Horticulture (0078)

Last Updated: 02 Oct 2025
0078-02 is closed for registrations.  0078-03 will close for registrations on 31 August 2026.  Alternative qualifications are available under 0174 and 8717.

Gain the knowledge and skills you need to work with plants - from maintaining turf as a groundskeeper, to caring for plants as a gardener, to designing gardens and parks as a landscape artist.

You'll learn at a College or with a training provider and gain practical experience that will give you an edge in the world of work.
These qualifications are for anyone interested in a horticultural career such as a gardener, landscaper or groundsman. You may be just starting out, or taking a break from a job to get some valuable training.

You don't need any previous qualifications or experience to get started. At Level 2 you can be under 16. To take a Level 3 qualification you need to be 16 or over.
Available to deliver in the following:
  • England
  • Wales – please check QiW website for available funding
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?

Which level is right for me?

Level 2
You may be new to horticulture or have some knowledge and basic skills. You want to develop your skills, perhaps to start work as a garden centre worker or assistant groundskeeper or prepare for further training.

You'll get an introduction to important topics in horticulture - you might choose things like choosing, setting out and propagating plants or understanding plant science and soil science.

Level 3
You may have some experience in horticulture or have gained your Level 2 qualification. You want to develop the skills to be a more senior worker or manager working in gardening, landscaping or groundskeeping, or to prepare for higher-level training.

You'll gain in-depth insight into the techniques and science of horticulture. You might cover things like plant pests and diseases, creating plant displays and putting together a landscape design brief. You'll also gain plenty of practical experience in your choice of skills, from maintaining different types of sports turf to pruning shrubs and trees.

You'll learn with your training provider - maybe through practical sessions, group discussions or assignments.

You'll be assessed on assignments, one for each unit you complete.

Depending on the size of qualification you choose, you might also do work experience and gain practical skills on the job.

What Careers Can This Lead To?
A Certificate or Diploma in Horticulture is designed to help you find work in roles such as:
  • Groundsman/greenkeeper
  • Gardener
  • Garden centre worker
  • Manager
  • Landscape designer

Once you've completed the Level 2 qualification you can move on to Level 3. If you have a current job you might be interested in a work-based qualification: Level 2 or 3 qualifications in Work-based Horticulture.

What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?

You'll deliver these qualifications in a classroom environment and provide access to practical experience.

You'll assess learners on assignments.

You'll need to provide your learners with a suitable learning environment and the resources they need to complete the practical and theoretical aspects of the qualification. You will need qualified internal assessors.

At Level 3 you will need to provide access to work experience.

To find all the resource requirements, download the course handbooks from the centre documents section.

Anyone can take these qualifications but you must make sure all learners can access the resources they need to complete them.

Level 2

Level 2 is ideal if you 're new to horticulture or have some knowledge and basic skills. You want to develop your skills, perhaps to start work as a garden centre worker or groundskeeper or prepare for further training.

For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.
What Careers Can This Lead To?
A Certificate or Diploma in Horticulture is designed to help you find work in roles such as:
  • Groundskeeper
  • Gardener
  • Garden centre worker

Once you've completed the Level 2 qualification you can move on to Level 3. If you have a current job you might be interested in a work-based qualification: Level 2 or 3 qualifications in Work-based Horticulture.

Level 2 Horticulture (0078-02)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2024
Closed for registrations

Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture

  • Accreditation No: 500/8576/1 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 60 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 360 - 360 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 600 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £199.80 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 2 Certificate in Horticulture

  • Accreditation No: 500/8577/3 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 15 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 90 - 90 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 150 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £182.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 2 Extended Certificate in Horticulture

  • Accreditation No: 500/8582/7 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 30 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 180 - 180 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 300 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £172.50 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3

Level 3 is ideal if you have some experience in horticulture or have gained your Level 2 qualification. You want to develop the skills to be a more senior worker or manager working in gardening, landscaping or groundskeeping, or to prepare for higher-level training. For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.
What Careers Can This Lead To?
A Certificate or Diploma in Horticulture is designed to help you find work in roles such as: Head groundsman/greenkeeper Gardener Garden centre worker Manager Landscaper Once you've completed the Level 2 qualification you can move on to Level 3. If you have a current job you might be interested in a work-based qualification: Level 2 or 3 qualifications in Work-based Horticulture. Learners may progress to Higher Education as these qualifications have UCAS points.
Level 3 Horticulture (0078-03)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture

  • Accreditation No: 500/8384/3 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 120 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 720 - 720 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 1200 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £255.50 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Horticulture

  • Accreditation No: 500/8385/5 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 60 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 360 - 360 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 600 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £270.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture

  • Accreditation No: 500/8401/X This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 180 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 1080 - 1080 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 1800 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £270.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3 Certificate in Horticulture

  • Accreditation No: 500/8402/1 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 30 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 180 - 180 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 300 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £270.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3 90-Credit Diploma in Horticulture

  • Accreditation No: 600/6115/7 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 90 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 540 - 540 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 900 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £227.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

0078 Level 2

Assessment materials

Centre documents

0078 Level 3

Assessment materials

Centre documents

Assessment materials

Centre documents

Purpose and Recognition

16-19

Purpose

Recognition

19 Plus

Purpose

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Browse some of our related qualifications:

> (7573) Practical Horticulture Skills

> (0174) Technicals in Horticulture and Forestry & Arboriculture

> (0065) Work-based Horticulture