RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture – (Evening) – New Syllabus starting September 2022

From this course, you will gain a range of horticultural knowledge relevant to employment in various roles in the horticultural sector. The qualification also supports progression to level 3 courses in horticulture or entry onto various horticultural training programmes. Please note that whilst there are no formal prerequisites for entry to the RHS Level 3 qualification it is strongly recommended that students have studied the content covered by the Level 2 Certificate.

Please note that the Level 3 RHS courses are in the process of being updated and will be replaced by September 2023.

UNIT 1

Plant Science 1: provides underpinning knowledge of the plant, its structure, and function.

1. Scientific and common plant names 
2. Lifecycle adaptations 
3. External parts of the plant 
4. Internal plant structures 
5. Pollination and fertilisation 
6. Photosynthesis and respiration 
7. Movement of water through the plant

Plant Health: provides underpinning knowledge and understanding of the effect of a range of factors on plant health.

1. Environmental conditions 
2. Plant nutrition and plant health 
3. Impact of competition on plant health 
4. Pests and pathogens 
5. Biosecurity and plant passports 
6. Maintaining plant health

Plant Nutrition:  provides horticultural knowledge of plant nutrition and growing media.

1. Soil types and profiles 
2. Role of nutrients 
3. Soil-based nutrition 
4. pH and nutrient availability 
5. Bulk constituents for growing media

Plant Specification: provides horticultural knowledge to make recommendations for planting based on matching plant needs and site requirements.

1. Site-based criteria 
2. Plant-based criteria 
3. Plant specifications 
4. Receiving plant material on site 
5. Planting and post-planting care 
6. Maintaining new plantings

UNIT 2

Plant Science II: provides an understanding of the range and role of plant adaptations.

1. Leaf adaptations
2. Stem adaptations
3. Root adaptations
4. Flower adaptations
5. Seed adaptations
6. Growth habit adaptations

Planting Styles: provides horticultural knowledge of the factors involved in creating a wide range of different horticultural plantings.

1. Historical contexts
2. Formal planting
3. Informal planting
4. Plant associations
5. Plant uses
6. Edible landscapes
7. Short-term plantings

Horticulture and Society: allows learners to develop their knowledge and understanding of horticulture’s contribution to society, including social, environmental, and economic.

1. Wellbeing
2. Environment
3. Economy
4. Community

Biodiversity: provides an applied knowledge of the roles of plants in creating habitats to encourage biodiversity.

1. Plants and biodiversity
2. Impact of climate change
3. Creating habitats
4. Citizen science and species surveys
5. Biodiversity Action Plans

The RHS has updated its Level 2 Qualifications in line with Ofqual regulations and from September 2022 BCA will only be offering these new courses. Full details of the course contents are now available on the RHS website.

Learn more at: www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/pdf/qualifications/level-2/level-2-cert-in-the-principles-of-horticulture

To read the BCA Booking Terms & Conditions for RHS courses, please click here.

The new RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture will continue to be wholly assessed externally by RHS Qualifications in a formal examination format. Each unit will be assessed by a separate written examination covering all learning outcomes specified in the unit. Examinations must be taken at BCA and will be conducted in accordance with the RHS Regulations for the Conduct of Examinations. Examinations will be offered twice a year in February and June.

Exam Dates for 2022-2023 courses are Monday 13th February 2023 for Unit 1 and Tuesday 27 June 2023 for Unit 2.

All resits will be at an additional cost.

The Royal Horticultural Society.