BCA has built a reputation for providing quality teaching and learning in Horticulture. These industries provide a wide diversity of employment opportunities and career pathways.
BCA has developed extensive links with the many industries using land as a resource for business activities, recreation, leisure and horticulture. As the demand for qualified and skilled people within these industries continues to increase, BCA continues to strengthen these areas of its work. A wide range of programmes are offered that provide progression and career enhancement within this interesting and challenging environment.
The programmes at BCA are underpinned by excellent resources which provide a ‘green classroom’ for teaching and learning.
Resources include:
• 400 acres of working estate containing woodland, parkland, conservation areas and landscaped grounds and gardens, all embellished with features of historic landscape interest
• All weather sports facilities comprising of a sports and fitness centre and sports fields
• Nursery units comprising of glasshouses, poly-tunnels and propagation facilities
• Garden design studio
Click here to view the facilities.
Courses available: Click on a course to find out more
Level 1 Diploma in Land-based Studies (Horticulture)
Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture
Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture
Level 2 Diploma in Sports and Amenity Turf Maintenance
Level 1 Diploma in Land-based Studies (Horticulture) (1 year)
The aim of this qualification is to provide a sound knowledge and skills base which will allow progression to further learning or qualifications, or into employment opportunities.
Programme content
- Safe and effective working practice in the land-based Industries
- Develop performance in the land-based industries
- Contribute to the establishment of plants
- Contribute to the maintenance of plants
- Contribute to the propagation of plants
- Introduction to wildlife and conservation
- Contribute to the construction and maintenance of structures and surfaces
Entry requirements
4 GCSEs at Grade E and above, or an Entry Certificate.
Plus a satisfactory school reference and successful completion of an Inital Assessment.
Assessment method
Safe and effective working practice in the land-based Industries is assessed by an online test. All other modules are assessed by assignments.
Equipment needed
All students will require safety boots, folders, gloves and a warm weatherproof jacket.
Progression
Successful students who have completed this course at a Merit Level and achieved a Functional Skills qualification may progress onto the Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture.
Employment opportunities
The Level 1 Diploma in Land-based Studies can give you the basic skills and knowledge you need to train in land-based occupations, such as a gardener or landscaper.
Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture (1 year)
This course builds on the Level 1 Diploma to enhance your basic knowledge and practical skills to enable you to become a practising gardener, nursery worker or landscaper. It is ideal for people who are interested in making a career out of this area.
Programme content
- Undertake work related experience in the land-based industries
- Establish and maintain plants outdoors
- Understand the basic principles of plant science
- Understand the basic principles of soil science
- Setting out from a plan
- Establish and maintain plants outdoors
- Introduction to plant nomenclature, terminology and identification
- Introduction to plant selection
- Construction landscape foundations and surface
- Introduction to land-based machinery
Entry requirements
4 GCSEs at Grade D and above (certain subjects maybe specified), or Level 1 Diploma, BTEC Introductory Certificate or NVQ Level 1 or equivalent.
Plus a satisfactory school reference and successful completion of an Inital Assessment.
Assessment method
All units are assessed by assignments.
Equipment needed
All students will require safety boots, folders, gloves and a warm weatherproof jacket.
Progression
Successful completion of this course at Merit Level will enable progression to the Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture.
Employment opportunities
Self-employment, landscape design, landscapers, garden centre workers and general gardeners.
Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture (2 years)
We offer two different Level 3 qualifications in Horticulture.
Both Level 3 Diplomas study the same level of content but the amount of work (and credits required) differs across the qualifications. These courses build on the Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture and give a greater depth and understanding to skills gained at Level 2. These courses will prepare learners for supervisory positions.
Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Horticulture
This course is run as part of the extended diploma and only requires 6 modules to be completed in one year.
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture
Upon successful completion of the Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma, students can choose to complete the second year, with a further 12 units.
Programme content
- Understand the principles of soil science
- Work related experience
- Manage plant propagation activities
- Identification, selection and use of ornamental plants
- Construct and maintain timber landscape features
- Understand historical influences on the development of gardens
- Construct and maintain decorative landscape features
- Identification, selection and use of ornamental plants
- Site surveying, levelling and setting out
- Tree and shrub pruning and maintenance
Entry requirements
4 GCSEs at Grade C or above, or Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture at Merit level.
Plus a satisfactory school reference and successful completion of an Inital Assessment.
Entrance for mature students will be dependent upon industry experience.
Assessment method
All units are assessed by assignments. 300 hours of work experience (8 weeks) must be completed alongside the main programme.
Equipment needed
All students will require safety boots, folders, gloves and a warm weatherproof jacket.
Progression
Students may progress onto Higher Education and university, or directly into the workplace.
Employment opportunities
Self employment, landscape design, garden centre workers and self employed gardeners.
Level 2 Diploma in Sports and Amenity Turf Maintenance
This course is designed to develop the basic knowledge
and practical skills to enable you to maintain sports
and amenity turf facilities. It opens careers into sports
and amenity industry, which enables learners to become
groundsmen and green keepers. You will be active in
maintaining BCA’s sports facilities.
Programme content
- Principles of plant science
- Principles of soil science
- Work related experience
- Land-based machinery
- Principles of sports and amenity turf
- Maintain winter and summer sports turf surfaces
- Participate in providing estate maintenance
