Horticulture courses

What is horticulture?

Horticulture is the science, art and business of growing plants. It covers the cultivation of:

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

In the UK, horticulture contributes around £28billion to the economy each year and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs. Whether your strengths lie in science, creativity or practical skills, it offers a range of fulfilling career options.

The sector plays a vital role in producing food, growing plants for biomass, textiles and medicines, supporting habitat restoration and conservation, and managing more than 155,000 hectares of UK fruit and vegetable production.

Career options include roles such as:

• agronomist
• crop technician
• designer
• gardener
• growing manager
• horticultural consultants
• horticulture therapists
• mechanic
• plant specialist
• researcher
• technician.

Horticulture goes far beyond gardening. It also includes landscape design, plant pathology, entomology and research into pest and disease management.

'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.

Explore the full range of roles from the Chartered Institute of Horticulture - Grow Careers.

What horticulture courses are available?

Further education

One of the most popular ways to build practical skills and industry knowledge is through a further education course. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) offers well‑recognised Level 2 horticulture qualifications, usually studied part‑time over one year at approved centres across the UK and Ireland.

For flexible learners, the RHS Level 2 Certificate - Principles of Plant Growth and Development, delivered online through the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), covers core topics such as plant science, plant health, soil and nutrition. If you want to focus on hands‑on skills, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) Certificate in Practical Horticulture is a strong option.

Completing both RHS Level 2 certificates leads to the combined Level 2 Certificate in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture, which brings together theory and practical learning.

At Level 3, the T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production is a two‑year qualification equivalent to three A-levels. It includes specialist options such as crop and plant production and prepares students for technical roles in horticulture and agriculture. These roles include:

• arboriculturist (tree specialist)
• forestry worker
• grower
• or farm/growing site worker
• tree surgeon.

Explore our advice on studying a T Level.

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

Horticulture apprenticeships

This is an excellent route into horticulture, allowing you to earn while gaining practical experience and recognised qualifications.

The RHS offers two‑year Level 2 apprenticeships across its five UK gardens, including Wisley, Harlow Carr and Rosemoor, where apprentices learn directly from experienced horticulturists.

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

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew runs a two‑year Level 2 Botanical Horticulture Apprenticeship, featuring rotations through living collections and a funded work placement at a European botanic garden. This programme is ideal for those aiming to become professional amenity horticulturists.

Other providers, such as Central YMCA, Level 2 Horticulture or Landscape Operative apprenticeships, combining workplace training with study across a range of settings, including:

• historic gardens
• nurseries
• public parks.

For Level 3 study, the Crop Technician Apprenticeship focuses on sustainable crop production and the use of modern technology, preparing apprentices for roles in both open‑field and controlled‑environment systems.

Learn more about apprenticeships in general.

Horticulture degrees

If you're interested in the commercial or management side of horticulture, degree‑level study may be a good fit.

'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.

The BSc Horticulture at Anglia Ruskin University, delivered in partnership with Writtle University College, includes modules such as:

• community horticulture
• managing urban green and blue infrastructure
• natural resource management.

For students with a strong scientific interest, the BSc Plant Sciences at the University of Bristol provides a broad grounding in plant biology before allowing specialisation in areas such as:

• crop science
• plant genetics
• sustainable agriculture.

You could also explore degrees in landscape and garden design, which combine creativity with environmental and technical knowledge.

Discover what you can achieve with a degree in landscape and garden design degree.

Postgraduate horticulture courses

Masters-level study can help you progress into senior roles or contribute to challenges such as 'future food security and conservation of the environment,' explains Ruthie.

Several universities offer Masters degrees and postgraduate diplomas and certificates (PGDip/PGCert) in horticulture‑related subjects, including:

• Anglia Ruskin University - MSc options in Horticulture, Crop Production or Postharvest Technology.
• The University of Edinburgh - MSc Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants.
• Harper Adams University - MSc, PGDip or PGCert in Plant Health and Biosecurity.

For experienced professionals seeking flexibility, the RHS Master of Horticulture is a three-year Level 6 qualification delivered entirely online. It provides advanced knowledge of the global horticulture industry and develops high‑level research and management skills.

To explore further, search postgraduate courses in horticulture.

Online courses

As a flexible and accessible way to learn the science and art of plant cultivation, distance learning courses offers a flexible and accessible way to learn the science and art of plant cultivation, making them ideal if you're balancing study with work or other commitments.

The British Academy of Garden Design, for example, provides a range of online qualifications, from introductory certificates to professional diplomas, supporting learners at different stages of their careers.

For those looking to develop specialist or industry‑specific skills, Best in Horticulture offers flexible online courses, including the City & Guilds Safe Use of Pesticides (PA1) certification. It also delivers RHS Level 2 and Level 3 theory courses covering topics such as:

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

If you're new to horticulture, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh offers a variety of short online courses for beginners, including Getting started with Botany. These courses introduce essential botanical concepts, such as:

• the basic anatomy of leaves, roots and stems
• plant life cycles and reproduction
• plant taxonomy and classification

Course availability can vary from year to year, so it's worth checking providers regularly.

Explore our guide to microcredentials to learn more about flexible, short course options.

What skills do I need for a career in horticulture?

Patience is essential when working in horticulture. As Ruthie explains, 'you will need patience because plants, especially seedlings, are delicate, and need careful management to produce the best results,' explains Ruthie.

Successful horticulturists also have a strong attention to detail. This is crucial for spotting early signs of heat stress, water shortages, disease or pest problems. If these issues aren't identified and addressed quickly, they can have serious impacts on crop quality, productivity and, ultimately, profitability at harvest.

Alongside technical plant knowledge, people skills are equally important. Commercial growing is a team effort, and you'll regularly work with:

• clients
• colleagues
• contractors
• customers.

Strong project management skills are also vital. '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.

Discover the skills do employers want.

How can I get experience in horticulture?

Work experience

There are many ways to gain practical experience in horticulture. Community gardens are a great place to start, offering hands‑on learning and the chance to connect with others who share your interest in growing plants.

If you're looking for a more structured route, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) runs one‑year paid professional work placements across its five UK gardens. These full‑time placements are paid at least the National Minimum Wage and are aimed at learners who have completed, or are close to completing, a Level 2 horticultural qualification and have around three months of practical experience.

During the placement, you'll complete a supervised research project that leads to the RHS Level 3 Award in Horticultural Investigation, which forms part of the Level 3 diploma.

Part‑time or seasonal roles at nurseries and garden centres also provide valuable experience, helping you develop skills in:

• customer service
• plant care
• retail.

In addition, landscaping companies often recruit assistants, giving you opportunities to learn about garden design, planting and ongoing maintenance.

Volunteering

Offering up your time is a great way to build practical horticultural skills while gaining real‑world experience. Local community gardens, public parks and well‑known botanical gardens - including those run by the RHS and the National Trust - regularly welcome volunteers.

These settings give you hands‑on opportunities to learn essential gardening tasks, including:

• maintaining healthy
• planting and pruning
• thriving green spaces.

Volunteering also helps you develop confidence, build experience for your CV and deepen your understanding of the natural environment.

Discover our guidance on volunteering.

Internships

If you're looking to start a career in horticulture, internships are an excellent way to gain real‑world experience. They allow you to develop practical skills, learn directly from professionals and receive structured, specialist training.

For example, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) runs a Horticultural Internship Programme. This is an unpaid training placement that offers hands‑on experience, a professional reference and the opportunity to work in one of RBGE's gardens:

• Benmore
• Dawyck
• Edinburgh
• Logan.

The internship is self‑funded and lasts a minimum of six weeks, so you'll need to cover your own living costs during the placement.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) also offers New Shoots internships, aimed at people aged 16 or over who have not yet completed a full Level 2 horticulture qualification. These short‑term, paid placements run during the spring‑to‑autumn season (for example, from April to October) and focus on seasonal horticultural work. Interns learn how gardening practices change throughout the year, while supporting sustainable approaches in line with the RHS's climate strategy.

Interns benefit from one‑to‑one mentoring with experienced horticulturists and complete a project or presentation, helping them build a professional portfolio for future job or course applications.

Explore our tips on securing an internship.

What memberships do I need as a professional horticulturist?

Joining a professional body can help boost your career as a horticulturist. Memberships offer credibility, networking opportunities and access to industry knowledge and training.

The Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIH) is the leading professional body for horticulturists in the UK and Ireland. Membership demonstrates a commitment to high professional standards and provides:

• access to industry publications, resources and events
• opportunities to connect with experienced horticulture professionals
• support for continuing professional development (CPD).

CIH membership can also lead to Chartered Horticulturist status, which is widely recognised across the sector.

While not a formal professional qualification, RHS membership is highly respected within the horticultural community. It offers a range of benefits, including:

• access to expert advice
• educational workshops and learning opportunities
• exclusive members' days at flower shows
• free entry to RHS gardens and partner gardens
• the monthly The Garden magazine.

The Professional Gardeners' Guild provides a specialist network for working gardeners, particularly those in private or historic gardens. It focuses on developing practical skills and improving career prospects, offering:

• an active jobs board
• a structured three‑year traineeship scheme
• knowledge‑sharing events
• peer support and mentoring.

Find out more

• See what else the environment and agriculture sector has to offer.
• Search for vacancies at Horticulture Jobs.