RBGE Advanced Certificate in Botanical Illustration

This course is an extension of our Certificate course. It is aimed at people who have either successfully completed our Certificate with an award of Merit or Distinction, or to students with equivalent skills and experience. We expect applicants to have a good grasp of the fundamental skills of botanical illustration: an interest in botany, close observation, accurate drawing, colour matching and painting plant subjects to completion.

The course is not a pre-requisite for joining the RBGE Diploma in Botanical Illustration, though you may find it valuable if you wish to develop your portfolio, gain confidence, and simply enjoy expanding your skills.

For learners aged 16 and over. It is important to note that this course will be delivered in English.

The course is designed to consolidate illustration techniques to depict the close observation of plants through drawing and painting. After choosing a seasonal flowering or fruiting branch, you will use the essential skills of accurate line drawing, modelling, colour mixing, paint application and composition to make a final piece of art to a square format. 

This course is designed to foster independent learning, taking your knowledge, and extend your botanical art skills, to build further confidence in your illustration work.

This certificate is designed to further expand skills acquired on the RBGE Certificate in Botanical Illustration or develop a portfolio for RBGE Diploma in Botanical Illustration if you wish to take your studies to a professional level.

This course consists of three units, with a submission at the end of each.

Students will be creating an original painting of a fruiting or flowering branch of a plant in the families of Rosaceae, Malpighiaceae, Theaceae or Rutaceae.

This certificate is designed to further expand skills acquired on the RBGE Certificate in Botanical Illustration or develop a portfolio for RBGE Diploma in Botanical Illustration if you wish to take your studies to a professional level.

Some theory provided to aid your understanding (in the form of short, highly visual presentations), but the course is designed to be delivered and assessed using a predominantly practical approach.

Please note there will be no face-to-face teaching, or live demonstrations on this course. You will work through the material in your time and at your pace while following the course timetable.

The Advanced Certificate in Botanical Illustration is a formal qualification, and students must therefore pass ongoing assessment to achieve the award. Students are required to build up a course portfolio containing notes, visuals and exercises. Both the portfolio and the final piece will be assessed and the marks combined to provide the final grade. There is also an element of continuing self-assessment and evaluation within the programme.

Accessing the course

The course is delivered using PropaGate Learning, our online learning platform. You will be able to access course materials such as demonstration videos, activities, notes and galleries, together with prompt tutor and technical support, discussion forums, and an upload area for your drawings and paintings. 

Time required

The online certificate runs for approximately 3 months. You will be expected to spend around 15 hours per week on your course activities.

Delivery

This is a predominantly practical course, designed to teach a foundation level of skill, understanding and competence.

There are no live / online classes as part of the course. You will work through the material in your time and at your pace while following the course timetable. Work is assessed online so there is no requirement to send us your work. Written feedback and grade will be given after the final submission.

The online certificate runs for approximately 3 months.

This is a predominantly practical course, designed to develop and expand existing skills, understanding and competence gained while studying the RBGE Certificate in Botanical Illustration

There are no live / online classes as part of the course. You will work through the material in your time and at your pace while following the course timetable.

Using PropaGate Learning, our online learning platform, you will be able to access course materials such as demonstration videos, activities, notes and galleries, together with prompt tutor and technical support, discussion forums, and an upload area for your drawings and paintings. Work is assessed online so there is no requirement to send us your work.

2026/27 Course Dates

• Autumn Intake: 7 October 2026 – 27 January 2027
• Spring Intake: 31 March 2027 – 30 July 2027

The cost is £520 The full payment is required on acceptance of a place. Fees do not include the cost of any materials required to complete the course.

Tutor support takes place on our PropaGate learning environment forums. There is also a private messaging facility within the course where you can contact your tutor or the online learning team directly. We aim to respond to all posts within three days but often reply much sooner.

Our learning technologists are on hand via the forums/email to help you when you need assistance - you will receive a reply by the next working day.

You will also be able to interact with and take advice from fellow students via our dedicated forums.

This is a practical course so you must have basic drawing and watercolour materials. A detailed list will be sent to you once you enrol on the course. For the online course, access to the internet will be essential. You will also need access to a digital camera and/or a scanner. In most instances a good camera image or clear phone camera image is sufficient.

Places on these courses are limited. Candidates will be selected on the basis of the answers given to the questions on the application form. If all applications are of a high standard, places will be allocated based on the date the applications were received.

Applications open Friday 10th July at 9:00am for our October course and will close on Sunday 23^rd  Aug, 11:00pm

To apply please fill in the application form 

Future Courses

If you would like to receive details of the next course when they become available, please complete the enquiry form.