The aim of this two year course is to produce commercial gardeners and prospective Foundation Degree students who are equipped with the knowledge and practical skills required to take up posts as gardeners in prestigious gardens throughout the country. After further experience they may go on to become the next generation of Head Gardeners.

Part-time Mode
This course may also be undertaken via a part time mode. Students interested in undertaking the award through this mode of study should seek further guidance from the interviewing tutor.

The Course
The course content equates to 3 'A' Levels and runs for two academic years, including a minimum 400 hours industrial placement.

First year
(September – July) September to July is spent in College studying core and specialist modules which provide a broad background of knowledge.

Second year
November to July is spent in College studying a further range of modules and includes practical days to raise skills to industrial level prior to undertaking an industrial placement.

Industrial placement
Students continuing on to a second year to complete a National Diploma Award will undertake a 10 week industrial placement between July and November. Students return to college in November 2006. Assistance and guidance will be provided to students to find work experience opportunities and with preparation of CVs and interviews.

Course Content
There are seven core units and eleven practical units as follows:

Core Units

• Specialist Project Study (assessed via an Integrated Vocational Assignment)*
• Business Management (assessed via an Integrated Vocational Assignment)*
• Horticultural Skills and Plant Knowledge
• Principles of Plant and Soil Science
• Design Principles
• Machinery Operations
• Industry Experience

Specialist Units

• Plant Use and Knowledge
• Garden Design and Graphics
• Landscape Ecology**
• Heritage Gardening**
• Turf Production and Maintenance
• Production Techniques – outdoors
• Production Techniques – protected crops
• Organic Horticulture – commercial crops
• Plant Propagation**
• Pests & Diseases
• Arboriculture**

Assessment is through a range of written and practical assessments, set throughout the
course. *Prospective students should note that core business management and specialist project study are assessed externally through an integrated vocational assignment. **Second year units.

You will be assessed by carrying out a range of practical and written assignments and tests throughout the course. There will be no end of course examination.

Qualifications Gained
Success in this course leads to the nationally recognised award of Edexcel National Diploma in Horticulture. There will be the opportunity to take additional awards appropriate to your course of study, for which an additional certification fee will be charged.

Students may go on to undertake a Foundation Degree, subject to a successful interview.

Entry Requirements
You are welcome to visit the College to discuss and identify with a course tutor a study programme which will help towards your intended career. All students are assessed on an individual basis but the normal entry requirements are:

• BTEC First Diploma
• 4 GCSE passes at grade C, including one science subject or
• Intermediate Standard GNVQ or
• Relevant experience plus an Accreditation of Prior Learning and Experience Process (APL).

Venue
This course takes place at Capel Manor's main campus in Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield.

Facilities
Capel Manor is an 18th Century manor house set within 30 acres of estate, laid out in a wide range of gardening styles and provides the perfect setting for this course. Students undertake much of their practical work in the gardens where they learn many of the necessary practical skills. An excellent range of plants is also to hand and enables students to gain a good plant knowledge.

Fees
Unless stated otherwise, students aged 16-18 are exempt from tuition and registration fees =Interview Required

Study		Day	Start Date	Course Time	19+ Annual Tuition Fee	19+ Reg Fee	Length
Full-time			Sept	9am-4pm	£792*	£160	2 years
Part-time		Option	Sept	9am-4pm	£396	£160	Flexi

Please note that exam fees may be subject to change by the awarding bodies

Aditional Costs
Students will require steel toecap footwear, wet weather clothing, a pair of secateurs, writing materials, folders and a good plant book eg Readers Digest Book of Plants, drawing equipment (a basic drawing kit will cost approximately £30.00 - a more expensive kit and drawing board will cost up to £150.00). In addition students will be required to pay £10.00 at the beginning of the course towards drawing paper used in the design and hard landscape units.

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