Horticulture & Land Management Revision — GCSE & A-Level | MasteryMind

Horticulture & Land Management Revision

Q: What careers can I pursue with Horticulture & Land Management?

Landscape Designer: Creating garden and public space designs for clients. Arborist: Managing, maintaining, and surgically treating trees. Groundskeeper: Maintaining sports grounds, parks, and amenity areas. Garden Centre Manager: Running retail plant and gardening businesses. Conservation Officer: Managing natural habitats and countryside areas.

Q: What subjects pair well with Horticulture & Land Management?

Agriculture: Plant science and land management overlap significantly Environmental Science: Conservation and biodiversity connect both areas Planning & Built Environment: Landscape design integrates with architectural planning

Master plant science, landscaping, and environmental land management.

Agored Cymru, AIM Qualifications, Ascentis, City & Guilds Limited, City and Guilds of London Institute, Crossfields Institute, Future (Awards and Qualifications) Ltd, Gateway Qualifications Limited, Highfield Qualifications, ITC First, Lantra Awards, Laser Learning Awards, NOCN, NPTC, OCN London, Open Awards, Open College Network Northern Ireland, Open College Network West Midlands, Open College Network Yorkshire and Humber Region trading as Certa, Pearson, Pearson Education Ltd, Qualifications Network, Royal Horticultural Society, SEG Awards, Skills and Education Group Awards, VetSkill, YMCA Awards aligned

Exam tips & practice Qs

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What is Horticulture & Land Management?

Horticulture & Land Management qualifications cover garden design, landscape construction, arboriculture, sports turf management, and countryside conservation. The UK horticulture industry is worth over £24 billion.

Students learn plant biology, propagation, pest and disease management, landscape design, machinery operation, and environmental land management. The sector combines scientific knowledge with creative design and practical outdoor skills.

Growing interest in green spaces, urban greening, biodiversity net gain requirements in planning, and the RHS-backed campaign for more horticulturists means excellent employment prospects for qualified practitioners.

What You'll Learn

Plant identification, biology, and propagation

Garden and landscape design principles

Pest, disease, and weed management

Arboriculture and tree surgery

Sports turf and grounds maintenance

Environmental land management schemes

Horticulture & Land Management at a Glance

~20,000 learners

students/year

Growing green sector

popularity

exam boards

Exam Boards & Specifications

We cover Horticulture & Land Management across all major UK exam boards. Select a board to explore topics, or view the official specification.

Agored Cymru

601/4737/4

28 topics covered

View full specification

AIM Qualifications

603/1852/1

49 topics covered

View full specification

Ascentis

601/7545/X

6 topics covered

View full specification

City & Guilds Limited

500/6358/3

680 topics covered

View full specification

600/6401/8

8 topics covered

View full specification

NPTC

Arborist

Managing, maintaining, and surgically treating trees.

Groundskeeper

Maintaining sports grounds, parks, and amenity areas.

Garden Centre Manager

Running retail plant and gardening businesses.

Conservation Officer

Managing natural habitats and countryside areas.

University Courses

Horticulture

Landscape Architecture

Ecology

Environmental Management

Arboriculture

Subjects That Pair Well with Horticulture & Land Management

These subjects complement Horticulture & Land Management and are often studied together

Agriculture

Plant science and land management overlap significantly

Environmental Science

Conservation and biodiversity connect both areas

Planning & Built Environment

Landscape design integrates with architectural planning

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Access our comprehensive library of past papers and mark schemes for Vocational Horticulture & Land Management.

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Horticulture & Land Management Revision

Overview

Horticulture & Land Management is a hands-on and science-based subject that explores the cultivation of plants, the design and maintenance of outdoor spaces, and the sustainable management of our natural environment. You will study topics such as plant biology, soil science, pest and disease control, landscape design, and the principles of conservation. This qualification often blends classroom learning with practical outdoor work, giving you valuable experience in real-world settings like gardens, parks, nurseries, and nature reserves.

Throughout the course, you’ll develop a wide range of practical skills — from propagation and pruning to operating machinery and managing turf. You’ll also learn to identify hundreds of plants, understand their growing requirements, and use design software to plan landscapes. Problem-solving, teamwork, and communication are key, as you’ll often work on group projects or with clients. For those with a passion for sustainability, the course covers organic methods, wildlife gardening, and climate-resilient planting, preparing you to tackle modern environmental challenges.

Studying Horticulture & Land Management can lead to further education such as Level 3 advanced diplomas, apprenticeships, or degrees in horticulture, landscape architecture, or environmental science. The skills you gain are in high demand across the UK, opening doors to careers in everything from grounds maintenance and arboriculture to garden design and conservation. Whether you aim to run your own gardening business, manage a country estate, or protect vital habitats, this subject provides a solid foundation for a rewarding and green career.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to start a horticulture course?

Entry requirements vary by level. For a Level 2 diploma, you typically need GCSEs at grades 9–3 in English, maths, and science, though many colleges accept learners with a keen interest and relevant experience. Level 3 courses often require four or five GCSEs at grades 9–4, including science. Some courses have no formal prerequisites, making them accessible to adult learners looking for a career change.

Is horticulture just gardening?

No, horticulture is a broad scientific and professional field that goes far beyond domestic gardening. It includes the study of plant propagation, crop production, landscape design, turf management, arboriculture, and conservation. While gardening is a part of horticulture, the subject also covers business management, ecology, and advanced technical skills, leading to diverse careers in commercial nurseries, sports turf, and environmental management.

Can I study horticulture online?

Many theoretical aspects can be studied online, such as plant identification, soil science, and design principles. However, because horticulture is a practical subject, most accredited courses require you to complete hands-on assessments and work placements. Blended learning options are becoming more common, combining online study with block-release practical sessions or assessed workplace competency.

Horticulture & Land Management Revision

What is Horticulture & Land Management?

What You'll Learn

Horticulture & Land Management at a Glance

Exam Boards & Specifications

Agored Cymru

AIM Qualifications

Ascentis

City & Guilds Limited

City and Guilds of London Institute

Crossfields Institute

Future (Awards and Qualifications) Ltd

Gateway Qualifications Limited

Highfield Qualifications

ITC First

Lantra Awards

Laser Learning Awards

NOCN

NPTC

OCN London

Open Awards

Open College Network Northern Ireland

Open College Network West Midlands

Open College Network Yorkshire and Humber Region trading as Certa

Pearson

Pearson Education Ltd

Qualifications Network

Royal Horticultural Society

SEG Awards

Skills and Education Group Awards

VetSkill

YMCA Awards

Coming Soon

Where Horticulture & Land Management Can Take You

Landscape Designer

Arborist

Groundskeeper

Garden Centre Manager

Conservation Officer

University Courses

Subjects That Pair Well with Horticulture & Land Management

Looking for Past Papers?

Ready to boost your Horticulture & Land Management grades?

What jobs can I get with a land management qualification?

How much can I earn as a horticulturist in the UK?

Are there apprenticeships in horticulture and land management?

What You'll Learn

Career Paths

Subject Pairings

University Pathways