As a specialist, high quality, land-based college, we offer a huge range of courses to suit the needs of many different students. Graded at our last inspection as Outstanding, we pride ourselves on making all our students feel welcome and secure in what is a fantastic learning environment. We are very proud of what we do at Hadlow College and we are also the only college in Kent to be both Ofsted ‘outstanding’ and an LSIS Beacon provider.
Full Time Courses
This highly practical course is an ideal starting point for those students who have few formal qualifications and want to make a career in horticulture. You will be introduced to plants, learn how to identify a number of them and be shown the correct way to care for them. As part of the course you will be expected to grow plants from seed, take cuttings and look after them whilst they develop. Learn more…
Entry Requirements:
Minimum of 2 GCSEs at D – E / 3 – 2 Grade or equivalent (Entry level 3)
Introducing students to working with plants and in landscape gardening. This course provides a useful background to the horticultural industry and demonstrates the variety of different career paths that exist. You will benefit from a range of theory and practical lessons in, for example, hard landscaping, planting and plant protection. You will gain an understanding of the importance of amenity horticulture and be qualified to help in the production and maintenance of plants in nurseries and gardens. Learn more…
Entry Requirements:
Minimum of 4 GCSEs C – D / 4 – 3 Grade or equivalent (Level 1 Diploma), which must include GCSE in English OR maths A – D / 9 – 3 Grade or equivalent.
Establishing an all-round understanding of horticultural principles and practices, this course is ideal for students who wish to change career or, after completion of the course, enter higher education. You will benefit from comprehensive theoretical and practical training in horticulture. This will provide you with practical skills, an in-depth knowledge of plants, soils, landscaping and design. Learn more…
Entry Requirements:
180 Credit Diploma
Minimum of 5 GCSEs grades A*- C / 9 – 4 or equivalent (Level 2 Diploma at Merit), which must include GCSEs in English AND maths A*- C / 9 – 4 Grade
90 Credit Diploma
Minimum of 4 GCSEs A*- C / 9 – 4 Grade or equivalent (Level 2 Diploma at Merit), which must include GCSE in English OR maths A*- C / 9 – 4 Grade
– Progression route: 180 Credit Diploma level 3
Undergraduate Horticulture Courses
Encompassing a wide variety of activities – including practical work – that crosses the divide between art and science, graduates address the core issues involved in the design and implementation of gardens. Learn more…
Entry Requirements:
48 UCAS points made up from A levels, preferably one in a Science based subject, or a relevant Level 3 vocational qualification. All applicants should also have a GCSE grade C or above in English, Maths and Science.
Additional Experience:
Applications from mature students without the standard entry qualifications, or who are working in the industry, are warmly welcomed. Applicants without a relevant art qualification will be required to produce a portfolio of life drawings.
Aimed at students who wish to gain a degree qualification in horticulture, this programme gives you the opportunity to specialise in either nursery production, fruit production, medicinal plant production or retail.
Following the production route will allow you to develop skills in propagation, growing on, harvest and post harvest care for a range of crops from ornamentals for the garden centre trade through to cut flowers, medicinal crops and fruit. Other aspects include machinery, soil science and common pests and diseases. Learn more…
Entry Requirements:
48 UCAS points made up from A levels, preferably one in Science based subject, or a relevant Level 3 vocational qualification. All applicants should also have a GCSE grade C or above in English, maths and science.
Additional Experience:
Life experiences are taken into account when considering applications.
Involving the study of creative arts in combination with natural science, graduates are well equipped to take up positions as garden designers and landscape consultants. You will be encouraged to visit a range of gardens, parks and landscapes throughout the UK and Europe to develop your design skills and gain a further understanding of garden planning. New topics and interests will be constantly covered so as to stretch and stimulate. Learn more…
Entry Requirements:
- 96 UCAS points made up from A’ Levels, preferably one in a science-based subject. These points should have been made up over two years of studying at Level 3, or
- A minimum of a Merit grade from a relevant vocational Level 3 Extended Diploma.
All applicants should have GCSE Grade C or above in English and maths and preferably science. Â In addition, applicants will either need a Level 3 qualification in Art, or be able to demonstrate an artistic portfolio at interview.
Additional Experience:
Applications from mature students without the standard entry qualifications, or who are working in the industry, are welcomed.
Offering an opportunity for students to specialise in either nursery production, medicinal crop production, fruit production or retail nursery, this degree level programme provides a technical understanding and solid scientific foundations. You will learn about horticultural chemistry, plant physiology and chemical analysis.
Throughout the programme you will be assessed by assignments, practical skills, presentations and examinations so that when you graduate you have the right vocational skills to succeed. Learn more…
Entry Requirements:
- 96 UCAS points made up from A’ Levels, preferably one in a science-based subject. These points should have been made up over two years of studying at Level 3, or
- A minimum of a Merit grade from a relevant vocational Level 3 Extended Diploma.
All applicants should have GCSE Grade C or above in English and maths and preferably science. .
Additional Experience:
Life experiences are taken into account when considering applications
Part Time Courses
This ongoing seasonally-based programme offers one day introductory courses that will inspire you to take control of whatever your garden needs at any time of year.
Available as individual, seasonal or annually. Learn more…
During this one day introductory course, students will learn how to set up and monitor basic hydroponic equipment for the production of salad crops.
Suitable for the keen amateur or horticultural professionals with an interest in the area. Learn more…
This six week course for beginners will examine both common and more exotic threats to plant health. A fascinating and horrifying tour through the major pests, diseases and disorders that may be manifest at the bottom of your garden and how to control them. Learn more…Â
This six week course will introduce the science and practice of a range of plant propagation techniques. Skills in seed collection, storage and sowing as well as vegetative propagation will mean you may never have to spend money at the Garden Centre again! Learn more…
This six week course examines the History of Garden Design from the very first gardens through to the modern day. Fundamentally important periods covered include the Italian Renaissance, French Baroque, the English Landscape movement and Arts and Crafts. Suitable for beginners or those with an existing interest in the subject. Learn more…
A course for beginners, this 30-week program provides an introduction to the main principles and practices of Garden Design. An excellent starting point for those interested in pursuing further studies in the area, or leisure gardeners who would like to plan and implement their own small scale designs. Learn more…
Explore the wonderful world of computer aided design (CAD) with this hands-on practical course. Providing you with the skills to produce plans and surveys using current symbols and design systems, this course is offered either as one day a week for ten weeks, or an intensive week-long course. Aimed at Garden Designers who want to introduce the use of CAD into their portfolio, successful completion of the course is based on ongoing assessments throughout. Learn more…
This course should appeal to those keen amateurs who have completed the Level 2 course, professional gardeners or people looking for a career change at supervisory level.
Bring your waterproofs and steel-toe capped boots, this course builds on the skills and knowledge gained at Level 2 with a more in-depth approach to areas such as seed propagation, testing, adjusting soil types and a detailed view of weeds, pests and diseases.
There will be supporting theory sessions to this practical course and where relevant, trips will be undertaken to notable horticultural sites. Achievement of the Certificate is through ongoing practical assessment. Learn more…
This course should appeal to the keen gardener, someone looking for a career change or a professional gardener looking to improve their knowledge. Be prepared to get your hands dirty and remember your waterproofs – this course is an enjoyable year spent largely outdoors in our practical areas.
You will spend time learning the practical aspects of propagation, cutting and division, whilst undertaking plant identification of a wide range of species. In addition, you will spend time exploring how to care for plants and employ sustainable gardening practices such as composting and organic gardening.
Assessed by practical’s as well as short written tests, this course leads to a formal, nationally recognised qualification. Learn more…
This course should appeal to those keen amateurs who have completed the Level 2 course, professional gardeners or people looking for a career change.
Giving you a more in-depth scientific knowledge of gardening, surveying and design principles, as well as a holistic approach to landscaping, this course is mainly classroom based, building on the knowledge you gained at Level 2 and assessed with written examinations in February and June. It does however include opportunities for trips and practical work at key times during the year. Learn more…
This course should appeal to the keen gardener, someone looking for a career change or a professional gardener looking to improve their knowledge.
You will be introduced to the magical world of how plants grow, how to propagate and manage them, whilst understanding the science behind the miracle of events such as pollination, fertilisation, seed formation and germination.
There will also be some selected trips and demonstrations of practical work, so dust down your gardening gloves! Mainly theory and classroom based, there are written assessments in February and June which lead to a formal, nationally recognised qualification. Learn more…
This course should appeal to the keen gardener, someone looking for a career change or a professional gardener looking to improve their knowledge. You will explore the world of basic surveying and garden design principles, whilst learning about plant selection (including the world of Latin names) and the benefits of greenhouses and other protected environments.
You will also be invited to join some of our local trips and demonstrations of practical work… so get your wellies on standby! Mainly theory and classroom based, there are written assessments in February and June which lead to a formal, nationally recognised qualification. Learn more…
Discover different pruning techniques and learn the theory of winter fruit tree pruning with this practical, hands-on course. Suitable for both beginners and experienced students who wish to refresh their knowledge. Spend an enjoyable day with expert support in a commercial orchard. Learn more…
This course should appeal to those keen amateurs who have completed the Level 2 course, professional gardeners or those looking for a career change. The qualification builds on the knowledge covered in the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation and Development and offers a more detailed, scientific understanding of the principles of plant physiology and pathology. This is a primarily classroom based course, assessed by written examination, but there is the opportunity for practical work at key times during the year. Learn more…
Get creative in the world of garden design. Drawing skills are not required, but an idea or a passion to create something at home in your own space is useful. At the end of this course, you should be able to plan or create a beautiful space and apply the theories of hard and soft landscaping. Learn more…