The RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development consists of eight units, assessed by two exams on Units 1-4 and 5-8. 

You can download the syllabus for the revised RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development (September 2026) here.

This new Level 2 Certificate covers the core scientific principles underpinning horticultural practices, and looks at how horticulture benefits society. It also considers horticulture's role in preserving biodiversity, introducing more sustainable practices and reducing our carbon footprint to protect the natural environment.

The qualification is designed to help you develop the level of knowledge of plants and horticultural practices which is considered essential by the horticultural industries, and equip you for employment within the horticultural sector. It can help with career development if you already working in the profession, but also provides a springboard for a change of career into horticulture.

This qualification is classroom based; teaching consists of lectures and practical demonstrations with outdoor discussions where relevant.

There are two examinations, taken online on a special RHS exam platform. You must achieve at least the pass mark (50%) in each exam to be awarded the qualification.

If you fail an exam, there are no limits on how often you can retake it, but you will need to pay another RHS examination fee. 

Examination 1 will cover Units1-4, and Examination 2 will cover Units 5-8.

Examinations:  exams for each unit  take place in February and June each year, though in 2027 an October date may be added. 

Examinations last 120 minutes (2 hours). Each exam has a possible 100 marks. 25 marks will be on each of the four units, with a combination of multiple choice questions for 1 mark each and more structured short-answer questions for 2-4 marks. 

Your final grade for the overall qualification will be calculated by combining marks for each exam:  grades are: Pass (50-64.9%), Merit (65-79.9%). Distinction (80%+).

If you study this course, you commit to taking the examinations as this is now an RHS requirement.

You pay the fees for registration with the RHS and for two exams at the start of your course, and we pass these on to the RHS as soon as you are registered. 
The RHS exam timetable (which covers all qualifications) can be seen here.

Past examination papers will no longer be made available by the RHS (the new shorter question-format will build into a question bank in time) but sample questions and model answers have been promised for Autumn 2026, and once these make the question format clear, BEST's tutors have long experience in writing practice questions and sample papers to help you prepare for the exams.

When you have passed both exams, the Royal Horticultural Society will award you the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development - graded at Pass, Merit of Distinction.

Tuition fees: £915, RHS fees £205  = total payable £1120.

Important note on RHS fees : The RHS have made a decision that a Centre can only accept you on an RHS course if you commit to the complete assessment process when you start. So you have to pay the fees for registration and two examinations (£205) at the start of your course, because the RHS will invoice us for these fees as soon as we register you in the first week of the course. 

You can prepay  £1120 for your complete course; or you can secure your place on the course with a non-refundable booking fee of £285, payable on enrolment.  This is 25% of the full cost of the course plus an administration fee.  Please note: In the event of a place not being available, or if the course does not run, the booking fee will be returned to you. 

The remainder of the course fees can be paid in three equal instalments of £285 on weeks 8, 16 and 24 of the course.  Please note that instalment payments must be up to date before we can enter you for examinations.  

Payment methods:

• This website allows you to make payments via PayPal; you do not need a Paypal  account to pay with either a debit or credit card.  PayPal also offers a Pay in 3' facility. 
• You can ask us to set up a direct debit mandate for the instalments when you book the course by saying 'yes' to this on the enrolment form: we will be pleased to send you a mandate form by email. Once this has been returned to us we can request payments from your bank on or about weeks 8, 16 and 24  of the course.
• If you have problems using PayPal please contact us for BACS details. We cannot take credit card payments over the phone. 

Venue: In 2026 the course takes place at our   Ryton Centre.

The course will run at Ryton on Tuesday afternoon. 

You can complete the online enrolment form and pay a deposit to secure a place.

Please note course places will be limited;  if no course places are showing, please contact our administrator about a waiting list.

Once a booking has been made,  you will receive a confirmation of your place.  Shortly before the course begins you will be sent joining instructions.

There are no formal entry requirements for this course.

You can go on to study the RHS Practical Certificate, and work towards the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture.

An RHS Level 2 qualification is well respected in the horticultural industry and can be the first step in changing to a career in horticulture.

This course gives you an opportunity to develop transferable skills such as problem solving, implementing management plans / programmes, and communication as part of your applied learning,  and to progress to further learning opportunities at Level 3, and then to higher education, career advancement or entry in the horticultural industries at a more advanced, technical level.