Skip to content

Horticulture (final year top-up) BSc (Hons)

Start date

  • Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
  • UCAS Code(s): D402
  • Start Date(s): September 2024
  • Duration: One year full-time
  • Study Mode(s): Full-time
  • Campus: Brackenhurst Campus
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information
Information for 2024

Introduction:

This course develops your academic and applied horticultural skills to degree level. You’ll deepen your knowledge of plant and crop development, as well as looking at green-space management. Your learning will include the modern production methods and management of plant crops, agronomy, and post-harvest issues. You’ll explore the current issue of international food security, developing the scientific and technical knowledge, skills and experience to help tackle this challenge.

  • Study at NTU's rural Brackenhurst Campus. You'll develop your skills in our specialist facilities including the glasshouse complex, a covered hard landscape unit, workshops, Computer Aided Design (CAD) studio, general drawing studio and historic gardens.
  • Gain fieldwork experience to cultivate your skills. Visit sites and gardens of particular interest in the UK and Europe on study trips.
  • We're ranked 3rd in the UK for the number of undergraduate students on sandwich courses studying agriculture, food and related studies (HESA, 2021/22).
  • We're in the top 15 in the UK for Agriculture and Forestry courses (Complete University Guide 2024).

What you’ll study

This course explores both regional and international green spaces. You'll look at the development of spaces for specific communities, and evaluate and devise strategies for their management. You'll also examine the role of social, economic and cultural influences on the development of designed landscapes. This includes looking at the creation and management of future sustainable landscapes.

Keystone Project

Select an original project of your choice, set within your chosen subject area, that identifies a suitable issue or topic of professional interest. With the aid of a nominated supervisor the Keystone Project is aimed at encouraging connection and engagement with real-world issues and enterprises.

International Landscape Strategies

Develop your critical understanding of the philosophy for aesthetics and style of international designed landscapes and your appreciation of the chronology of such landscapes and gardens. Create solutions for unique environments that reflect the needs of the individual. group or community. You will also devise changes that would encourage positive experiences of the developed environment. This involves reflection on the impact design elements have on the human psyche.

Project Management

You will conduct and present a 'real' integrated management project for the horticultural industry or research sector. This will help develop your professional skills for critically reviewing project management processes and evaluating the effectiveness for achieving project outcomes. Your work will be carried out as part of a project team.

Agronomy

Develop an understanding of theoretical knowledge and field based skills in plant and crop production for indoor and outdoor crops. This module includes a mixture of lab and agronomy based fieldwork, that explores the production aspects of crops in addition to husbandry and post-harvest issues of food and plant production.

Sustainable Management of the Agricultural Environment

Investigate agricultural resources and environments and find solutions to global challenges such as soil degradation.

Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves

Our current students and recent graduates tell you all about their time at NTU and what they've gone on to do next.

Student Profiles

Steff Sunley

Horticulture (final year top-up)

The facilities and resources at Brackenhurst are fantastic. The glasshouses, polytunnels and workshop facilities make it possible to grow plants, run research trials, and carry out construction projects all year round.

Lily Southern

Horticulture (final year top-up)

The lecturers are very understanding and really help make the course as interesting and practical as possible. The facilities on campus are also well kitted out and allow many possibilities of things to experiment with and learn about.

Video Gallery

Tim tells us about life as a student studying BSc (Hons) Horticulture (top-up) at Nottingham Trent University. You can also watch our facility tour video to get an insight into the equipment you'll use and what you'll study on the course.
Video Icon
 

How you’re taught

You'll learn from our expert teaching staff who have substantial industry experience and specialist areas of interest within the landscape and horticulture sectors through a combination of practical sessions, seminars and lectures. You'll also benefit from our strong links with industry through lectures from visiting guest professionals and inspiring workshops.

Please note that field trip locations may vary and are subject to availability and change.

Contact hours

Lectures/ seminars/ workshops (21%), independent study (79%)

Staff Profiles

Mark Oxenbury - Senior Lecturer

School of Animal Rural & Environmental Sciences

Mark Oxenbury is the Senior Lecturer and Programme leader and teaches on the Soft Landscape, Construction, Design Project, Horticultural Practices, Dissertation/Keystone Project, Glasshouse Practices, Turf Production and Maintenance, Estate Skills

David Jukes - Senior Lecturer

School of Animal Rural & Environmental Sciences

Dave Jukes is a member of the NTU Pedagogy Research Group. His main research interest is in higher education pedagogy and his main interest is in the use of technology

Anne Coules - Senior Lecturer

School of Animal Rural & Environmental Sciences

Dr Coules is responsible for delivering plant and environmental science modules and conducts research in the plant sciences sector.

How you’re assessed

Coursework (67%), written exam (33%)

Careers and employability

Your future career

This broad-based degree will open up a wide range of career opportunities. Graduates find employment in professional consultancies, government bodies and local authorities.

Placement opportunities

This course includes an optional year-long placement in industry. We have links with a range of horticultural and agricultural supply chains, crop and ornamental growers, government agencies, and landscapers and designers.

Placements are an excellent opportunity to both explore a potential career avenue and to build on experience, and it can lead to a Placement Diploma in Industrial Studies.

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

Where will I study?

Our Brackenhurst Campus has been delivering high standards of horticultural education since 1955. It offers a friendly study environment with excellent specialist facilities set in 200 hectares of picturesque parkland 14 miles north-east of Nottingham city centre and is easily accessible by public transport.

You will have access to loads of on-site facilities including Careers Services, computer suites, cafe and bar, while the extensive facilities of our City Campus and Clifton Campus are also within easy reach.

Specialist Horticulture facilities include:

  • teaching, laboratory, design and Computer Aided Design (CAD) studios
  • modern glasshouses
  • covered practical areas
  • historic and enclosed gardens.

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

What are we looking for?

  • FdSc Horticulture degree; or
  • HND in a relevant subject.

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

What are we looking for?

  • FdSc Horticulture degree; or
  • HND in a relevant subject.

International qualifications

We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:

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:

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:

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.

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 2024 entry

Mode of study

International tuition fee

Full-time

£17,150

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.

More from School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences