Horticulture HNC
Course code: 454D
Study mode: You study most days of the week and complete all course units /modules in the standard time., You take fewer course units/modules per week compared to full time., You take one or more course unit/module(s) at a time.
Course type: HNC
International: Not eligible for international students
Study at: Argyll; Inverness; Moray; North, West and Hebrides (Stornoway); Orkney
Start in: September
Learning mode: You attend classes in person at your local campus or learning centre., You access classes and/or materials digitally.
Duration: Full-time: 1 year; Part-time: 2 years; Part-time modular: 34 weeks
How: You attend classes at scheduled times, shown on your timetable., You complete course tasks independently. These may be set by your lecturer or chosen by you.
What is special about this course?
This HNC Horticulture has been designed by our subject specialists to provide you with an engaging and comprehensive introduction into the world of commercial horticulture and landscape.
The course structure enables you to learn by working on projects, as you would in real life, and the content reflects a broad range of contemporary topics. The number of assessments has been considered so that you can spend more time learning. You will be taught by experienced horticulture lecturers with real world experience: the teaching team includes specialists in conservation and the environment, as well as an award-winning garden designer.
Throughout the course you will be introduced to areas of specialism and develop an understanding of the evolving nature of horticultural science and the exciting range of career possibilities. You’ll gain practical and theoretical knowledge which will prepare you for employment at craft level in this diverse industry.
Special features
- Developed by experienced horticulture specialists to provide a balanced and well-rounded qualification which will give you more time learning and less time being assessed
- Exciting work placement opportunities tailored to your own career aspirations
- Opportunity to gain essential supervisory and management skills as well as practical experience
- You can study individual modules for personal or professional development
- Study full-time or part-time to fit in with your personal and work commitments
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
- 1 Scottish Higher at grade C or above OR
- 1 A level at grade D or above
- Alternatively, NC Horticulture (SCQF level 5 or above), City and Guilds Horticulture (level 6), SVQ 3 in a Horticulture related subject, or another equivalent SCQF level 6 course
Modules include:
- Creation of gardens and green spaces
- Ecology and environment for horticulture
- Maintenance of gardens and green spaces
- Plant biology
- Production horticulture
- Social and therapeutic horticulture
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Part-time modular (standalone modules)
- This course is mainly delivered online with scheduled sessions and tutorials
- Online study will be done via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
- You will also study in-person, on campus
- Face to face tuition will take place for practical elements. Your timetable may vary through the year to accommodate daylight hours for practical sessions
- Inverness, Moray and Orkney students will attend online sessions two days per week and practical sessions at your local campus for one day per week
- Argyll students will also attend online sessions two days per week and practical sessions at UHI Argyll for one day per week. However, if you cannot attend weekly practical sessions on campus due to your location, you will be supported in setting up a placement closer to you for one day per week. This applies to all students registered with Argyll but not based near to a UHI campus
- You will take part in a mandatory online induction, and you will also be invited to an in-person induction at your local campus in the September that your course starts
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 1 year @ 30 hours per week
- Part-time (structured): 2 years @ 15 hours per week
- Part-time modular: 34 weeks @ 4-6 hours per week per unit
The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent on online material as well as individual study and research.
- Argyll
- Inverness
- Moray
- North, West and Hebrides - Stornoway campus
- Orkney
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £1,285 | £1,285 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £86 | £86 |
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £7,440 | £7,886 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £496 | £526 |
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.
For students who do not normally reside in the UK, including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £8,925 | £9,460 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £595 | £630 |
Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
The Chartered Institute of Horticulture also provides information on many available horticulture scholarships and grants, please visit their site for further details.
Additional costs
Practical learning may be delivered on campus or in conjunction with a partner organisation, and may be delivered in blocks. You should be prepared to travel to the site, which will always be located within commuting distance of your local campus.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed this course, you might like to consider careers in:
- Retail horticulture such as garden centres etc
- Private estates/homes eg National Trust
- Commercial nursery
- Landscaping
- Self-employment
Can I progress into further study?
You may wish to progress from HNC Horticulture to the following courses:
I love horticulture and wanted to study it further. I chose UHI as I could stay at home, and still study what I am interested in. The mix of delivery styles allows teaching by experts across Scotland, so the best knowledge is passed on. I was really happy with the practical teaching, something employers really want to see. The class gathering weekly allows us to enjoy the social aspects of education as well.
I joined the UHI Green Champions Network which opened up interesting discussions on how the campuses across Scotland could be more sustainable and eco-friendly. I also got the chance to attend lectures from expert scientists and ecologists.
It is so beautiful here, with amazing places to explore. The Highlands and Moray are filled with underappreciated sites of natural beauty.
Gallia studied HNC Horticulture at UHI Moray.
Two years ago, I went to an open day at UHI’s Helensburgh campus and asked if I could join the HNC Horticulture. I graduated last summer with a ton of new knowledge and immediately signed up for the HND. I used my new qualifications to apply for a position at the National Trust for Scotland and now work for the beautiful Greenbank Garden in Glasgow, with lots of good days ahead doing a job I love.
Fiona studied HNC and HND Horticulture at UHI Argyll.
Apply for Horticulture HNC
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.