BTEC Advanced Certificate in Garden Design

BTEC Advanced Certificate in Garden Design

Introduction
This course introduces garden design at a more professional level than the adult leisure courses. Although some who join the course do so purely for pleasure, many use it as a spring board into a new career. It is an ideal preparation or 'access course' for those interested in starting into a higher education level course who have not got formal entry qualifications or need easing back into the classroom. It also attracts people who are already working in the industry, such as landscape contractors, nursery growers, and those in related professions.

About the course
You will attend formal lectures and workshops in a classroom equipped with drawing tables, whilst surveying sessions take place in the college grounds. You will be working hands-on, creating your own designs, and importantly you will benefit from the input of fellow students in addition to an industry experienced tutor. There are also opportunities for students to take part in Garden Design Division visits to gardens and study tours as well as involvement in Show builds.
The evening classes start in mid September and February and run for 15 sessions with an additional Saturday morning session. Each session lasts approximately two and half hours.
Daytime classes are offered running for 16 weeks as part day, mid morning to early afternoon.
This course is offered based at Outreach Centres in addition to the main Reaseheath Campus in Nantwich. Please contact the college for details of where it is currently being offered.
You will require enthusiasm and motivation. No prior design experience is necessary, though an interest in drawing is useful.
You will be assessed by two assignments: a short illustrated report on the principles of design and their application garden design; and a design assignment for a small domestic garden.

The course includes

Module One: Client and Site Assessment
How to interview clients, techniques in site surveying, measuring and analysis, contract documentation, client brief, how to draw up an agreement, planning issues, setting out a design on the ground.

Module Two: basic plan drawing.
Production of presentation plans to scale, hand drawn graphic techniques, representation of soft and hard landscape features, two dimensional cross section and elevation drawings. Introduction of colour rendering plans.

Module Three: Principles and Practice of Garden Design
Exploring the major themes in garden history that influence garden design, modern trends, the principles of design and their application. Use of different design concepts covering formal and informal styles. Producing outline costings.

Length of the course

• 16 weeks
  

What qualifications will i gain?

• BTEC Edexcel Advanced Certificate in Garden Design
  

Course options after this programme

• University College Diploma in Garden Design
  
• FdSc in Garden and Landscape Design
  

Career options

• Garden Designer (dependent upon prior experience.)
  

Course costs
£395