rhs certificate

not sure if this is the best place for this but it didn't seem to fit anywhere.
I am thinking of studying for an rhs certificate in horticulture in my spare time to help me develop my knowledge. Just wondering if anyone here has done this and what their experiences were. It would be completed using textbooks and playing in the garden since I cannot commit to a scheduled course so if anyone has done it this way I'd love to know how successful you have been.

craig

 

Ok, Craig - are you ready?????

The level 2 is usually done as a day course from Sept - May, with the option of sitting the two papers at the same time or separately. Most places do it separately, on in Jan, I think, and the other May / June. Many places do it as an evening class too.

It's entirely theory, but many centres try to do some practical work too. In my case, we did some practical work as optional workshops throughout the course.

It's not cheap - but you can opt to study on your own (I can recommend the books, if you choose to do that) and just sit the exam at an approved centre. That's perfectly ok - lots of people do it.

There are places that do it as distance learning - that's an expensive option.

If you want more info about it, feel free to pm me about it.

Cheers
Dendy

 

dendy

thank you very much for such a speedy reply! I have looked into ICS style learning and I not really sure where the money goes with them. The syllabus is available online and the recommended reading list available for all. You even have to enter and pay for the examinations yourself.

My plan was to work from the syllabus to make sure I'm covering everything required and just read the books at leisure for the enjoyment. I'm keen to know where you trained. I'm based in london.

I'm glad lots of people opt for self-learning. I'm not the only person to consider doing it for myself instead of through a formal course; thats reassuring - I'm not mad!

 

If you're in the north of London, there's Capel Manor, Enfield area. I first went to St aLbans - Oaklands, and when I moved north, I went to the Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh.

I think Kew does its own courses - and if you're lucky enough to be selected to do their courses, I don't think you pay.... could be wrong about that, though.

The useful thing about enrolling on a course is that it focuses you on getting on with it. IF you're not an organised person, it can be hard to work on your own.

Good luck with it!

 

Oh, BTW - key thing with that exam is to do hundreds of practice questions - a lot of the key to success is exam technique :rolleyes:

 

Ooooh oooh I went to Oaklands, Chain saw, gardening thing, tractor. I did my I.O.G at Spurs Lodge.

 

Me too me too, Commercial Hort stage 1, then I went on the parks and had to do amenity at Norwood Hall near Hounslow(is that still there ?).

 

I did the RHS course level 2.
I did a distance course, whereby the modules (14) are sent to you by post and a tutor is available via phone, email or post to assist you.
It cost about �£350 then about four years ago and the exam cost about �£45, which I sat at NESCOT in Surrey. The duration of the course is three years although it can be completed in two.
Hope this helps.