Level 3 & 4 Diploma in Horticultural Practice

Get the skills and qualifications to progress your career in horticulture

Applications are closed

Applications for the Level 3 and 4 Diploma at RHS Garden Wisley are closed. Our next recruitment will open in Spring 2027

This programme is aimed at those with an existing horticultural qualification and practical experience who wish to learn more and develop team leader and supervisory skills

It is suitable for applicants with a completed accredited Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture (or equivalent) and a total of 6 months full-time practical experience at the time of application

The two-year programme (delivered at RHS Garden Wisley) is a full-time work-based training programme with academic study

You will spend 2 years working alongside the 12 garden teams at RHS Garden Wisley whilst completing your qualifications

Complete Level 3 and 4 qualifications

Over the 2 years, you will attend a detailed lecture and masterclass programme, and complete various pieces of assessed coursework to achieve the RHS Level 3 qualifications and Level 4 Diploma in Horticultural Practice.  Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels) is studied in year one, and Level 4 (equivalent to a first-year degree) in year two.
 
Diploma students will also complete a number of short practical-based national qualifications, including PA1 & PA6aw (spraying), Tractor driving, Strimming and brush cutting, Hedge trimming and Tree assessment.

What will you study

Year one - Level 3

You will learn about the following areas of horticulture:

  • Horticultural Heritage
  • Plant Knowledge
  • Plant Selection and Cultivation
  • Managing Plant Propagation
  • Garden Styles and Specialist Areas
  • Productive Growing
  • Gardens Management
  • Gardens, People and Spaces
You will have the opportunity to tend your own growing area and visit the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Year two - Level 4

You will learn about the following areas of horticulture:

  • Horticultural management
  • Ornamental planting
  • Horticultural taxonomy
  • Botany and plantsmanship II
  • Plant health II
  • Garden design
  • Landscape construction
  • Propagation and protected growing environments
  • Research project
Read the Level 4 DHP Qualification Specification (274kB pdf)
 
Please note: Progression onto the Level 4 Diploma programme (year two) depends on the Level 3 Certificates (year one) having been successfully completed

Entry Requirements

At application, you must have completed an accredited Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture

  • The Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture should have covered both horticultural theory and practice and be an accredited qualification*. This could, for example, be a Horticultural Operative Apprenticeship Standard, a City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture or the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture**
Please note: if you already hold a Level 3 Diploma (or higher) in Horticulture (or equivalent) or have too much prior experience, you will not be eligible to apply for a Diploma in Horticultural Practice
 
At application you must have a total of 6 months’ full-time*** outdoor practical, horticultural experience in a professional environment (paid or voluntary) and experience using horticultural equipment, machinery and/or tools
  • Applicants must be able to evidence relevant industry experience within an employed role or formal voluntary placement. For example, within a historic/botanic garden, a public park, garden centre, commercial nursery or other practical horticultural business
  • You must have the Right to Work in the UK at the start of your RHS contract and for the duration of the placement as the RHS is unable to sponsor any visa applications
 * Accredited qualifications can be checked on the Government website:
https://find-a-qualification.services.ofqual.gov.uk/find-regulated-qualifications. If you have any other accredited Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture qualification please contact the School of Horticulture to discuss your eligibility
** made up of the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development PLUS the RHS Level 2 Certificate in Practical horticulture
*** This equates to a total of 132 days or 925 hours, not for example, one day a week over a period of six months

As a Level 3 and 4 Diploma Student

  • Be inspired by, and learn from, our people and gardens
  • Develop theoretical, practical and horticultural management skills and knowledge through practical training and studies

  • Train at RHS Garden Wisley, over two years, to help you progress or find employment within the industry after your training has finished
​Please note: 15 days paid, study time is allocated over the academic year for you to work on your assignments.

Want to know more?

Hear first-hand from our former Diploma students about what’s involved in the two-year programme

Frequently asked questions

Working in the garden

Diploma students are employed on a two-year fixed-term contract

  • This is a full-time work-based training programme (37.5 hours per week) with a working pattern of five days out of seven (including weekend and occasional evening work)
  • Unfortunately, we are unable to offer this programme on a part-time basis
  • We cannot accept applications for the Level 4 Diploma only, as this is a two-year programme that includes both qualifications
Practical and classroom-based learning takes place in the garden
  • As a Level 4 student, you would be required to conduct research and produce written work alongside your lectures and practical work in the garden
As a horticultural student, you will work on rotation through all the garden departments at RHS Garden Wisley
  • Each student is supported by a Garden Manager, Academic Tutors and key contacts within the Curatorial and School of Horticulture Teams
  • You will work alongside experienced RHS staff in the garden, learning about the day-to-day cultivation and/or maintenance of the garden across the year, allowing you to experience a wide range of garden types and seasonal activities

Transport and accommodation

  • Diploma Students must find their own way to work, however, the garden will have flexibility in enabling access around public transport
  • Accommodation is available in Wisley Village (for a deduction in your gross salary), the accommodation comprises of single rooms with shared kitchen and lounge facilities

Applications are closed

Applications for the Level 3 and 4 Diploma at RHS Garden Wisley are closed. Our next recruitment will open in December 2026


Got a question for the Diploma team?

Get in touch with our dedicated team and they’ll help get you started:
 


Email: [email protected]

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