Cornwall College

FdSc Horticulture

UCAS course code D403
Institution code C78
Duration

2 years
Course type

Full-time
Study location Duchy College (Rosewarne)
Apply at UCAS.com
From campuses across Cornwall and Devon, including at the Eden Project and in Newquay, we offer a wide range of university-level specialist courses, designed with employers and delivered by industry professionals, in subjects ranging from counselling, ecology, horticulture and marine biology to zoology. Recognised with a TEF Silver award for teaching and student outcomes, our courses emphasise professional technical skills, and benefit from direct one-to-one access to lecturers and personal wrap around support.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • Core modules

    CORC1013C
    Personal and Employability Skills Development

    This module is designed to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to develop themselves in terms of their personal and employability skills.

    CORR130
    Applied Horticultural Practices

    A practical module that looks at the main skills required by a horticulturalist such identification, ground preparation and propagation.

    CORR146
    Botany and Plant Physiology

    This module will enable the student to research and understand all the processes and roles of plant tissues in healthy plant growth and development.

    CORR147
    Soil Science and Plant Nutrition

    This module focuses on the role of soil as a rooting medium and the importance of mineral nutrients in plant growth.

    Optional modules

    CORR101
    Sustainable Farming and Growing Principles, Standards, Systems and Methods

    CORR102
    Sustainable Land Management and Conservation

    CORR111
    Ethnobotany and Sustainable Development

    Ethnobotany is the study of plants used by specific cultures for a number of reasons. It draws upon studies of botany, anthropology, photochemistry, sociology, medicine as well as agriculture.

    CORR148
    Biogeography and Plant Environment Interactions

    This provide students with an understanding of plant interaction with their environment and climatic constraints to their distribution.

    FHOR105
    Landscape Design

    This module introduces students to the principles of Landscape design with specific reference to Garden / Domestic Design. It develops the skills required to evaluate a site and produce design plans for its future development.

    FHOR106
    Plant Use in Design

    This module develops design skills to create style and atmosphere within a garden/landscape situation using plants.

    FHOR109
    Horticultural Technologies

    FHOR110
    International Horticulture

    FHOR112
    Mechanisation and Crop Establishment

    FHOR113
    Organic and Low Input Production

  • Final year

  • Core modules

    CORR2000B
    Research Project

    The opportunity to carry out an individual piece of research or survey work, with the support of teaching staff. The module commences with a series of sessions covering project design and appropriate data analysis techniques.

    CORR2009
    Crop Protection

    This module allows the student to research and familiarise themselves with the wide range of pests, diseases and other pathogens that affect plants in order to be able to predict infestations and formulate control measures.

    FHOR200
    Plant Taxonomy, Classification and Genetics

    The Module covers the various methods used to classify and name plants. It coves the evolution of plant forms and flower structures and leads onto genetics and the breeding of new cultivars.

    Optional modules

    CORR201
    Plant Conservation and Collections

    Plant conservation is increasing important as a means of reducing extinction rates amongst plant species. This module looks at modern plant conservation and, in particular the importance of collections.

    CORR2010
    Ornamental Nursery Stock Production

    A review of the containerised and open group production of plants within the Hardy Ornamental Nursery Stock Industry (HONS).

    CORR202
    Planning Organic and/or Low-Input Crop Production

    CORR203
    Marketing Horticultural Products

    CORR211
    Landscape Studies

    The History of Landscape Design from 1500 to the present day, documenting the main design movements and the noted designers of each period. The influence design has had on land and garden management and the current practice of design restoration and management.

    CORR212
    Applied Landscape Construction

    This module allows the opportunity for students to apply the knowledge gained in Landscape Construction.

    CORR213
    Mainstream and Alternative Cropping

    This module is designed to develop the student's understanding of conventional production techniques of traditionally grown crops, and investigate new merging crops and production cycles.

    FHOR201
    Garden and Landscape History

    This module examines concepts in the development of garden and landscape from the past to the present day. It links to a consideration of conservation in restoration and individual styles both personal and regional (local and international).

    FHOR202
    Business Management

    FHOR203
    Ecology

    An introduction to the concept of ecological process and factors that aims to generate environmental awareness within a horticultural framework.

    FHOR208
    Advanced Ethno-Botany and Land Use Policy

    This module builds on the introduction to ethno-botany studied at stage 1 as well as investigating land use policy.

    FHOR209
    Data Analysis and Research Methods

    This module is designed to develop the student's knowledge of application of statistics to the planning and analysis of biological experiments.

    FHOR212
    Crop Maintenance and Harvesting

    FHOR215
    Landscape and Amenity Management

    FHOR216
    Domestic Production and Markets

    FHOR231
    Hunters and Collectors: History of Plant Collection, Naming and Classification

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Fees, costs and funding
As this course is delivered by one of our partner colleges, please contact the college directly for information on fees and funding.

*UK Government announcement on tuition fees

Following an announcement in November, the government has confirmed its intention to increase undergraduate tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year.

Subject to final Parliamentary approval (expected in early March 2025), the tuition fee for UK students is increasing to a maximum of £9,535 from 1 August 2025. This change applies to current and new students at the University of Plymouth. The Student Loans Company (SLC) has confirmed loans for tuition fees will be increased accordingly.

How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code.
To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.
Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Progression routes

Completing this course enables you to progress onto these related courses and programmes with the University of Plymouth at level 5 or level 6, as specifically defined by this programme’s progression agreement.

For further information, including the progression from foundation degree form, please visit https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/business-partners/partnerships/academic-partnerships/study-guide/progression-to-honours-degree

Our partnership with Cornwall College
The University of Plymouth has developed partnerships with institutions around the world with the sole purpose of making higher education more accessible to those people who need something just a little different.

Our Academic Partnerships enable students to enrol for a degree at a partnership institution closer to home, or engage in distance learning – even when they’re in the middle of the ocean. They are there for those people looking to return to education, or enhance their professional development. Full- or part-time; foundation degree to masters-level – we cater for a huge variety of needs and aspirations.

Many of our partners offer specialist degrees, unique facilities, and smaller class sizes at a competitive price. And as a student of two institutions, you get the best of both worlds; a supportive learning environment as part of a close-knit community, and a university-level qualification awarded by the University of Plymouth. You’ll enjoy not only the facilities and services your partnership institution provides, but also all of the additional support and resources you need from us, and you’ll automatically become a member of our Students’ Union, too.

We are continuing to grow the number of partner institutions and expand our academic community to new locations around the UK and overseas. Why not visit the Academic Partnerships page on our website for a full list of partners and for more details on studying with us?

One of our partners delivers this particular course – so please visit their website for full course details, entry requirements, tuition fees and information on what student life is like there. 

Open days

Partner college open days

This course is run at one of our partner colleges. Open days are held at the college and more details of these can be found on the college website. You'll find contact details below, on this page.

University of Plymouth open days

You are also very welcome to attend a University of Plymouth open day, to get a flavour of the courses you can progress to from a partner college. There will however be limited information on this specific course and college.

Studying with Cornwall College

Looking to study a specialist subject at university level? Want to do it in one of the most beautiful places in the world? Our wide range of courses gives you the chance to pick up the skills and experience you’ll need for your chosen profession.
Plymouth students working on a group project