RHS Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture – Saturdays
2026-2027
RHS Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture
This qualification has been designed to provide learners with the breadth of horticultural knowledge and practical skills required to carry out routine horticultural tasks competently in a range of settings. It supports progression into employment within the horticultural industry, including professional gardening, landscaping, plant production, and garden retail, while also meeting the needs of amateur gardeners and those in the early stages of a horticultural career.
The course also supports personal development, career change, and lifelong learning, while helping learners develop transferable skills such as problem-solving, planning and implementing programmes of work, and effective communication.
Successful completion of this qualification can support progression to Level 3 study, higher education, and more advanced technical roles within the horticultural industry. There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
Course Structure
The course provides 120 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) over the academic year, delivered across three terms.
Classes are held once a week for four hours and follow the academic calendar shown below.
Assessment
A range of assessment methods is used throughout the qualification, including:
- Tutor assessment of practical skills
- Short-answer summative tests
- Direct observation by RHS Assessors
- Online assessment
All assessments are conducted in accordance with RHS requirements.
Please note that assessments are an integral part of the course and are not optional.
Practical assessments are conducted in situ at Anglesey Abbey, while the Online Assessment is completed at home using a personal computer.
Resits are available if required. However, resit fees are not included in the course fee and must be paid separately at the rates set by the RHS.
A formal RHS certificate is issued upon successful completion of the qualification.
Reserving Your Place
To reserve a place, a £450 deposit (booking fee) must be paid online via the ‘Book Now’ button on our website.
Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To guarantee a place, bookings and deposits should be received at least seven days before the course start date.
Course Fees
The total course fee is £1,200, which includes:
- Tuition
- Course materials
- RHS registration
- Examination and assessment fees
- Booking fee
Payment options:
Option 1 – Pay in Full
- £1,200 before the course begins.
Option 2 – Instalment Plan
- £450 non-refundable booking fee to reserve a place.
- Eight monthly instalments of £93.75, payable from October 2026 to May 2027.
Payments can be made via:
- Wisepay
Instalment payments must be received by the 7th of each month.
Please note that if you withdraw from the course after the start date, the full course fee remains payable. If the course does not run or a place cannot be offered, the booking fee will be refunded.
Funding
Cambridgeshire County Council will not be offering funding for new starters on the Academic Year 2026/27. This decision follows the completion of a wider strategic review, together with an increased focus from funders on supporting adults back into employment and addressing other priorities identified in the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) developed by the Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce.
Funding is subject to availability and continuation of external funding arrangements.
Attendance and Study Expectations
The course is taught by experienced tutors using a variety of teaching methods. Comprehensive handouts are provided.
To gain maximum benefit from the course and prepare for assessment, learners should complete approximately two hours of independent study each week.
As places are limited, a high level of commitment is expected. Learners who fail to attend for four consecutive weeks may be withdrawn from the course, and the full course fee will remain payable, regardless of funding status.
Optional visits to places of horticultural interest may be arranged throughout the year. Costs associated with external visits are not included in the course fee.
Venue and Delivery
Classes are held on Fridays from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm at Anglesey Abbey Kitchen Gardens.
Facilities are available at the main National Trust site.
While the intention is to deliver the course in person, the Centre reserves the right to move teaching online if circumstances require. No refund of course fees will be available in such cases.
Course Dates
Autumn Term
- September: 19, 26
- October: 3, 10, 17, 24
- November: 7, 14, 21
- December: 5
Spring Term
- January: 9, 16, 23, 30
- February: 6, 13, 27
- March: 6, 13
Summer Term
- April: 17, 24
- May: 1, 8, 15, 22
- June: 12, 26
- July: 11
RHS Practical Assessment Dates
PCA1
- 18 and 19 March 2027
- In Situ at Anglesey Abbey
- Time: TBC
PCA2
- 1 and 2 July 2027
- In Situ at Anglesey Abbey
- Time: TBC
OCA (Online Assessment)
- Friday 18 June 2027
- Online at Home
- 9:30 am – 10:45 am