Horticulture

Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) Horticulture

Get extensive experience through hands-on learning while discovering the science behind plants and their importance to our planet.

Course options

• 3 years full-time
• 4 years with foundation year
• 6-8 years part-time

Key facts

• STUDY OPTIONS: 3 years
• START DATES: September
• LOCATION: Writtle
• ENTRY: UCAS code: D410
• FEES:
  • £9,535 UK students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)
  • £16,700 International students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

Teaching and assessment

Year 1

• Graduate, Professional Skills (15 credits)
• Principles of Sustainable Development (15 credits)
• Landscape Principles and Practice (30 credits)
• Biological Processes (15 credits)
• Climate Soils and Land Use (15 credits)
• Plant Propagation, Growth and Production (30 credits)
• Into ARU

Year 2

• Academic and Professional Development (30 credits)
• Political and Economic Contexts (15 credits)
• Environmental Management (15 credits)
• Plant Physiology (15 credits)
• Fresh Produce Production (15 credits)
• Arboriculture (15 credits) *
• Plants in Urban Environments (15 credits) *
• International Value Chain A (30 credits) *
• International Value Chain B (30 credits) *
• International Value Chain C (15 credits) *

Year 3

• Dissertation (30 credits)
• Natural Resource Management (15 credits)
• Community Horticulture (15 credits)
• Contemporary Urban Landscapes (15 credits)
• Crop Management and Technologies (15 credits)
• Global Trends in Production (15 credits)
• International Trade and Markets (15 credits)

Facilities

• Varied formal gardens with extensive plant collections
• The Postharvest Unit, which undertakes research and trials with commercial companies
• New state-of-the-art Superlab facilities on our Lordship campus
• Research and tropical glasshouses
• Our 150-hectare campus with its mixed working farm, which is home to crop fields, sheep, pigs and cattle

Careers

• Local authority parks officers
• Education officers with the Royal Horticultural Society and local authorities
• Technical officers in research establishments
• Field trial officers
• Journalists
• Self-employed landscape gardeners

Entry requirements

• 96 UCAS Tariff points
• 4 GCSEs at grade C, or grade 4, or above, including English, Maths and Science
• If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.0 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University

Fees and paying for university

• Tuition fees and student loans for UK students (2025/26): £9,535 UK students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)
• Tuition fees for international students (2025/26): £16,700 International students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)
• Part-time fee notes: If you choose to study this course part-time, the fee will be pro-rata according to the number of credits you study in each academic year. Fees may be subject to an annual increase.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This horticulture degree program provides extensive hands-on learning experiences, emphasizing the scientific principles behind plants and their importance to our planet. By studying this program, students will delve into the impact of horticulture and plants, accessing an extensive plant collection on campus, participating in excursions to parks and gardens, and gaining experience in commercial trial work. Furthermore, students are encouraged to undertake a summer placement during the course to enhance their practical skills and knowledge.

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Outline:

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Year 1

• Graduate, Professional Skills
• Principles of Sustainable Development
• Landscape Principles and Practice
• Biological Processes
• Climate Soils and Land Use
• Plant Propagation, Growth and Production

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Year 2

• Academic and Professional Development
• Political and Economic Contexts
• Environmental Management
• Plant Physiology
• Fresh Produce Production
• One optional module (students can choose from: Arboriculture, Plants in Urban Environments, International Value Chain A, International Value Chain B, International Value Chain C)

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Year 3

• Dissertation
• Natural Resource Management
• Community Horticulture
• Contemporary Urban Landscapes
• Crop Management and Technologies
• Global Trends in Production
• International Trade and Markets

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Assessment:

Students' progress is assessed using various methods, including case study projects, laboratory reports, essays, technical reports, examinations (both multiple choice and essay questions), presentations (both individually and in small groups), practical assessments, debates, seminars, and the final dissertation.

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Teaching:

The program utilizes a combination of face-to-face campus teaching and online learning systems. The number of contact hours varies depending on the course, and students can reach out for further information.

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Careers:

Graduates of this horticulture program have a high employment rate within six months of graduating. They pursue diverse roles, such as local authority parks officers, education officers with the Royal Horticultural Society and local authorities, technical officers in research establishments, field trial officers, journalists, and self-employed landscape gardeners. The program's strong industry connections facilitate summer placement opportunities, allowing students to develop practical knowledge and employer-valued skills like communication and teamwork.

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Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

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UK students starting 2024/25 (full-time, per year)

• £9,250

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International students starting 2024/25 (full-time, per year)

• £13,900

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Additional course and living costs

• Safety wellingtons or safety boots (both steel toecaps)
• Hi-viz tabard
• Boiler suit/overalls (recommended)
• White lab coat
• Hand lens (recommended)
• Secateurs
• Gardening gloves (recommended)
• Scientific calculator
• Digital camera
• Laptop/device
• Pens and pencils
• Notebook or paper for note-taking
• Folders

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Living at university

• Accommodation
• Bills
• Internet, mobile phone and calls
• Travel
• Food and drink
• Socialising and going out
• Study materials

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Paying for uni: bursaries, sponsorship and working

• ARU scholarships and bursaries
• ARU Temps (campus employment bureau)