City & Guilds
Level 3
QN: 500/8402/1
Curriculum Active
City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Horticulture
Official qualification regulated by Ofqual, awarded by City & Guilds. Classified as a Vocationally-Related Qualification. Total guided learning hours: 1470 hours.
Qualification Level
Level 3
Awarding Body
City & Guilds
Syllabus Units
25 Units
Guided Hours
1470 hrs
Instant access to interactive lessons, quizzes, and spaced revision.
Course Syllabus & Study Modules
Complete breakdown of verified curriculum topics and learning objectives.
1
Establish and Manage Exterior Plant Displays
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to plan and establish annual and herbaceous plant displays outdoors.
- Be able to plan
- establish and maintain plants in outdoor containers.
- Understand the selection and use of plants in temporary and permanent outdoor displays.
- Understand the establishment and maintenance of rose gardens.
- Be able to manage the establishment and maintenance of trees and shrubs.
2
Establish and Manage Interior Plant Displays
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to establish and manage plants in a permanent indoor setting.
- Understand the establishment of permanent interior plant displays.
- Understand the management of permanent interior plant displays.
- Be able to establish and manage temporary interior plant displays.
- Understand the management of interior plant displays.
3
Maintain Turf in Parks and Gardens
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Know the factors affecting the maintenance of established fine and coarse turf.
- Be able to maintain grassed areas.
- Be able to repair and renovate grassed areas.
- Be able to prepare an annual maintenance programme for a high quality turf area.
- Understand wildflower meadows and low maintenance swards.
4
Manage Amenity Turf
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to manage amenity turf to Performance Quality Standards (PQS).
- Understand the management of amenity turf surfaces to Performance Quality Standards.
- Be able to evaluate maintenance operations and their contribution to overall quality.
- Understand the determination and maintenance of the level of quality of amenity turf surfaces.
5
Manage Plant Propagation Activities
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Know how to develop propagation schedules.
- Be able to manage vegetative propagation.
- Be able to manage seed propagation.
- Know how to manage the aftercare of propagated plants.
- Understand seed treatments and supply.
6
Manage Sports Turf Surfaces - Association Football
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to manage association football pitches to Performance Quality Standards (PQS).
- Understand the management of association football pitches to Performance Quality Standards.
- Be able to evaluate maintenance operations and their contribution to overall quality.
- Understand the determination and maintenance of the level of quality of association football pitches.
7
Manage Sports Turf Surfaces - Bowling Greens
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to manage bowling green surfaces to Performance Quality Standards (PQS).
- Understand the management of bowling greens to Performance Quality Standards.
- Be able to evaluate maintenance operations and their contribution to overall quality.
- Understand the determination and maintenance of the level of quality of bowling greens
8
Manage Sports Turf Surfaces - Cricket
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to manage cricket surfaces to Performance Quality Standards (PQS).
- Understand the management of cricket surfaces to Performance Quality Standards.
- Be able to evaluate maintenance operations and their contribution to overall quality.
- Understand the determination and maintenance of the level of quality of cricket surfaces.
9
Manage Sports Turf Surfaces - Golf
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to manage golf surfaces to Performance Quality Standards (PQS).
- Understand the management of golf surfaces to Performance Quality Standards.
- Be able to evaluate maintenance operations and their contribution to overall quality.
- Understand the determination and maintenance of the level of quality of golf surfaces.
10
Manage Sports Turf Surfaces - Horseracing
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to manage horseracing surfaces to Performance Quality Standards (PQS).
- Understand the management of horseracing surfaces to Performance Quality Standards.
- Be able to evaluate maintenance operations and their contribution to overall quality.
- Understand the determination and maintenance of the level of quality of horseracing surfaces.
11
Manage Sports Turf Surfaces - Rugby Pitches
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to manage rugby pitches to Performance Quality Standards (PQS).
- Understand the management of rugby pitches to Performance Quality Standards.
- Be able to evaluate maintenance operations and their contribution to overall quality.
- Understand the determination and maintenance of the level of quality of rugby pitches.
12
Manage Sports Turf Surfaces - Tennis
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to manage tennis courts to Performance Quality Standards (PQS).
- Understand the management of tennis courts to Performance Quality Standards.
- Be able to evaluate maintenance operations and their contribution to overall quality.
- Understand the determination and maintenance of the level of quality of tennis courts.
13
Manage Winter and Summer Sports Turf Surfaces
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to manage winter and summer sports turf surfaces to Performance Quality Standards (PQS).
- Understand the management of winter and summer sports turf surfaces to Performance Quality Standards.
- Be able to evaluate maintenance operations and their contribution to overall quality.
- Understand the determination and maintenance of the level of quality of sports turf surfaces.
14
Prepare Landscape and Garden Design Briefs
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to present a fee bid and form of agreement to meet client’s requirements.
- Understand procedures to produce a fee bid and form of agreement.
- Be able to undertake site evaluation and analysis.
- Understand site evaluation.
- Understand landscape and garden site problems.
15
Understand and Carry Out Identification, Planting and Care of Trees
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to identify trees and shrubs.
- Understand the site and establishment requirements of trees.
- Be able to plant trees and shrubs.
- Understand the planting of trees and shrubs.
- Know the aftercare requirements of trees and shrubs.
16
Understand Historical Influences on the Development of Gardens
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the styles of gardens through history.
- Be able to use historical data to influence current plans.
- Understand British gardens.
- Understand the introduction of plants into the UK.
17
Understand the Principles and Identify the Signs of Pests and Diseases of Trees
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the principles of pathology and the common causes of disease.
- Be able to identify the signs and symptoms of common biotic and abiotic pathogens.
- Understand common biotic pathogens.
- Understand monitoring, prevention and control measures of common bioticpathogens.
18
Understand the Principles and Practices of Landscape and Garden Design
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the elements and principles of design as they relate to landscape and garden design.
- Be able to produce landscape and garden design plans.
- Understand the production of concept plans.
- Be able to produce a range of plans and visualisations.
- Understand the production and delivery of presentation plans and visualisations to the client.
19
Understand the Principles of Organic Crop Production
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the principles of organic crop production.
- Understand the importance of soil fertility in an organic system.
- Understand growing methods and markets for organic crops.
- Understand methods of pest, disease and weed management in organic systems.
20
Understand the Principles of Soil Science
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to investigate soil characteristics
- Understand how soil characteristics affect plant growth and development
- Understand how soil characteristics affect plant selection
21
Undertake Horticultural Production Techniques - Outdoors
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Know the requirements of site preparation and planning for outdoor crops.
- Be able to prepare sites and establish outdoor horticultural crops.
- Be able to manage outdoor horticultural crops.
- Understand harvesting and grading requirements of outdoor horticultural crops.
22
Undertake Horticultural Production Techniques - Protected
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Know how to plan production of crops in protected growing environments.
- Be able to establish crops in containers in protected environments.
- Be able to establish crops in the ground in protected environments.
- Understand the maintenance, harvesting and grading requirements of protected horticultural crops.
23
Undertake Identification, Selection and Use of Ornamental Plants
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to identify plants.
- Understand the factors that affect the selection of plants.
- Be able to prepare ornamental planting designs.
- Understand the planting of trees and shrubs.
- Know the aftercare requirements of ornamental plants.
24
Undertake Site Surveying, Levelling and Setting Out
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to measure site dimensions and levels.
- Understand site survey equipment and techniques.
- Understand the presentation of survey data.
- Be able to set out on the ground from plans, including shapes and levels.
25
Undertake Tree and Shrub Pruning and Maintenance
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand pruning as a means of maintaining trees and shrubs.
- Be able to prune and maintain trees and shrubs.
- Be able to assess trees and shrubs for potential failure.
Regulatory & Verification Details
- Qualification Number (QN)
- 500/8402/1
- Regulated Status
- Available to learners
- Awarding Body
- City & Guilds
- Qualification Type
- Vocationally-Related Qualification
- Operational Start
- Sept 2010
- Operational End
- Aug 2026