Education & the RHS

The Wisley Diploma in Practical Horticulture

With its unique facilities, Wisley is an excellent place to study and work towards attaining the Wisley Diploma in Practical Horticulture.

Holders of this qualification will have demonstrated by continuous assessment and two practical examinations, a broad knowledge of horticultural principles and practice, and excellent practical ability.

In general

Each year, in September, there is an intake of 14 candidates.

• Renumeration is currently £12,040 per year, paid monthly.
• Trainees will live in the Society's self-catering accommodation, comprising shared housing of between two to five people. Each trainee has a single study bedroom and access to a shared lounge and kitchen/dining facilities (subsidised cost of which will be deducted from renumeration).

Course content

Wisley Diploma Trainees attend classes at our Study Centre to underpin the practical nature of the course and are expected to carry out the following coursework: keep a diary; prepare collections of herbarium material, pests and diseases; keep an allotment, undertake a dissertation and fortnightly plant identification tests.

Eligibility

• Applicants will normally be expected to hold a National Certificate in Horticulture, an RHS General Examination in Horticulture Certificate or similar. Applicants from overseas will be considered, and acceptance will be subject to a Work Permit being granted for non-EU nationals.
• A good working knowledge of the English language is essential, and evidence to that effect will be requested.

Assessment

Consideration for the award of the Wisley Diploma in Practical Horticulture will take account of the Trainee Gardener's practical performance in Garden placements, success in the coursework requirements and the RHS practical examinations.

Successful candidates will be entitled to use the designation Dip. Hort. (Wisley) after their names.

Applications

Applications must be made by 31 January in the year of anticipated entry. To download an application form and course details, click here for an Adobe Acrobat pdf version (109KB) or here for a Word for Windows doc version (278KB).