Horticulture / Horticulture: Garden Design FdSc
- Level(s) of Study: Foundation degree / Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): D400; D401
- Start Date(s): September 2023
- Duration: Two years full-time, three years part-time / sandwich
- Study Mode(s): Full-time / Part-time / Sandwich
- Campus: Brackenhurst Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
Explore the life of plants on these highly vocational and practical courses. Based on understanding and interpreting the landscape around us, they explore horticultural production and growing, along with the principles of plant and soil science. Horticulture is a diverse subject area that covers plant and soil science; commercial crop production; ornamental flower and plant growing; landscape and garden design; and green-space management.
In the final year you can choose to specialise with the Garden Design pathway.
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You will have the opportunity to become proficient in surveying a site for development, and plotting data both by hand and using AutoCAD (Computer Aided Design). -
Brackenhurst campus is home to an entrepreneurial cut-flower business called the Flower Pod, run by the Southwell Care Project and supported by student and staff volunteers. -
100% student satisfaction for FdSc Horticulture (FT) (National Student Survey, 2022). -
We're in the top 15 in the UK for Agriculture and Forestry courses (Complete University Guide 2023).
What you’ll study
Throughout the course you'll explore the topics of:
- plant and soil science
- commercial crop production
- ornamental flower and plant growing
- landscape and garden design
- green space management
Plants and Soil Science
Develop an understanding of the anatomy, morphology and physiology of plants and how they function in relation to their environment. Aspects include photosynthesis, respiration, and plant propagation. Learn the principles of soil science and identify and evaluate common pests, diseases and disorders.
Garden Design in Practice
This module introduces you to the basic design skills, knowledge and principles required for garden design. It also incorporates the principles of historic garden design and how they relate to design today.
Survey Planning and Construction
Develop topographical site surveying techniques using the latest recording technologies. Gain an introduction to the concept of hard landscaping, including basic bricklaying, block paving, fencing, and patio construction.
Horticultural Technology
Study the range of technologies that have application to the horticultural industry, including greenhouse systems, horticultural machinery, plant propagation technology, and total station (topographical) technology.
Plant and Botanical Knowledge
This module provides an introduction to applied botany, taxonomy and classification. Learn about the range and use of ornamental plants commonly available to the landscaping industry, and also look at ground preparation, planting and maintenance strategies.
This is a placement year for students on the three-year course.
FdSc Horticulture
Soft Landscape Design
Develop knowledge of the range of ornamental plants, and devise planting plans to cover a variety of soft landscape types in both commercial and private contexts.
Horticultural Practices
Learn practical skills in relation to fruit, vegetable and flower production, by both organic and inorganic methods.
Horticultural Employability
Undertake a short industrial placement within the horticultural or landscape sector. The module is complemented by a series of external speakers from industry, giving insight into both career and business opportunities. You’ll also develop your own professional online media profile.
Experimental Design and Analysis
This module will introduce you to research methodology, hypothesis testing, statistical analysis and data presentation
You'll also choose two optional modules:
Green Space Management
Understand the objectives, policies and organisation of the management of urban and rural green spaces, both public and private. Gain insight into how local planting, heritage and charity organisations manage green space land.
Crop Production
Develop your practical skills and knowledge of producing crops to a commercial standard. Study the principles of crop scheduling, growth manipulation and crop management.
Land Use Ecology
Explore land uses such as farming and forestry, the productivity of which is determined by the presence and products of ecological processes and the impacts of humans upon them.
FdSc Horticulture: Garden Design pathway
Soft Landscape Design
Develop knowledge of the range of ornamental plants, and devise planting plans to cover a variety of soft landscape types in both commercial and private contexts.
Horticultural Practices
Learn practical skills in relation to fruit, vegetable and flower production, by both organic and inorganic methods.
Horticultural Employability
Undertake a short industrial placement within the horticultural or landscape sector. The module is complemented by a series of external speakers from industry, giving insight into both career and business opportunities. You'll also develop your own professional online media profile.
Applied Design
Develop competency in advanced design concepts. Look at spatial analysis, organic form, and deconstruction. Also, learn the communication of design solutions over a range of site scales and client briefs.
CAD Professional Practice
Develop a range of CAD-based technology skills in various commercially available applications. Learn to produce 2D and 3D garden design drawings to a professional standard. Produce designs suitable for private garden and commercial-scale landscapes.
Experimental Design and Analysis
This module will introduce you to research methodology, hypothesis testing, statistical analysis and data presentation.
Further information on what you'll study
This course can provide progression onto the one-year BSc (Hons) Horticulture (final year top-up) degree.
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How you’re taught
You will be taught through a variety of methods including group seminars, lectures and practical sessions.
Please note that field trip locations may vary and are subject to availability and change.
Contact hours
- Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (26%), independent study (74%)
- Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (25%), independent study (70%), placements (5%).
A placement year may be taken between year 1 and year 2 of study.
How you’re assessed
- Year 1 coursework (67%), written exam (33%)
- Year 2 coursework (83%), written exam (17%)
Careers and employability
Your career development
Graduates of this course go on to a wide range of careers including:
- technologist
- landscape management
- garden design
- self-employed roles
- horticultural therapist
- historic landscape management
- green space adviser
- agronomist.
Excellent placement opportunities
The course includes an optional sandwich year placement between Year One and Year Two, or during Year Two. You can develop their skills and experience in a working environment which is highly valued by future employers.
Recent students have taken paid placements in
- garden centres and nurseries
- landscape contractors
- organisations such as the National Trust
- crop production growers and agronomic research organisations, both private and public.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Campus and facilities
Nottingham Trent University's Brackenhurst Campus has been delivering high standards of horticultural education since 1955 and offers a friendly study environment with excellent specialist facilities set in 200 hectares of parkland.
New facilities include teaching, laboratory, design and CAD studios, state-of-the-art glasshouses, covered practical areas, and a historic walled garden.
Other facilities include:
- teaching, laboratory, design and Computer Aided Design studios
- ultra-modern glasshouses, covered practical areas
- a historic and enclosed garden.
Brackenhurst Campus has recently featured in national and international press coverage and horticulture-related TV productions.
Green Flag status
Brackenhurst Campus has been awarded Green Flag status, a national award recognising green spaces throughout the country. We received the award along with other notable green spaces such as Kensington Gardens, Regent's Park and St James's Park.
Entry requirements
- 48 UCAS Tariff points from two qualifications.
- GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Other qualifications and experience
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
- 48 UCAS Tariff points from two qualifications.
- GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Please note this course is not open to students requiring a Tier 4 visa.
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)
You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
Additional costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
Non-residential UK day excursions are included in the tuition fee. You will be charged a maximum of 20% of the price per student cost for any compulsory residential trips or courses in the UK, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and entrance fees where applicable. For example, a typical 5-day UK residential field trip cost would be approx. £500 per student, and we would ask for a £100 contribution from students. You will be charged a maximum of 30% of the price per student cost for any compulsory overseas residential courses, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and associated trip fees where applicable. For example, a typical 6-day residential overseas field trip cost would be approx. £600 per student, and we would ask for a £180 contribution from students. Other non-compulsory field trip opportunities, in the UK and abroad, may also be offered, and these will be charged at 80% cost to students. A valid passport and any associated visas will also be required for field trips outside of the UK.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Other costs
All students will also be expected to provide their own steel toe-capped safety boots and working overalls.
Tuition fees for September 2023 entry
Mode of study | International tuition fee |
Full-time | £15,600 |
Full-time with placement | £15,600 + £1,385 (placement year) |
Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your undergraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Additional costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
Non-residential UK day excursions are included in the tuition fee. You will be charged a maximum of 20% of the price per student cost for any compulsory residential trips or courses in the UK, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and entrance fees where applicable. For example, a typical 5-day UK residential field trip cost would be approx. £500 per student, and we would ask for a £100 contribution from students. You will be charged a maximum of 30% of the price per student cost for any compulsory overseas residential courses, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and associated trip fees where applicable. For example, a typical 6-day residential overseas field trip cost would be approx. £600 per student, and we would ask for a £180 contribution from students. Other non-compulsory field trip opportunities, in the UK and abroad, may also be offered, and these will be charged at 80% cost to students. A valid passport and any associated visas will also be required for field trips outside of the UK.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Other costs
All students will also be expected to provide their own steel toe-capped safety boots and working overalls.
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can.
To apply for the full-time and sandwich routes of this course just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
To apply for the part-time route, please apply directly to NTU via our applicant portal.
Writing your application and personal statement
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You’ve got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
Keeping up-to-date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.
Please note this course is not open to students requiring a Tier 4 visa.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Advice on writing a good personal statement
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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