NC Horticulture with Landscape Construction (Level 5)

The course provides sound practical experience in a wide range of landscaping skills with the knowledge of construction principles and their application.

Location: Oatridge
Study mode: Full Time (1 year)
Start date: September 2026
Duration: 1 years
Agency code: HLC1

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Course overview

The course provides sound practical experience in a wide range of landscaping skills together with the knowledge of construction principles and their application.

You'll learn about hard and soft landscaping, horticulture and planting which will allow you to move into positions within landscaping, garden design, estate management and local authority work to name but a few.

It is ideal for anyone with some industry experience, wishing to broaden their experience, or for those planning a career change.

Virtual Experience

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Entry requirements

You'll be expected to have a minimum of three National 4s including English.

What you'll learn

A range of topics will be covered during the course including:

soils
plant husbandry
common disorders
tree and shrub planting
hand tools in horticulture
introduction to lawns and lawn care
plant identification
specialist planting
soft landscaping: trees and shrubs
small engine powered machine operations
tractor operations
bricklaying introduction
stone and brick work
fencing
surveying
paving and hard surfaces

Core modules

: Building garden fences is a key operation for most landscapers. This highly practical module will cover the main different styles and construction techniques of ornamental and functional garden fences. The module requires students to build fences on campus to the desired specification.
: Most landscapers will need bricklaying skills at some point in their career. This highly practical module requires students to build walls to varying specifications. It also teaches students to be aware of legislation, Health & Safety considerations, and to learn of the key terminology of brick materials. Students will build walls under the guidance of industry experienced lecturers in the safety of industry leading facilities.
: Every landscaper will need to learn how to interpret design plans. This module teaches students how to interpret a given plan and to set out the design to the correct scale in preparation of landscape construction operations. It also equips students with the practical know-how of the logical order of operations when constructing a garden.
: This module introduces students to laying paving. Students will learn about setting the right foundations, different techniques and materials whilst undertaking live projects on campus.
: This module introduces students to the vast range of materials a landscaper will encounter. Being able to recognise and name these materials is fundamental for those entering industry. The module also teaches the technical information providing students with the knowledge that they can order the correct materials for different jobs.

Study Horticulture at SRUC

Hear from lecturer Will Ritchie and students on what makes studying Horticulture at SRUC so worthwhile.

Watch

Student experience

“I loved the landscaping part of my course the most; we learned about monoblocking and I was really intrigued with how in-depth the process is and all the different designs that were possible. I’ve been involved with Gardening Scotland this year as well, building a Show Garden with my lecturer and classmates which won a Silver Award at the show.”

Terence graduated in 2019 and has been accepted for an apprenticeship with OCS working in the royal parks and based in Hyde Park in London. Terence says: “I’m excited about moving down south, and continuing my learning from other experienced hands.”

"I won a Silver Award at Gardening Scotland this year as well."

Terence Falla

Course Funding

Full-time students of NC Horticulture with Landscape Construction can apply for a Further Education Bursary.

Once you’ve accepted a place, we’ll email the bursary funding online application. Complete the application and return it along with any required documents. You should apply even if you're still waiting for exam results.

Tuition fees are waived for students who qualify for a bursary.

More information about funding your course

Find out more about your payment options for this course in our fees and funding section

Fees & funding

Other possible routes to funding

Care experienced bursary: Any care experienced students studying full time can apply for a bursary of around £202.50 per week. Find out more from our student funding teams at registryfunding@SRUC.ac.uk
Education Maintenance Allowance: Students between the ages of 16-19 who meet specific criteria may be entitled to an EMA. This means-tested allowance depends on the income of the home the student stays in.
Discretionary Fund
Childcare

NC Horticulture with Landscape Construction (Level 5)

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