  • Wisley in Surrey.

You can discover more about these opportunities at RHS - Apprenticeships.

Kew Gardens offers a two-year Level 2 Botanical Horticulture Apprenticeship, perfect for those aiming to become professional amenity horticulturists. This programme immerses you in various aspects of horticulture, from arboretums to glasshouses, and even includes a two-week exchange programme at a European botanic garden.

The YMCA also provides a comprehensive two-year Level 2 Horticulture or Landscape Operative apprenticeship, offering placements in diverse settings like parks, retail nurseries, and production facilities.

If you're looking study at Level 3, (equivalent to A-level), the Crop Technician Apprenticeship at Suffolk New College trains you to optimise crop yields in either soil or container-based systems, emphasising modern technology and sustainable practices. It you for roles requiring both independent work and teamwork, focusing on safe and efficient operation of automated agricultural equipment.

Learn more about apprenticeships in general.

Horticulture degrees

If you're commercially inclined, Anglia Ruskin's BSc Horticulture might be ideal. You'll do a dissertation in your final year and study modules such as:

  • Community Horticulture
  • Contemporary Urban Landscapes
  • Natural Resource Management.

'Degree level and higher qualifications are often based more in production management or the arena of academic research with a view to raising yield, reducing pest/disease impact or improving quality/nutritional content of crops and production plants,' advises Ruthie.

For students with a scientific curiosity, the University of Bristol offers the BSc in Plant Sciences. The first year establishes a strong foundation in biological sciences, including fundamental life processes, while later years delve into specialised areas like agricultural biotechnology.

Explore the potential of a landscape and garden design degree.

Postgraduate horticulture courses

'Completion of postgraduate studies may lead to an enhanced ability to apply for more senior roles or enable your work in tackling future food security and conservation of the environment,' explains Ruthie.

Several institutions provide Masters degrees and PGCert or PGDip courses. For instance:

If flexibility is key, consider the RHS Master of Horticulture, a three-to-five-year programme delivered online, allowing you to study at your own pace. This programme starts with a broad overview of horticulture, then allows you to specialise, culminating in a dissertation and applied knowledge assessment to demonstrate your practical skills.

To explore further, search postgraduate courses in horticulture.

Online courses

Distance learning courses provide a flexible and accessible way to learn the science and art of plant cultivation.

The British Academy of Garden Design, for example, provides online qualifications, ranging from foundational Certificates and Diplomas to HNCs and HNDs.

For those seeking specialised skills, Best in Horticulture offers online training in areas such as Safe Application of Pesticides (PA1), essential for responsible gardening practices and the Level 2 and Level 3 Certificates, covering topics like:

  • organic horticulture
  • plant growth and development
  • practical horticulture
  • principles of plant growth, garden planning and applied propagation.

If you're new to the field, consider starting with a beginner-friendly course like Getting started with Botany from the esteemed Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. This programme will equip you with a solid understanding of fundamental concepts such as:

  • botanical classification
  • leaf structure and function
  • plant processes
  • reproduction
  • root and stem anatomy
  • seed development.

What skills do I need for a career in horticulture?

'You will need patience because plants, especially seedlings, are delicate, and need careful management to produce the best results,' explains Ruthie.

Successful horticulturist will display outstanding attention to detail. This is key to recognising early signs of heat stress, lack of water or disease or pest presence. If not picked up on these issues can have devastating impacts in terms of productivity and quality, therefore profitability for the crop at harvest.

In addition to your skills with plants you will also need well developed people skills. Commercial growing is a team effort, and you will need to interact with:

  • colleagues
  • contractors
  • clients
  • customers.

Finally, you will need excellent project management skills. 'Growing production crops and plants can be a long-term endeavor with perennial plants such as grapevines needing year on year care and even annuals requiring months of joined up attention to ensure efficient production of a high-quality product,' says Ruthie.

How can I get experience in horticulture?

Work experience

There are many avenues to gain practical work experience in horticulture. Community gardens are a fantastic option for hands-on experience and connecting with others who share your passion for growing.

For those seeking a more structured learning environment, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) offers three-month professional work placements. These placements provide in-depth experience, including conducting new research that will contribute to your Level 3 award in Horticultural Investigation. These positions are paid at or above the National Minimum Wage, and require applicants to be currently completing or have already completed a Level 2 horticultural theory qualification.

Part-time or seasonal roles at nurseries and garden centers offer valuable experience in plant care, customer service, and retail. Additionally, landscaping companies frequently hire assistants, providing opportunities to learn about garden design and maintenance.

Volunteering

Local community gardens, expansive parks, and prestigious botanical gardens, such as those under the stewardship of the Royal Horticultural Society or the National Trust, readily welcome volunteers. These environments provide invaluable opportunities to learn the practicalities of gardening, from the delicate art of planting to the precise science of pruning, and the general upkeep of thriving green spaces. This immersive experience not only cultivates essential skills but also fosters a deep appreciation for the natural world.

Discover our guidance on volunteering.

Internships

If you're looking to launch a career in horticulture, internships are a fantastic way to gain real-world experience. You'll develop practical skills, learn from professionals, and receive specialised training.

For example, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh's Horticultural Internship Programme offers a certificate in practical training and the chance to work at one of their beautiful gardens: 

  • Benmore
  • Dawyck
  • Edinburgh
  • Logan.

The RHS also offers New Shoots internships focused on seasonal work and sustainability. You'll also have the opportunity to build a portfolio and be mentored by professional horticulturists.

Explore our tips on securing an internship.

What memberships do I need as a professional horticulturist?

Choosing the right professional memberships could help to boost your career as a horticulturist. They provide credibility, networking opportunities, and access to valuable resources.

The Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIH) is a leading professional body for horticulturists in the UK and Ireland. Membership demonstrates your commitment to the field and adherence to professional standards. You'll be able to:

For those seeking a broader horticultural path, membership in the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is highly regarded. The RHS provides access to extensive resources, educational opportunities, and a respected platform within the industry.

Finally, for professionals focused on practical gardening, the Professional Gardeners' Guild offers a specialised community and resources designed to support and enhance your skills. By carefully selecting memberships that complement your career goals, you can significantly elevate your professional standing and access the tools necessary for success in the field of horticulture.

Find out more

Written by Darcy Nathan, Editor

Prospects · April 2025

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