Careers information

Whether you’re considering a change of career or just starting out, here are a few options to help you explore pathways into horticulture

How to get into horticulture

If you have a love for the great outdoors, are passionate about plants and nature, or are inquisitive with the natural world and science, then a career in horticulture could be for you

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Qualifications and training

There are several choices for training in horticulture, which will depend on what role you are aiming for, how you learn best and the time available to you to learn – opportunities include:

Apprenticeships

Learn while you work – apprenticeships are paid opportunities with an employer, with an added 20% off the job training time. You can find out more on the Government apprenticeship website or our RHS Apprenticeships page.

RHS Apprenticeships

Full-time courses

Many colleges and other training providers run full-time courses in horticulture. These are useful if you wish to dedicate a significant amount of time to training in one go. Find out more on the National Land Based College website.

National Land Based College

Part-time courses

Part-time courses are useful if you are looking to retrain, or have life commitments which mean you cannot devote yourself to study full time. Find out more on our RHS Qualifications pages or the National Land Based College website.

RHS Qualifications

Work-based training

There is a strong tradition of work-based training in the horticultural industry. Many gardens and organisations offer training opportunities with their expert horticultural teams. These vary in length and content, and may or may not lead to a regulated qualification. Find out more on the RHS School of Horticulture page.

RHS School of Horticulture

Other training locations

There are many other training locations, some to consider are:

RBG Kew | RBG Edinburgh | National Botanical Garden of Wales | Cambridge University Botanic Garden | Oxford Botanic Garden & Arboretum | University of Bristol Botanic Garden | Tresco Abbey Garden | Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Find more like this

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.