The practical part of the qualification is not outlined here, as this qualification cannot be completed online. Enrolling at an education centre is the only way to achieve the practical qualification.
The information on this page relates to the theory part of the new qualification, i.e. The ‘Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development’ which started in September 2022:
The full outline of the new theory syllabus is here:
This document lists elements which are studied in each topic.
Page 5 gives an overview of units 1 and 2.
Key features of the course:
Designed to be completed in one academic year but can be studied and completed at your own pace if you are distance learning.
- All qualification providers (education centres such as colleges and distance learning providers) are vetted and approved by the RHS. This ensures the quality of the course. A list of approved centres can be found here: https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/qualifications-and-training/rhs-qualifications/find-a-centre
The theory qualification is made up of 2 separate units called Unit 1 and Unit 2. You must pass each unit to achieve the Theory qualification.
Unit 1 studies the following 4 topics:
1. Plant Science 1
2, Plant Health
3. Plant Nutrition
4. Plant Specification
Unit 2 studies the following topics:
5. Plant Science II
6. Planting Styles
7. Horticulture and Society
8. Biodiversity
Exams are taken on set dates in February, June and October. If you are studying the theory qualification with us, you must take the exams online.
Format of the exams:
Each exam for Unit 1 and Unit 2 is structured as follows:
You have 2 hours (120 minutes) to complete a Unit 1 or Unit 2 exam. There are 3 sections in each unit exam:
| Section A (20%) | Section B (50%) | Section C (30%) |
|---|---|---|
| Forced choice questions: similar to multichoice but they may be phrased differently. There is a range of answers provided and you choose the correct answer. Forced choice questions are worth a total of 20 marks (20%) | Short answer questions. These questions ask for explanations, named plant examples, comparisons of concepts, descriptions of processes etc. Short answer questions are worth a total of 50 marks (50%) | Choose 2 long form questions from a choice of 4 questions. This gives candidates the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge across all topics. Each question is worth 15 marks or 15%. (A total of 30%) |
Grading of Exam result:
Both units must be passed to achieve the qualification.
The overall mark will then be graded, as follows:
- 0-49% Fail
- 50-64% Pass
- 65-79% Merit
- 80%+ Distinction
The RHS has past exam papers for unit 1 and unit 2 available here:
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