Learning with Experts
RHS Level 2: Garden Planning Theory
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Course overview
RHS Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Horticulture is an internationally recognised qualification from the Royal Horticultural Society.
RHS Level 2: Garden Planning Theory includes modules RHS: Features & Planning, RHS: Garden Plants & Lawns, RHS: Vegetables & Fruits and RHS: Protected Environments (modules 5, 6, 7, and 8 from the pre-2022 Certificate syllabus).
Please note students will only be able to start this course until 1 April 2023, due to the RHS Level 2 new syllabus
The RHS online course is suitable for everyone from gardeners looking to expand their knowledge of plants, garden design and wildlife to those already in horticulture careers or planning a career change.
This course is taught by Dr Noel Kingsbury and Tom Cole - both qualified horticulture experts with experience teaching RHS students.
Choose the Expert option for personal feedback from the tutors on your projects and coursework.
Why study with Learning with Experts?We’re an RHS approved centre
Learn from qualified RHS experts Dr Noel Kingsbury and Tom Cole
Start your course at any time
Study at your own pace
Join a small friendly online classroom
Interact and learn from other students on your course
Complete gardening projects throughout the course
Choose Expert option for personal feedback on your projects from the tutors
The collection includes the following classes (each class can also be bought individually):
RHS: Features & Planning
RHS: Garden Plants & Lawns
RHS: Vegetables & Fruits
RHS: Protected Environments
Dr Noel Kingsbury
Writer, designer and horticultural consultant, Noel lives and breathes gardening. A true expert in his field, Noel has worked closely with world famous designer Piet Oudolf (among others). He is best known for his ecological approach to planting design.
Tom Cole
Tom Cole is an RHS Associate. He regularly lectures and has his own landscape and maintenance business. He is a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio Essex and a contributor for many garden magazines.
RHS Student MembershipAs a student at Learning with Experts, you will qualify for the £10 RHS student membership saving you £39.95 annually.
FAQsWhat is the RHS Level 2 Online Course?
The Royal Horticultural Society's Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture is an internationally recognised qualification designed for those just starting out in gardening as well as experienced gardeners.
To complete your qualification you need to sit the RHS Level 2 exam (optional and booked via the RHS).
Distance learners of RHS Level 2 (all Learning with Experts qualify for this) can now apply to take RHS Level 2 exams online
How is the course structured?To obtain the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture you study a collection of courses with us and then subsequently sit an exam with the RHS independently.
Our course, both at peer and expert levels, will leave you fully prepared for the final exam. However the expert level of the course will mean that you can interact with the world-class tutors, having them mark your assignments and provide you with your own personal feedback.
Each unit will be assessed by a separate written examination covering all learning outcomes specified in the unit. Examinations will be offered twice a year - normally in February and June.
Once all of the courses have been completed, you can book your exam through the RHS.
Do I need to have completed RHS Level 1?In short, no you don't.
The RHS Level 1 is a practical based qualification that is also offered by the RHS. However due to the practical nature of the course it is not available for study online, but only through approved RHS exam centres.
The RHS Level 2 is run entirely separate to RHS Level 1 and you don't need to have completed RHS Level 1 (or plan on completing it) in order to study for and pass RHS Level 2.
Is this qualification right for me?This qualification is available to anyone over 16 years of age, from anywhere in the world. Our tutors are used to teaching people for whom English is a second language. All that is required is a keen interest in gardening.
The RHS have designed this course to be ideal for:
anyone who is working as a professional horticulturist,
anyone who wants to make a career change into gardening and horticulture,
anyone who just wants to expand their gardening knowledge.
This collection is entirely flexible and fits around your schedule, so you can go at your own pace. However if you want to fully qualify you'll need to sit exams which normally take place either in February or June.
Each lesson includes:
An on-demand video (around 30 minutes) - presented by the expert
An assignment (which takes on average an hour to complete)
You have 1 week per lesson, which means up to 41 weeks to complete the entire course, however you can study as quickly as you like.
RHS Level 2 BooksWe asked tutor Tom Cole for his essential RHS Level 2 course books which will help you learn throughout the course.
Any further questions? We have a dedicated set of RHS Level 2 frequently asked questions, covering how and where exams take place, and how to book an exam place.
IMPORTANT:Please note: The RHS has now updated their syllabus for RHS Level 2, this course is still available to start, but you will need to take exams by Feb 2024.
View the new RHS Level 2 online course
Watch the trailer
Choose how you want to learn
Expert-level
Develop your learning further with marked assignments and personal tuition:
- Start the course whenever you like
- Tutor access for personalised assignment feedback & coaching
- Certificate of completion and CPD learning hours
- Online classroom with up to 20 classmates
- Lessons with expert videos & notes
- Group chat & direct message with tutor & classmates
- Lifetime access to videos, notes & classroom
Peer-level
Get the most from shared knowledge and community study:
- Start course whenever you like
- Practise what you learn with your peers
- Online classroom with up to 20 classmates
- 4 lessons with expert videos & notes
- 4 course assignments
- Group chat & direct message classmates
- Lifetime access to videos, notes & classroom
Why choose Learning with Experts?
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between PEER and EXPERT options?
At Peer and Expert level, you get access to the same core content and features:
- Video lesson tutorials led by your expert tutor
- Downloadable lesson notes
- Option to practise what you learn with lesson assignments
- Group learning within an online interactive classroom of up to 20 classmates
- Lifetime access to videos, notes and classroom
If you choose Expert level, you get all of the above plus the following:
- Personalised assignment feedback and coaching from your expert tutor
- Opportunity to interact with your expert tutor through a private messaging system
- Certificate of completion.
What is an online classroom?
Our online classroom has been developed to allow you to learn from our experts in a sociable environment alongside up to 20 other students. After each video tutorial led by your expert, you will be encouraged to practice what you have learned with optional assignments - these can be seen by the other students in your class, who are free to share their own thoughts and questions with you.
You will be encouraged to take part in an ongoing class discussion where you can discuss ideas, post images or work, and comment on each other’s assignments. It’s a great way to learn from other like-minded people who share your passion from all over the world.
This means not only do you benefit from people who are outstanding in their field, but also from a close-knit group of like-minded people whom you can learn alongside. Group learning has shown to greatly improve not just the experience of studying, but also how well you retain the knowledge, and we have built our classroom experience around this fact.
When can I start my course and how long will it take?
You can start your course any time within 12 months after receipt of your purchase confirmation email. Once you start, you’ll have lifetime access — meaning you can revisit the lesson videos and notes whenever you want.
Our courses are designed so that you can study at your own pace, some prefer to binge learn while others like to spread their studying over a longer period of time - it’s completely up to you. To give you a rough time frame, each lesson video is approximately 30-40 minutes long, and we recommend that you spend around an hour on each assignment.
How often can I speak with the Expert?
If you opt for the Expert version of your course, the time you have to interact with your tutor is limited to course length. You will have one week per lesson to chat to your tutor and to have your assignments marked, and during this period you can ask them as many questions as you would like.
To find out the length of each course, head to the product page and look at the Course outline to see how many lessons it contains. e.g. a four lesson course assumes that you will have completed the assignments within four weeks.
Your tutor interaction period will start as soon as you enter the classroom. If you find that you are struggling to complete the assignments in the allocated time or you wish to put this function on hold, just get in contact with one of the team via the support button and we will help you out.
Support and full FAQs
If you need any help with a course, be it one you’ve started already, or one you are looking to purchase, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Support email address, or view the full FAQ’s here.
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