Horticulture / Horticulture: Garden Design FdSc drafted
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-07-27 | 2023-04-01 |
| 2023-10-01 | 2023-07-01 |
| 2024-01-05 | 2023-10-01 |
| 2024-04-01 | 2024-01-01 |
Program Overview
Introduction:
Explore the life of plants on these highly vocational and practical courses. Based on understanding and interpreting the landscape around us, they explore horticultural production and growing, along with the principles of plant and soil science. Horticulture is a diverse subject area that covers plant and soil science; commercial crop production; ornamental flower and plant growing; landscape and garden design; and green-space management.
In the final year you can choose to specialise with the Garden Design pathway.
You will have the opportunity to become proficient in surveying a site for development, and plotting data both by hand and using AutoCAD (Computer Aided Design).
Brackenhurst campus is home to an entrepreneurial cut-flower business called the Flower Pod, run by the Southwell Care Project and supported by student and staff volunteers.
100% student satisfaction for FdSc Horticulture (FT) (National Student Survey, 2022).
We're in the top 15 in the UK for Agriculture and Forestry courses (Complete University Guide 2023).
Program Outline
What you’ll study
Throughout the course you'll explore the topics of:
Year One
Year Two
Final year
Plants and Soil Science
Develop an understanding of the anatomy, morphology and physiology of plants and how they function in relation to their environment. Aspects include photosynthesis, respiration, and plant propagation. Learn the principles of soil science and identify and evaluate common pests, diseases and disorders.
Garden Design in Practice
This module introduces you to the basic design skills, knowledge and principles required for garden design. It also incorporates the principles of historic garden design and how they relate to design today.
Survey Planning and Construction
Develop topographical site surveying techniques using the latest recording technologies. Gain an introduction to the concept of hard landscaping, including basic bricklaying, block paving, fencing, and patio construction.
Horticultural Technology
Study the range of technologies that have application to the horticultural industry, including greenhouse systems, horticultural machinery, plant propagation technology, and total station (topographical) technology.
Plant and Botanical Knowledge
This module provides an introduction to applied botany, taxonomy and classification. Learn about the range and use of ornamental plants commonly available to the landscaping industry, and also look at ground preparation, planting and maintenance strategies.
This is a placement year for students on the three-year course.
FdSc Horticulture
Soft Landscape Design
Develop knowledge of the range of ornamental plants, and devise planting plans to cover a variety of soft landscape types in both commercial and private contexts.
Horticultural Practices
Learn practical skills in relation to fruit, vegetable and flower production, by both organic and inorganic methods.
Horticultural Employability
Undertake a short industrial placement within the horticultural or landscape sector. The module is complemented by a series of external speakers from industry, giving insight into both career and business opportunities. You’ll also develop your own professional online media profile.
Experimental Design and Analysis
This module will introduce you to research methodology, hypothesis testing, statistical analysis and data presentation
You'll also choose
two
optional modules:Green Space Management
Understand the objectives, policies and organisation of the management of urban and rural green spaces, both public and private. Gain insight into how local planting, heritage and charity organisations manage green space land.
Crop Production
Develop your practical skills and knowledge of producing crops to a commercial standard. Study the principles of crop scheduling, growth manipulation and crop management.
Land Use Ecology
Explore land uses such as farming and forestry, the productivity of which is determined by the presence and products of ecological processes and the impacts of humans upon them.
FdSc Horticulture: Garden Design pathway
Soft Landscape Design
Develop knowledge of the range of ornamental plants, and devise planting plans to cover a variety of soft landscape types in both commercial and private contexts.
Horticultural Practices
Learn practical skills in relation to fruit, vegetable and flower production, by both organic and inorganic methods.
Horticultural Employability
Undertake a short industrial placement within the horticultural or landscape sector. The module is complemented by a series of external speakers from industry, giving insight into both career and business opportunities. You'll also develop your own professional online media profile.
Applied Design
Develop competency in advanced design concepts. Look at spatial analysis, organic form, and deconstruction. Also, learn the communication of design solutions over a range of site scales and client briefs.
CAD Professional Practice
Develop a range of CAD-based technology skills in various commercially available applications. Learn to produce 2D and 3D garden design drawings to a professional standard. Produce designs suitable for private garden and commercial-scale landscapes.
Experimental Design and Analysis
This module will introduce you to research methodology, hypothesis testing, statistical analysis and data presentation.
Further information on what you'll study
This course can provide progression onto the one-year BSc (Hons) Horticulture (final year top-up) degree.
How you’re taught
You will be taught through a variety of methods including group seminars, lectures and practical sessions.
Please note that field trip locations may vary and are subject to availability and change.
Contact hours
A placement year may be taken between year 1 and year 2 of study.
Careers and employability
Your career development
Graduates of this course go on to a wide range of careers including:
Excellent placement opportunities
The course includes an optional sandwich year placement between Year One and Year Two, or during Year Two. You can develop their skills and experience in a working environment which is highly valued by future employers.
Recent students have taken paid placements in
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.