The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) Certificate in Practical Horticulture is a unique course that focuses on the essential skills needed by budding horticulturists today.
Building on over 100 years of professional horticulture training at the garden, this compact course has been designed to give students a solid grounding in horticultural techniques.
As a Certificate in Practical Horticulture (CPH) student you will learn key practical skills, taught by experienced and enthusiastic horticulturists. The essential theory behind the practice is explained, then most of the time is spent learning practical skills and getting 'your hands dirty'.
Frequently asked questions
The RBGE Certificate in Practical Horticulture (CPH) is a unique course that focuses on the essential skills required by budding horticulturists. The course is organised into individual modules that cover a broad range of knowledge, skills and techniques:
Looking at plants - an introduction
Soil care
Feeding & watering
Seed propagation
Vegetative propagation
Growing media & potting
Planting
Pruning & training
Please note this is the RBGE Certificate in Practical Horticulture. Completion of this course does not count towards the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Level 2 Diploma.
You do not need prior knowledge or experience to apply for this course. Enthusiasm and motivation is all that is required! This course complements the RHS Level 2 Theory qualification and can be completed before, alongside or after studying the RHS theory course.
Please note this course does not count towards the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Level 2 Diploma.
Details of the courses starting in 2026 will be published shortly.
We have three study options for you:
Intensive two-week summer school
This option delivers the course over nine days in three-day teaching blocks, followed by an exam. This includes weekdays and weekends.
Weekly
This option delivers the course weekly on Fridays. This option starts in early spring and spans three months.
Monthly
This option delivers the course monthly with the option to attend on a Saturday or a Sunday. This course starts Aug/Sept and finishes in June.
To be notified when applications open, please complete the enquiry form.
Students who attend all ten days and pass the assessment are awarded the RBGE Certificate in Practical Horticulture. The course is assessed through a practical exam (80% of grade) and online quizzes (20% of grade).
Full attendance is required to complete the course.
The course fees are £895. Full payment for the course is required on acceptance of a place.
This is a practical course so each module will involve indoor and physical outdoor work. Each week you will need to bring:
Appropriate outdoor clothes (even indoor workstations can be cold)
Safety toe-capped boots (steel or composite)
Bypass secateurs
Packed lunch
After you are accepted on the course, we can advise you about what to buy and where to buy these items.
Applications for the 2026-27 will open shortly. If you would like to receive details of the next course when they become available, please complete the enquiry form.
As well as being delivered at The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, this course is being taught in partner organisations in the UK: Glasgow Botanic Gardens and Norfolk School of Gardening
To ensure that quality and standards are maintained, The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh administers the assessment and qualification.
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) reserves the right to cancel this course. The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh cannot be liable for additional costs incurred in the event of cancellation.
If the course does not proceed, any money paid to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh would be refunded in full.
Fees will not be refundable should you not complete or pass the course.
You will receive a refund minus a £50 administration fee if you withdraw from the course more than two weeks before the course begins. If you wish to withdraw from the course, you must inform us of your decision by email. Cancellation by email is effective from the date on which you send us your message.
We will be unable to offer a refund after the start of the course.
If you are unable to complete the course due to an unavoidable absence you may be able to join another cohort/class subject to the availability of space. Fees may apply.
What our students say
"The CPH has pushed me in a number of ways. There are lots of different career paths within horticulture and it's definitely helped me figure out where I want to be in this sector. It gave me confidence to apply to be a WRAGS trainee."
