HNC Horticulture

Course overview

This course will teach you the fundamentals of horticulture, and give you an awareness of the different sectors of the industry. It will look at nursery production, maintenance of gardens and greenspace and plant retailing, among other subjects.

There's plenty of opportunities to develop practical skills as well as your knowledge of plants and their cultivation.

Your knowledge of plant identification, propagation, growing on and garden maintenance will be backed by sound business knowledge.

Virtual Experience

Take a look around the SRUC Virtual Experience for lots of great student videos and examples of what it’s like to study our courses, along with campus and facility tours.

SRUC holds open days regularly. Visit our listings page for details of our up-coming events.

Entry requirements

Two Highers (CC) including a science subject.

National 5 (A-C) or equivalent pass in English and Maths.

Alternative entry qualifications, such as a related National Certificate, are also accepted.

Applicants with a mature attitude who are seeking a change in career will be assessed individually.

What you'll learn

Much of your learning will be practical, like horticultural techniques for plant propagation, potting, pruning and growing on as well as plant trials and garden maintenance. At the end of the course, you'll put it all to the test by creating your own outdoor plot.

Example modules include:

Horticulture: Plant Recognition and Use
Soil Management
Plant Growth & Development
Plant Physiology
Nursery Production

Study next generation horticulture at SRUC

Find out more about our HNC Horticulture course.

Watch

Study Horticulture at SRUC

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

Watch

Student experience

“Progressing year by year gave me the flexibility to study while I worked in the industry" Scott Galloway says. "This way I was able to gain the hands-on practical experience I wanted alongside the classroom-based learning needed to develop my career."

Scott went on to complete an HND Horticulture and BSc (Hons) Horticulture with Plantsmanship. "During my studies, I was lucky to be able to work with the National Trust for Scotland and Royal Horticultural Society. The Horticulture with Plantsmanship degree offered a varied programme of courses that definitely helped prepare me for my career today. I now work in local government as a Greenspace and Biodiversity Policy Officer. I write strategies and plans to protect and enhance biodiversity and lead on a number of nature restoration projects to secure climate adaptation and halt and reverse biodiversity loss.

"I would highly recommend studying with SRUC if you are looking to start a career in horticulture.”

"I would highly recommend studying with SRUC if you are looking to start a career in horticulture.”

Scott Galloway, HNC Horticulture

Fees and funding

Eligible full-time students studying HNC Horticulture should apply to SAAS for fees and funding. A student loan is also available to help students with living costs.

If you do not apply, you will have to pay your fees yourself and if you have studied at HNC/D/degree level before SAAS may not pay your fees.

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: There are a number of bursaries available to care-experienced students studying full time. Find out more from our student funding teams at: registryfunding@SRUC.ac.uk
Discretionary fund
- SAAS student bursary
- Care Experienced Accommodation Grant
- Childcare
- Going further bursary
- RUK bursary (for students from outside Scotland)
- The Gregor Thomas Royan Lamb Bursary for Future Farmers
- Centenary bursary
- Change your path bursary