Foundation Degree in Horticulture
"I knew I wanted to study horticulture at Bicton as soon as I entered through the grand archway and saw the long avenue of monkey puzzle trees "
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UCAS Institution Code:P60
UCAS Programme Code:D417
Duration: 2 YEARS FT / 3 YEARS PT
(PT course available up to 5 years in duration)
With a foundation degree in Horticulture you could...
…progress to the third year of the BSc (Hons) Applied Biosciences (Plant Sciences) degree at the University of Plymouth…
…or become a plant curator, a landscape designer, a commercial or amenity horticultural manager, or work for a nursery, garden centre, national park, botanical garden or arboretum.
The historic gardens, parklands and arboretum at Bicton College provide a picturesque, rich and highly effective resource for studying horticulture and plant science. Within this beautiful setting, you will examine a wide diversity of plants with the overlying theme of plant collections. Bicton College has presided over the careful development of its landscape and plant collections over two centuries and has enjoyed established connections with horticulturists and plant scientists over many years.
Facilities
- English Heritage Grade 1 listed landscape
- Formal gardens and Arboretum created in the 1820s
- Walled kitchen gardens; 1Ha and 0.5Ha
- Historic parkland; 25Ha
- Glasshouses; 100m2 heated for tropical and house plant species; 200m2 unheated glass for propagation. 100m2 of poly tunnel
- Orchards; 2Ha of mature fruit orchards
- Alder Grove; wet woodland area including wildlife pond
Find out more about our facilites and industry links.
Programme Aims
This programme has a particularly strong emphasis on plant science and living plant collections. It has been designed to fulfil your ambition to work in gardens, build your business and management skills in these areas of employment and furthermore can be used as a route into year two or three of related degree programmes.
Entry Requirements
120 points are required in total, which equate to one of the following:
- Two A levesl at grade C or above, or equivalent combination of two grades
- MPP grade profile for BTEC National Diploma
- MP grade profile for BTEC National Certificate
- Students with experience will be assessed on merit
- For students over 21, horticultural experience (professional or amateur), demonstrated academic ability and a genuine interest in plant science and working with plants must be shown.
Course Structure
This programme contains a mixture of theoretical and practical sessions, including work experience.
What you will study
Year 1
Compulsory Modules- Plant Propagation
- Plant Identification and Classification
- Biological Concepts
- Soils and Plant Science
- Landscape Design and Construction
- Professional Development (including ITC)
- Business Foundations
- Work-based Learning (including work placement)
Compulsory Modules- Plant Identification and Use
- Plant Reproduction and Development
- Genetics and Breeding
- Horticultural Science
- Major Integrated Assignment
- Landscape and Management Technology
- Heritage Gardens and Plant Collections
- Business Operations
Assessment
Your progress will be monitored through written assignments, presentations, group work, practical assessments and exams. A major integrated assignment and a minimum six week professional practice placement must be completed as part of the course.
This course will be awarded by the University of Plymouth.
Progression
Successful students can progress straight to the third year of the BSc (Hons) Applied Biosciences (Plant Sciences) degree course at the University of Plymouth.
Other progression routes include:- the third year of the Horticulture Honours Degree at either Duchy College (Cornwall) or Writtle College (Essex)
- the second year of the Horticulture, Landscape Design or Plant Science course at selected other universities
University of Plymouth Colleges Faculty
The University of Plymouth Colleges Faculty (UPC) is a partnership between the University of Plymouth and over 20 partner institutions, including Bicton College. It is nationally recognised as one of the largest, longest established and best-developed partner college networks in the country and brings university-level education to over 10,000 students across the South West peninsula and the Channel Islands.
All of the higher education courses offered at Bicton College are validated by the University of Plymouth. This means when you graduate you will achieve a University of Plymouth award.
Every UPC foundation degree has a built-in progression route to an honours degree. These are often one-year ‘top-up’ courses available at the University of Plymouth, or in some cases, a partner college or another university.
In terms of academic study, all UPC students have the same rights and status as other University of Plymouth students. In addition, you will be able to benefit from the services that your college can provide – as well as the extra support and resources on offer at the University’s campus.
All UPC students are entitled to use the University’s library, access electronic resources and learning support materials through the web-based student portal, become a member of the University of Plymouth Students’ Union (UPSU) and through your college, gain assistance from the University’s support and advice resources (such as its careers’ service, student funding team, international students’ advisory service and the disability assist scheme).
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth
Devon
PL4 8AA
Tel: 01752 585858 (course information)
Tel: 01752 600600 (all other enquiries)
Fax: 01752 588050
Email: prospectus@plymouth.ac.uk
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APPLY TODAY
For a full-time application apply to UCAS direct at www.ucas.ac.uk or
Write to:UCAS
PO Box 28
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL50 3SA
To study part-time apply directly to Bicton College.