RHS Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Plant Growth and Development – UNIT 1 – Thursdays
RHS Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Plant Growth and Development - UNIT 1 - Thursdays
This course assesses the knowledge of the scientific principles underpinning horticultural practices and supports career development for those already working in the profession. It also provides learners the opportunity of personal development, including the changing of careers and engagement in their learning and offers an opportunity to develop transferable skills such as problem solving, implementing management plans / programmes, and communication as part of their applied learning. It allows learners the opportunity to progress to further learning opportunities at Level 3, and then to higher education, career advancement or entry in the horticultural industries at a more advanced, technical level. There are no pre-requisites for entry to this qualification. (RHS Qualifications—RHS Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Plant Growth and Development—Qualification Specification).
The total number of Guided Learning Hours for this course is 60 per year, split over three terms. Classes will be 2 hours long and take place once a week following the academic calendar.
This qualification certificate is divided into two units, each containing four topics made up of elements. This particular course covers UNIT 1. The content is identified through the use of Topic / Element codes, as follows:
This qualification will be assessed by a written examination for each unit. Both unit examinations carry equal marks. You have to achieve at least 50% in each unit and must pass both unit 1 and 2 in order to be awarded the qualification. A final grade for the overall qualification will be calculated by amalgamating the marks for each unit and expressed as a percentage. You will be awarded the following grades for the complete qualification: 50-64% Pass / 65-79% Merit / 80%+ Distinction.
The exams are an integral part of the course and are not optional. The exam for Unit 1 will be offered in-centre and will be available in June, with re-sits available in February and June of the following year. Dates will be confirmed by the RHS and communicated to students as soon as possible. For further details regarding the qualification and syllabus, please visit the RHS website.
A formal certificate is issued by the RHS on successful completion of the qualification the learner is enrolled on.
Reserving Your Place: Please pay the £300 deposit online by clicking on the ‘Book Now’ button on our website. Please ensure your place is booked and the deposit paid at least 7 days before the course starts in order to ensure your place. Places are limited so we advise booking as soon as possible, as bookings are on a first come, first serve basis.
Course Fees: The full fee for this course is £750 which includes a booking fee, tuition, RHS registration, examination fees and materials. A deposit of £300 is due before the course start date and the remainder of the course fee may be paid by instalments: a non-refundable booking fee of £300 to reserve your place, followed by five monthly payments (from November 2024 to March 2025) of £90. Please note that if you choose to withdraw from the course, the full course fee remains payable. In the event of the course not running, or a place not being available, the booking fee will be refunded.
For all deposit or the full £750 fee payments, please use Wisepay or contact us and we can take a card payment in person or over the phone. Please note for those paying in instalments, these can be made via card (over the phone or in-person), via Wisepay or via Standing Order (bank details available upon request) by the 7th of every aforementioned month.
Funding: Some of our RHS courses are co-funded* (subsidised) by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA). This funding is managed by Cambridgeshire Skills and available only to students aged over the age of 19 . Depending on your personal circumstances, (e.g., unemployed or low waged and in receipt of certain benefits) at the commencement of the course, you may be eligible for a co-funded place, where only the booking fee is payable. Completion of our full enrolment form at the commencement of the course will indicate whether you are eligible, until then you should expect to pay the full fee.
*Subject to continuation of funding.
PLEASE NOTE THAT UNIT 1 AND UNIT 2 ARE ONE QUALIFICATION SPREAD OVER TWO ACADEMIC YEARS. THEREFORE, SHOULD YOU BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR FUNDING APPLICATION FOR THE FIRST PART OF THE COURSE (UNIT 1), YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE SECOND (UNIT 2). FAILURE TO COMPLETE BOTH UNITS AND SUCCESSFULLY PASS ALL EXAMS WILL LEAD TO FUNDING BEING WITHDRAWN AND THE FULL COURSE FEE WILL THEN BE OWED.
Full Enrolment: Before the start of the course, you MUST complete and return a full enrolment form for the academic year 2024-2025 (soon to be available to download on the payment page). This must be done by ALL STUDENTS, regardless of whether or not you are seeking funding. Please note that either the first instalment or the full balance must reach us at least 7 days before the course start to retain your place. You will need to bring your completed form, ID (Driver Licence or Passport) and original documents supporting your application for funding on the first evening of class. Please note that any enrolment forms not fully completed and returned by 19 September 2024 will not be considered and funding will not be made available. The full course fee will then be payable as per the information provided in this document.
Further Information: The syllabus is taught by experienced tutors using a variety of delivery methods. Comprehensive handouts will be provided. In order to gain the most from your course and achieve the qualification, at least 2 hours’ home study is required each week. The Centre expects a high level of commitment to the course, because places are limited. If you do not attend for 4 consecutive weeks, you will be withdrawn from the course and the full fee will be payable, whether or not funding was successfully obtained. Visits to places of interest such as The University Botanic Gardens and Anglesey Abbey Gardens will be offered on some Sundays throughout the year. Costs for external visits are not included in the course fee.
Please note: The course will only run on a Thursday evening.
Covid-19: Whilst we fully intend to offer this course in the classroom, we reserve the right to change the delivery of this course to remote learning via an online platform, should COVID-19 local restrictions make it necessary. In such circumstances no refund of course fees will apply.
IMPORTANT STIPULATION: For those students applying for and being granted funding, please note that you MUST complete ALL learning and PASS ALL exams. Failure to do so will mean the FULL COURSE FEE WILL BE DUE, as the funding requirements will not have been met.
Course dates:
September – 19 & 26
October – 10, 17 & 24
November – 7, 14, 21 & 28
December – 5
January – 9, 16, 23 & 30
February – 6, 13 & 27
March – 6, 13, 20 & 27
April – 3
April – 24
May – 1, 8, 15 & 22
June – 5, 12 & 19