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ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN HORTICULTURE VHT004

Duration (approx) 900 hours
Qualification
Advanced Certificate

Advanced Horticulture Course

Students enrolled in this course are offered free student memberships to industry bodies (including C.I.H. and A.I.H.)

  • Study with highly qualified and internationally renowned horticultural tutors in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
  • ACS Distance Education has been teaching horticulture for over 4 decades.
  • ACS offers a range of unique services – unrestricted access by phone or email to highly qualified and experienced horticulturalists.

 Courses can be started anytime from anywhere in the world!

 

Modules

Core ModulesThese modules provide foundation knowledge for the ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN HORTICULTURE VHT004
 HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH I BHT118
 HORTICULTURE III (PLANT HEALTH) BHT116
 PLANT TAXONOMY BHT344
 PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE 1 BHT238
 SOIL MANAGEMENT - HORTICULTURE BHT105
Elective ModulesIn addition to the core modules, students study any 4 of the following 12 modules.
 ARBORICULTURE I BHT106
 BIOPHILIC LANDSCAPING BHT343
 BOTANY I - PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND TAXONOMY BSC104
 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT - BEN301
 FLOWERING SHRUBS BHT347
 GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT BHT257
 HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH II BHT241
 PERMACULTURE SYSTEMS (PDC) BHT201
 SEED PROPAGATION BHT237
 SOIL MICROBIOME BSC310
 TECHNICAL WRITING - BWR301
 TURF GRASSES BHT342

It's easy to enrol...

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is there practical as well as theory work in the course?

Yes. Every lesson involves firstly working through an online study guide to get a theoretical background, then doing guided tasks usually away from the computer that are designed to broaden and deepen more practical learning. At the end of each lesson, you submit an assignment, which is returned to you (normally within 10 days) containing feedback from an expert tutor -trained and experienced in the industry.

What are the Career Outcomes?

Excellent. There are significant skills shortages at a mid level in the horticulture industry; and too few students studying courses like this one. Consequently, the demand for technicians is high from employers, and the opportunities to establish yourself as a  business offering technical services is high. We have strong industry connections, and provide help with careers - referring our students to industry bodies, and advising them how to seek work opportunities and advance their careers.

In a Changing World - Keep Your Options Open

Horticulture is a large, diverse industry, that impacts in every corner of our lives, from the gardens that surround our homes, and the street trees and parks we pass on the way to work, to the food we eat for lunch and the flowers we bring home for a loved one at the end of a day.

The horticulture industry is not the same today as it was last year, and it is almost certainly going to continue changing well into the future. One thing won't change though. People will always grow plants, not just because they need to, but also because they want to.

There will always be business and work opportunities for people who know how to grow plants. Those opportunities will change though; and the most successful horticulturists will be those with a very broad based knowledge, and an ability to adapt to different jobs in different sectors as the industry continues to evolve.

This course is designed to be broad based; in order to keep your options broad. You can't go too far wrong, by starting your horticultural education here. 

Study in your own home with support from our highly experienced, highly qualified and friendly, helpful tutors.

 

Course Information

Duration: The course requires approximately 800 - 900 hours of study.

Start Date: Start at any time - to suit you.

 

What do our students think of our horticultural courses?

"I have found the course to be interesting and challenging, with great learning materials that really make you research the industry and get involved. It has been a great way to study because it has allowed me to work in the industry and study at the same time. I have found the online resources to be fantastic, the tutor’s feedback constructive and the fact that assignments can be submitted online makes the process so easy."

Tom Wood - Diploma in Horticultural Science course. 

Where This Course Could Lead You

Our advanced certificates provide industry qualifications that demonstrate commitment, perseverance, and a level of knowledge which most employers respect. Graduates from this course develop technical knowledge and skills in horticulture, for work as a horticultural technician in any industry sector, including:

  • Horticulture Production Industries
  • Parks & gardens.
  • Landscaping
  • Garden maintenance.
  • Horticulture retail.
  • Nursery work. 

 

Any questions?

Our horticulture tutors are more than happy to help, so please ask if you have any questions.  

 
Courses can be started anytime from anywhere in the world!

Meet some of our academics

Timothy WalkerB.A.(Botany), RHS.M. Hort., Post.Grad.Dip.Ed. Former Director, Oxford Botanic Gardens.
Maggi BrownMaggi is regarded as an expert in organic growing throughout the UK, having worked for two decades as Education Officer at the world renowned Henry Doubleday Research Association. She has been active in education, environmental management and horticulture across the UK for more than three decades. Some of Maggi's qualifications include RHS Cert. Hort. Cert. Ed. Member RHS Life Member Garden Organic (HDRA) .
Diana Cole (Horticulturist)Horticulturist, Permaculturist, Landscaper, Environmentalist. Holds a Diploma in Horticulture, degree in geography, permaculture certificate and various other qualifications. Between 1985 and 94, Diana was a task leader with the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. Since 2001 she has been chairperson of the Friends of Mellor Park (with Stockport MDC). From 2005 she has worked exclusively in horticulture as proprietor of her own garden design and consultancy business in and around Derbyshire; and at the same time as part time manager of a small garden centre. Diana has been an enthusiastic and very knowledgeable tutor with ACS since 2008.


Check out our eBooks

Commercial HydroponicsThe Commercial Hydroponics ebook is ideal for students, professional horticulturalists and those who want to build a strong foundation knowledge in hydroponics. The commercial hydroponics ebook explains how to set up a commercial hydroponics system, including growing techniques and equipment that you will need. The topics covered in this book include an introduction to hydroponics, site considerations, alternatives, plant nutrition, nutrient film technique culture, rockwool culture, aggregate culture, other techniques, hydroponics equipment, greenhouse operation, plant culture in hydroponics, Vegetable crops, berry and other fruit crops, flower crops, other crops, managing a commercial hydroponic farm and a troubleshooting guide.
Garden Design Part 1The Garden Design ebook part 1 is an essential handbook for students and landscape professionals. A foundation guide to garden design, this book provides stunning full illustrations to demonstrate tips and examples on garden design, functional uses and aesthetics. Some topics that are covered in this ebook include 1/ Introduction to Garden Design, 2/ Appropriateness of garden design, 3/ Creating an impact, 4/ Designing to a budget, 5/ Choosing plants, 6/ Using the garden, 7/ Where the garden meets the house, 8/ Making the winter garden more comfortable, 9/ Gardens for children, 10/The secure home and garden, 11/ Lighting a garden, 12/ Dealing with shade, 13/ Garden Art, 14/ Pots and planters, 15/ Colour in the garden, 16/ Applications for colour and 17/ Garden furniture.
Plant Pests & DiseasesAre you one of those people that kill every plant you touch? Perhaps it's not you. Perhaps it's a pest or disease. A little bit of reading might just turn your garden into an oasis. Learn how to identify pests and diseases and bring the spring back into your plant...visit the bookshop to find out more...
WeedsThis book helps you understand different types of weeds, and how to control them. Many of the more commonly occurring weeds around the world are both illustrated and described.