Garden Design, BA Hons

Involving the study of creative arts in combination with natural science and the craft of the gardener, graduates of this degree programme are well equipped to take up positions as garden designers and landscape consultants.

You will be encouraged to visit a range of gardens, parks and landscapes throughout the UK and Europe to develop your design skills and gain a further understanding of garden planning. New topics and interests will be constantly covered so as to stretch and stimulate.

This programme is recognised by the Landscape Institute and is a progression route towards full membership of this professional body.

Hadlow College boasts a 256-hectare estate containing woodland and aquatic habitats, landscape training centre, design studio and dedicated science laboratories.

Aims of the programme:

To develop students' understanding of design principles and plant knowledge.
To help students to understand the needs of the client and produce innovative and traditional designs.
To teach students the history of garden design and its influences on the modern world.

UCAS code

K311 H BA/Gdes

School

Architecture, Design and Construction

Location

Full-time: Hadlow College (years 1 and 2) and Avery Hill Campus (year 3)

Part-time: Hadlow College (years 1 and 2) and Avery Hill Campus (years 3 and 4)

Attendance

3 years full-time (3 days per week)
4 years part-time (1 day per week)

Entry requirements

Applicants should have:

240 UCAS points

FROM A-levels, preferably one in a science-based subject

OR a Level 3 vocational qualification.

PLUS all applicants should also have a GCSE grade C or above in English, maths and science.

• In addition, applicants will either need a Level 3 qualification in art, or be able to demonstrate an artistic portfolio at interview.

• Life experiences are taken into account when considering applications.

• Applications from mature students are welcome.

Assessment

Students are assessed through practical work, plant identification tests, design portfolio presentations, reports, internal examinations and computer-aided design work.

Career options

Graduates can find creative, managerial, advisory, consultancy and technical positions in the garden design, landscaping and construction industries.

Year 1

Visual Studies (15 credits)
Basic Design (15 credits)
Plant Science and Soils (15 credits)
Surveying (15 credits)
Hard and Soft Materials 1 and 2 (30 credits)
Garden Management for Garden Designers (15 credits)
Garden Design CAD (15 credits)

Year 2

Garden Design 1: Sites and Materials (15 credits)
Garden Design 2: Ideas and Theories (15 credits)
Planting Design (15 credits)
Garden Design 3: Client and Process (15 credits)
Garden Design Site Practices (15 credits)
Construction and Planting (15 credits)
Digital Landscapes (15 credits)
Ecology and Conservation (15 credits)

Year 3

Garden Design Masterplan (30 credits)
Garden Design Development (15 credits)
Garden Design Detail (15 credits)
Professional Studies (15 credits)
Advanced Representation (15 credits)
History and Philosophy of Garden Design 1 (15 credits)
Historic Garden Conservation (15 credits)

Your time at university should be enjoyable and rewarding, and it is important that it is not spoilt by unnecessary financial worries. We recommend that you spend time planning your finances, both before coming to university and while you are here. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.

Find out more about our fees and the support available to you at our: