The ideal candidate must be able to work independently very effectively. Prospective candidates include those:

• who would like to have the opportunity to work or develop professionally in horticulture.
• with spare land on which they would like to cultivate and/or grow plants/crops, either for personal use or private enterprise.
• wanting to increase their knowledge in horticulture.

Applicants are expected to be skilled in the use of the Internet and computers, especially with respect to word-processing and spreadsheets (eg. Microsoft Word and Excel). If your skills are limited in this area, you may find it necessary to undertake an I.T. course before commencing the degree. Applicants should have a good command of the English language. If English is not your native language, please supply proof that your English language skills will allow you to cope with the course material and requirements (e.g. an IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent).

The program pathway is split into 4 separate qualifications: a Certificate, a Diploma, an Advanced Diploma, and finally, a Bachelor‘s degree. Each qualification builds upon the next one. You must complete 240 ECTS credits to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree. Each module is worth 10 ECTS credits and takes between 100 to 150 hours to complete.

1. Certificate in Horticulture

Worth 60 ECTS credits, you must complete any six (6) modules from the list below, including BHT101 Horticulture I, BHT102 Horticulture II and BGN102 Research Project I. 

2. Diploma in Horticulture

Worth 120 ECTS credits, together with the Certificate above, you must complete any six (6) modules from the list below, including BHT116 Horticulture III and BGN201 Research Project II.

3. Advanced Diploma in Horticulture

Worth 180 ECTS credits, together with the Diploma above, you must complete any six (6) modules from the list below including BGN202 Research Project III.

4. Bachelor of Science in Horticulture

Worth 240 ECTS credits, together with the Advanced Diploma above, you must complete any six (6) modules from the list below, including BBS301 Professional Practice for Consultants and BHT400 Final Project.

Twenty four (24) modules must be completed successfully for the degree to be awarded. A short introductory, online module on Academic Writing must be completed at the very start of the degree. This module should take only a few hours to complete and is not examinable.

All Horticultural Modules (10 ECTS credits each)

BHT101 Horticulture I
BHT102 Horticulture II
BHT116 Horticulture III (Plant Health)
BSC102 Plant Biochemistry
BSC104 Botany I
BGN104 Industry Meetings
BGN102 Research Project I
BHT104 Turf Care
BHT107 Plant Establishment and Maintenance
BHT106 Arboriculture I
BHT109 Landscaping I
BHT111 Landscape Construction
BHT110 Cottage Garden Design
BHT112 Outdoor Plant Production (Crops)
BHT114 Herb Production I
BHT113 Australian Plants I
BHT120 Nature Park Management I
BSC105 Machinery and Equipment
BHT105 Soil Management
BHT210 Irrigation I
BBS201 Project Management
BGN201 Research Project II
BGN103 Workshop I
BHT207 Plant Protection
BHT206 Plant Pathology
BHT209 Weed Management
BHT303 Turf Repair and Renovation
BHT208 Arboriculture II
BHT214 Landscaping II
BHT216 Playground Design I
BHT215 Natural Garden Design
BHT211 Cutting Propagation
BHT108 Propagation I
BHT212 Wholesale Nursery Management
BHT213 Garden Centre Management
BHT224 Hydroponics I
BHT221 Cut Flower Production
BHT223 Protected Plant Production
BHT222 Vegetable Production I
BHT217 Fruit Production – Warm Climate
BHT229 Scented Plants
BHT227 Medicinal Herbs
BHT228 Lavender Production
BHT232 Orchid Culture
BHT233 Palm & Cycad Culture
BHT231 Rose Culture
BHT234 Tropical Plant Culture
BHT225 Australian Plants II
BHT204 Nature Park Management II
BSC205 Engineering Applications
BSC204 Botany II (Available 2004)
BSC203 Biochemistry II
BHT236 Plant Breeding
BHT242 Planning Layout and Construction of Ornamental Gardens
BHT243 Restoring and Establishing Ornamental Gardens
BSC303 Statistics
BBS301 Professional Practice for Consultants
BGN202 Research Project III
BGN203 Workshop 2
BWR301 Technical Writing
BSC302 Biochemistry III
BHT203 Horticultural Management
BHT304 Horticultural Marketing
BHT305 Irrigation Management
BHT202 Sports Turf Management
BHT307 Water Garden Design
BHT306 Tissue Culture
BHT310 Mushroom Production
BHT219 Nut Production
BHT309 Berry Production
BHT320 Bonsai Plant Culture
BHT319 Annuals Plant Culture
BHT315 Interior Plant Culture
BHT314 Fern Culture
HT354 Eucalypts
BTR101 Ecotourism I
BSC206 Alternative Energy
BHT324 Amenity Horticulture I
BHT326 Operational Business Management I
BSC305 Plant Ecology
BHT213 Hydroponics II
BHT321 Hydroponics III
BHT340 Managing Notable Gardens

• Credit may be given for studies from other institutions deemed to be at a level equal to, or better than that of this course.
• Credit may be given on the basis of a formal Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL) application; for up to, but no more than, two thirds of the credit points.

The program is entirely online.  You do not need to travel to Ireland or anywhere else, because you can access all your modules and learning materials on our learning platform.

If need be, we can print the course materials and send them to you through the post at your cost.  You will have access to a personal tutor for each individual module.

There may be instances where a tutor may recommend that you buy or obtain additional texts or resources to help you in your studies. These are recommendations only.

Practical stuff: Given that this is a very hands-on programme, it is HIGHLY recommended that you have access to a garden where you can carry out your own planting or experiments or practical exercises - in fact, some of the assignments expect this of you. This is not a solely theoretical programme.

You get unlimited email support throughout the program, on every module/course. In some instances, telephone support can also be arranged.