Welcome to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), and thank you for requesting further information on the RHS level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Planting (RHS Level 3 Part 2). This course will combine supported self-study and a series of four taught study weekends at RBGE. This blended format means that you will be able to study at times that suit you while also having the opportunity to learn in our beautiful garden here in Edinburgh. RHS Level 3 Part 2 covers garden planning, construction and planting and is the second of two theory certificates that go together with a practical certificate to make the RHS Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture. The first theory certificate is RHS Level 3 Part 1 which covers botany, plant health and propagation and RBGE plan to offer this course starting in 2017. It is unlikely that we will offer the practical certificate which is required to be awarded the diploma. The RHS Level 3 Part 1 and Part 2 certificates are stand-alone qualifications so you don t need to have completed Part 1 before you do Part 2. Many people choose which part to take according to their interests or depending on what they intend to do after gaining the certificate. These certificates are ideal if you have a real passion for plants and gardens. We would generally recommend studying the RHS Level 2 Certificate in Horticulture before taking on this course, but it is not always necessary. Feel free to get in touch if you are unsure about the level of the course. RBGE is a fantastic place to be a student a world renowned centre for horticultural and botanical training and research. We have superb resources, the jewel in the crown being our living collections over 15,000 species of plants growing across our four Gardens; Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck and Logan. Perhaps even more important for our students though, is the expertise of our horticultural and botanical staff. The RHS Level 3 course offers students expert input and tuition from specialists in every branch of horticulture and botany. The opportunity to study in and behind the scenes of RBGE is an enjoyable and rewarding one for all of our students. This handbook introduces you to the RHS Level 3 Part 2 course. We hope it answers all your questions, but please don t hesitate to contact us via the details below if you have any further queries. RBGE Education Department education@rbge.org.uk 0131 248 2937 RBGE February 2015 2
Contents 1. Introduction to the course 4 2. Entry requirements 4 3. Course duration and course dates 5 4. Course structure and content 5 5. Course delivery 6 6. Course Tutors 7 7. Examinations 7 8. Education at RBGE 8 9. Practical horticulture courses and workshops at RBGE 8 10. Financial support 8 11. Course costs 8 12. Course application procedure 9 Application Form 9
1. Introduction to the course The RHS Level 3 Part 2 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Planting builds on the current RHS Level 2 certificate and delivers a broad-based understanding of garden design, construction and planting. If you are based in Scotland, it is equivalent to something between a higher and an advanced higher, or to an English A-Level. It provides students with a qualification that is recognised internationally by the horticulture industry. This broad base makes it ideal for those wishing to pursue a career in any branch of horticulture or garden design. It is also perfect for leisure gardeners who would like to expand their horticultural knowledge, and to have it formally assessed. It is an ideal precursor to relevant diploma and degree programmes here at RBGE. The award of the Certificate is based on written examinations that are externally set and marked by the RHS. The certificate is accredited by OFQUAL (The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) in England and Wales. On completion of the course, students can opt to take their studies further by joining RBGE s Higher National Certificate or Diploma in Horticulture with Plantsmanship. The Level 3 is comparable in level to some elements of the first year of the RBGE Diploma in Horticulture with Plantsmanship, or the larger BSc (Hons) degree in Horticulture with Plantsmanship offered by RBGE and the Scottish Rural College (SRUC) and awarded by the University of Glasgow. For more information on these courses please visit www.rbge.org.uk/education/professional-courses 2. Entry requirements Although the RHS Level 3 Part 2 Certificate does not require any prior qualifications the RHS Level 2 certificate is a valuable starting point. Fundamentally, however, all you need is an interest in the subject and a willingness to set aside time for home study and attending study weekends at RBGE. We are looking for keen, enthusiastic plants people of all ages, who would value the opportunity to develop their knowledge in a structured and supported learning environment and will contribute to the programme. Where there is competition for places we will accept those we feel would most benefit from attending the course. Currently RBGE does not have capacity to recruit student nationals from outside the European Economic Area. A full list of eligible countries is available here: https://www.gov.uk/eu-eea RBGE February 2015 4
3. Course duration & course dates The RHS Level 3 Part 2 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Planting is a one-year part-time course, leading to exams and the qualification. It runs as follows: Course Begins 29 th February 2016 Study Weekend 1: Surveying Sat 19 th and Sun 20 th March 2016 Study Day 1: Revision and Exam Techniques Sat 11 th June 2016 Unit 1 & 2 Exams Thurs 23 rd June 2016 Study Weekend 2: Landscaping Sat 10 th and Sun 11 th September 2016 Study Day 2: Winter Pruning/Exam Revision Sat 23 rd Jan 2017 Unit 3 & 4 Exams February 2017 (exact date TBC) 4. Course structure and content The RHS Level 3 Part 2 course is structured around the examinations set by the RHS, so the content is predominantly theory. It is a part of the wider Qualifications, Credit Framework (QCF), a system that is designed to allow you to study a huge range of subjects to tailor your learning. The course is organised into four units and the learning hours recommended by the RHS and the QCF credits for each unit are as shown below. Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Planting Learning QCF Hours Credits Unit 1 Understanding garden survey techniques and design principles 40 4 Unit 2 Understanding the selection and use of landscaping elements in the garden 40 4 Unit 3 Understanding the setting out and construction of landscaping elements in the garden 40 4 Unit 4 Understanding a range of specialist elements in the establishment of garden and urban plantings 30 3 Unit 1 is concerned with garden survey techniques and design principles. It explains the historical development of garden design styles which still have an influence on the gardens of today. Any good garden design needs to reflect the needs of the garden users and the capabilities of the site so the crucial information gathering and recording stages of the process are discussed before dealing with the application of design principles. Unit 2 puts physical form to the design by exploring how soft and hard landscaping features and materials are selected and used in the garden. Important safety issues are dealt with and we look at the topical subject of using sustainable materials. Unit 3 moves on to the construction phase. The plans discussed in unit 1 are translated into physical features and the methods used to construct those features are explained. Unit 4 covers aspects of planting and maintenance which are specific to amenity, woodland, wildlife, sensory, prairie, potager and urban gardens. We also look at how water sustainability can be incorporated into garden design and explain a number of specialist pruning techniques. RBGE February 2015 5
5. Course Delivery As a student on the RHS Level 3 Part 2 course you will have access to PropaGate which is RBGE s virtual learning environment. PropaGate Learning contains a wide range of learning materials to support your study including comprehensive resources, activities, revision aids and guidance on recommended reading. You will be required to purchase the following books: RHS Encyclopaedia of Gardening and RHS Encyclopaedia of Garden Design. Online tutorial support will be available throughout the course and there are online forums which you can use to share views and information with your fellow students and tutors. PropaGate Learning allows you to study from home, whilst becoming part of a thriving and enthusiastic learning community. The study weekends will be structured teaching sessions covering topics relevant to the part of the course students will be working on at the time. Although the course is theory, we will take time during the study weekends to practise or demonstrate some of the techniques which the syllabus requires you to understand. Much of the time on the study weekends is spent out in the garden so you will experience a wide range of planting examples and get inspiration for your studies. The study days scheduled shortly before the exams will also cover past exam questions and give guidance on exam technique. As well as being an essential part of the delivery of the course, the study weekends will give you the opportunity to meet and get to know the other students taking the course and to discuss any aspect of the course face to face with your tutors. Because the contents of study weekends 1 and 2 are integral to the course, attendance at these weekends should be considered as mandatory. Study days 1 and 2 are primarily about review and revision so attendance at these weekends can be considered as optional, although they are included in your course fee. How can I prepare for studying online? Experience of using your computer, using websites, using email and participating in online forums will stand you in good stead for learning online. What hardware or software will I need? You will need access to a desktop or laptop computer. Most of the course will be accessible via a tablet, but you may find some aspects of the course easier to use on a computer. Regarding software, you will need an up-to-date browser (e.g. Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari). You will also need software that will open PDFs (e.g. Adobe Reader).You will also need a reliable internet connection. PropaGate Learning is available 24/7 with the exception of any maintenance work which we will inform you about in plenty of time. What support is available? We encourage everyone to make the most of the forums on the course. These provide a way for students to talk to one another and to tutors and ask each other questions. There is also a messaging activity where you can contact your tutor directly and privately. Technical help is also only an email away (Mon-Fri). RBGE February 2015 6
6. Course Tutors John Taylor John is a qualified garden designer and studied at RBGE to gain a BSc. in Horticulture with Plantsmanship. He has been involved with a number of garden and landscape design projects and has also worked with the Arboriculture team at RBGE. John now concentrates on teaching and his courses include RHS Levels 2 and 3, horticulture modules for Landscape Architecture degrees at Edinburgh College of Art, RBGE's Certificate of Practical Horticulture and various adult education courses on garden design and plant selection. Colin Bell Colin is a self-employed landscape gardener that specialises in hard landscaping. He has 18 years industry related experience and has gained qualifications that include a HND in Garden Design and ND in Horticulture. Colin teaches on the RHS Levels 2 and 3 courses and undertakes practical hard landscape construction demonstrations for students on various courses at RBGE. 7. Examinations Each unit will be assessed by a separate written examination covering all learning outcomes specified in that unit. The examinations will be offered twice a year, in February and June. Students should aim to do papers 1 and 2 in June 2016 and papers 3 and 4 in February 2017. The RHS charge a 25 registration fee per exam. You can register to take the exams at RBGE or your nearest examination centre (a full list of approved centres can be found on the RHS website: www.rhs.org.uk/courses/qualifications) Please note that some centres will charge an additional administration fee for external candidates. If you take the exams here at RBGE, you will only need to pay the RHS registration fee for the exams. Exam registration forms for sitting the exams at RBGE will be sent out to students in good time before registration deadlines. Examination Dates: Units 1 & 2 - Thursday 23 rd June 2016 Units 3 & 4 Thursday 9 th February 2017 (TBC) If you have any physical or written access requirements (for example, if you have dyslexia or English is not your first language) please contact RBGE when you register for your exam. In addition, you must include a doctor's note or similar information with your exam registration form. Further details about the exams is available on the RHS website: www.rhs.org.uk/courses/qualifications RBGE February 2015 7
8. Education at RBGE The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has always been an institution devoted to learning in all its forms. It began life as a physic garden, in which Edinburgh s aspiring doctors could learn about the cures they would encounter during their work. Needless to say, a lot has changed since, but the mission of RBGE remains much the same To explore and explain the world of plants. The education department helps explain the world of plants to everybody from nursery school children through to adult learners of all ages. We offer diverse and varied schools programmes, and a huge range of further and short and professional courses including RBGE Certificates and Diplomas, HND/BSc and MSc. Our focus on horticulture and botanical education allows us to devote the expertise of our staff to supporting students through their studies. No matter what they are coming here to learn, students always find RBGE a friendly and welcoming place. We also have the benefit of excellent living collections and a newly developed teaching nursery. RBGE has three Regional Gardens in addition to the Garden at Edinburgh. All of them are equally committed to public outreach and education: Benmore Botanic Garden in Scotland s temperate west coast rainforest; exotic Logan Botanic Garden, basking in the Gulf Stream and Dawyck Botanic Garden, nestled in the cool dry climate of the Border hills. 9. Practical Horticulture Courses and Workshops RBGE offers a series of practical courses and workshops which offer a useful complement to this course. The RBGE Certificate in Practical Horticulture may be of particular interest to you. Please see the RBGE Professional Courses webpage or the Short Course programme for details of these. Both can be found here: www.rbge.org.uk/education 10. Financial support Individual Learning Accounts are a Scottish Government scheme for people on low incomes. You can apply for an account of 200 which you can use towards your course fees on this or other eligible courses. Contact Skills Development Scotland http://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/section/funding or on 0800 917 8000 for more details. 11. Course costs The fee for this course is 680, which is payable on acceptance of a place and includes the following: Access to PropaGate Learning E-mail tutorial support - you can contact the course tutor with any horticultural study questions 2 Study weekends and 2 study days at RBGE* *does not cover any travel / accommodation costs that may be incurred.. RBGE February 2015 8
12. Application procedure Please complete and return the application form to us by Friday 8 th January 2016. Fees are payable on acceptance of a course place, before the start of the programme. Please contact the Education Administrator, 0131 248 2937 or education@rbge.org.uk if you have any questions. Royal Horticultural Society Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Planting Blended Learning Application Form Do not send any money with this form. If you are offered a place payment will be requested in advance of the start of the course. Please send your completed form to: 1. Personal Details Education Administrator (RHS) Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 20a Inverleith Row Edinburgh EH3 5LR Title Mr / Mrs / Ms / Miss / Dr / Other Name: Address: Sex: M / F (delete as appropriate) Email Address: Contact Numbers: Daytime: Evening: Mobile: Date of Birth: (dd/mm/yy) 2. Payment Details (please select your payment option) Price ILA Amount Due Non- ILA 680-680 ILA* 680 200 480 *My Individual Learning Account (ILA) number is My ILA account expires: RBGE February 2015 9
3. Application Form Existing Qualifications & Experience (in brief) Professional Background Reasons for applying for this course? What do you hope to gain from this course? Where did you hear about this course? Do you have any additional support needs? Please give details. For office use only: Date application received Offered Yes / No Date: place Reference Number Place accepted Yes / No Date: RBGE February 2015 10