New garden heritage degree
23 July 2010
Reaseheath College in Cheshire is offering students the chance to study the restoration and management of historic gardens with a new foundation degree in garden heritage starting this year.
The two-year course, also available for part-time students, develops understanding of garden history and also teaches the specialist skills and knowledge required to care for historically important gardens.
Reaseheath students can make use of the college's 12-hectare (30-acre) gardens and nurseries, including several specialist plant collections, during the course and are encouraged to develop their own areas of interest through a professional research project. Full-time students also carry out a 10-week work placement.
As well as the foundation degree the college is offering a diploma for professionals wishing to learn more about the heritage sector as part of a Continuing Professional Development programme.
The college joins an increasing number of academic institutions across the country offering courses in garden heritage. There are now also many opportunities for professional placements in historic gardens, mainly through the Heritage and Botanic Garden Bursary Scheme set up by organisations including English Heritage and the Institute of Horticulture to address the shortage of horticulturists trained in caring for the UK's garden heritage.
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