RBGE Advanced Certificate in Botanical Illustration
Available to study online or at an attended course at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
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The RBGE Advanced Certificate in Botanical Illustration (ACBI) is a great way to consolidate the techniques of paint, pencil and close observation of plants that you learned in the RBGE Certificate in Botanical Illustration.
This course is designed to help foster your independent learning, take your knowledge, skills and confidence further, build your portfolio of botanical artworks and at the same time deepen your understanding of the special botanical view of plants.
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.
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Study Options
Attended course
We are currently working on dates for the next academic year. To be kept up to date, please fill out our course enquiry form.
Online course
Applications for the April 2024 intake are now closed
Course Cost: £495
Frequently asked Questions
- What does the course cover?
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This course consists of three units, with a submission at the end of each.
Students will be creating an original painting of a fruiting branch of a plant in the family Rosaceae.
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.
- What is the structure of the course?
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The course consists of these units:
Course Timetable
ACBI-01
Unit 1 Exploration
ACBI-02
Unit 2- Development
ACBI-03
Unit 3- Production, Final Submission
Some theory will be 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 AdvCBI is a formal qualification and students must therefore pass on-going assessment to achieve the award. As with the CBI, 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.
- When does the course run?
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Future Courses
Applications for the April 2024 intake are now closed.
If you would like to receive details of the next course when they become available, please complete the enquiry form.
- What is the format of the online course?
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Online Course
The online certificate runs for approximately 3 months, please see the course handbook for dates.
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.
Taught Course
The taught certificate runs for approximately 3 months, please see the course handbook for dates.
Students must attend all four day attended sessions of the Advanced Certificate in Botanical Illustration and submit their final painting and portfolio by the due deadline. Students who successfully complete all parts of the course are awarded the RBGE Advanced Certificate in Botanical Illustration. We advise that students need to put aside around 10 hours per week for study at home.
- Do I need any prior knowledge?
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This course is an extension of our Certificate course. It is aimed at people who have successfully completed the RBGE Certificate in Botanical Illustration with an award of Merit or Distinction, so we expect students 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.
You must also be able to read and write in English and have access to a computer with a reliable internet connection.
- How much does the course cost?
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The cost is £495. The full payment is required on acceptance of a place.
- What support will I get for the online course?
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Tutor support takes place on our PropaGate learning environment forums. There is also a private messaging activity within the course where you can contact your tutor or the online learning team directly.
The advantage of an online course is that you can contact us at any time and receive a quick response. Replies from the Online Learning Team (for practical technical support) and from your tutors is very prompt, enabling you to make progress with your learning.
You will also be able to interact with and take advice from fellow students.
- What will I need?
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This is a practical course so you must have basic drawing and watercolour painting materials. A detailed list can be found in the course handbook. For the online course additional equipment such as a scanner will be required.
- How do I apply?
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Future Courses
Applications for the April 2024 intake are now closed.
We're currently working on dates for the 2024/25 academic year. If you would like to receive details of the next course when they become available, please complete the enquiry form.