The RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development (2022) consists of two units, each covering 4 topics:

Unit 1: Plant Science I, Plant Health, Plant Nutrition, Plant Specification

Unit 2: Plant Science II, Planting Styles, Horticulture and Society, Biodiversity.

The syllabus for the new RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development (2022)can be downloaded here.

The RHS puts it simply: ' All life on earth is directly or indirectly reliant on plants either from a nutritional perspective or increasingly ... through a deeper connection linked to mental health and wellbeing. People need plants. Plants need horticulturists.'

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.

In line with all of the new RHS qualifications, the requirements in each topic of the syllabus are now constructed around ‘assessment outcomes’ (AOs) which define the way in which you will demonstrate your knowledge, understanding and skills of making links between relevant topic areas,  under test conditions.

The AOs use a ‘progressive mastery’ model for each topic area. These qualifications have three broad categories of assessment outcomes, which are:

• AO1 – knowledge recall of scientific ideas, processes, techniques, procedures, and making correct use of terms, symbols and units of measurement
• AO2 – application of knowledge and understanding of concepts, theories, facts to different situations and contexts through presentation of reasoned explanations and analysis and interpretation of information and ideas
• AO3 – application of knowledge and understanding in an integrated and holistic way in order to reach conclusions and make judgements and recommendations

Course notes will provide the underpinning information required for the assessment outcomes, and examine their progressive applications in aspects of horticulture.

Sample assessments will be used for practice.

Assessments:

The two units will each be assessed by a separate examination:  examination 1 will cover Unit 1 (topics 1.1-1.4) and examination 2 will cover Unit 2 (topics 2.1-2.4).

For each examination there will be 100 marks available and each will take 120 minutes to complete.

The exams will consist of three sections: section A , 15-20 questions, 20 marks; section B, 12-15 questions, 50 marks; section C, choice of 2 from 4 questions, 2 x 15 marks.

You must achieve at least 50% in each unit and pass both unit 1 and 2 in order to be awarded the qualification. A final grade for the overall qualification will be calculated by amalgamating the marks for each unit and expressed as a percentage. Learners will be awarded the following grades for the complete qualification:
50-64% Pass
65-79% Merit
80%+ Distinction.

Examinations are held in February and June.

When you have passed exams in both units, the Royal Horticultural Society will award you the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture - at either Pass, Merit of Distinction.

If you combine this with the RHS Level 2 certificate in Horticultural Principles, The RHS will award you with an RHS L2 Certificate in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture.

Tuition fees: £920, RHS fees £200  = 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 (£200) 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: Courses will take place at our  Bampton and Ryton Centres.

The course will run at Ryton on Tuesday afternoon and at Bampton on Monday 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.