RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development
We are pleased to announce that, starting from the 1st of October 2025, we will offer weekly start dates for this course, allowing you to begin at a time that suits you, while studying at your own pace. You will be enrolled on the course for two years, giving you ample time to learn the topics and sit the exams (there are three opportunities a year to sit RHS exams). More details will follow soon. If you have joined the waiting list, we will keep you updated.
Applications have now closed for the August 2025 intake of the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development course
You can sign up to our mailing list to be notified of spaces becoming available for August 2025 or to receive updates on the weekly start dates from October.
The course runs online and offers a flexible approach to learning to enable you to pace your studies with support from dedicated expert tutors.
Founded on qualifications first established in 1893, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Level 2 Certificate in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture qualification is:
This course is divided into two separate certificates which you can study independently or together, these are:
When both certificates are completed, students are awarded the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture. Each course can also be studied independently.
*RBGE does not offer the RHS Level 2 Practical Certificate. If you wish to complete the full level 2 certificate you must study this part elsewhere.
The new RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development covers:
New and updated topics reflecting best practice in 21st century horticulture based on extensive industry feedback, including:
As well as the following topics which will be integrated throughout the whole course:
The RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development is comprised of 2 units, with an accompanying exam for each.
The course is studied completely on our online learning platform, PropaGate and you will be provided with a complete set of course resources and learning support to help you pass the exams.
It is important to note that the course is self-directed study. Learners must be motivated and willing to engage in the course.
The RHS Level 2 Certificate does not require any existing qualifications or experience. All you need is an interest in the subject and a willingness to set aside several hours a week for study. Overall, we are looking for keen, enthusiastic ‘plants people’ of all ages, who would value the opportunity to study with RBGE and are motivated to gain the qualification.
We do advise that you should have some very basic confidence with computers as the course material and tutor support are delivered through PropaGate Learning, our online learning environment. There is further information on this in the handbook.
You will have access to forums where you can contact your tutors, technical support and other learners.
We encourage everyone to make the most of your course forums. These provide a way for you to collaborate with each other and to ask questions of peers and tutors. Our learning technologists are always on hand to assist you with any queries and can be contacted via the forums or by email.
We also hold webinars for exam revision support.
You need access to :
You should be a competent computer user with a basic understanding of standard computer applications such as using an internet browser, email, and word processing. More help can be found on the Help and Support pages (link opens in a new tab) on PropaGate Learning.
This type of course is best suited to highly motivated learners that can work independently.
The next opportnity to start this course will be in October 2025. Full details will be available on this page in due course.
The total fee for RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development is £975.
This is payable on application and includes PropaGate Learning course materials, tutor support as well as RHS fees - Exam and Certification Fees for Unit 1 and Unit 2, Online Exam Administration Fee, and Learner Registration Fee.
Further information on this is available in the applicants' handbook.
Registrations will open in October. To receive email updates, please sign up to our mailing list.
RBGE is no longer able to offer in person exams, therefore applicants must be willing to sit the exams online. The system requirements for online exams are included in the course handbook.
An experienced course team of tutors, learning technologists and administrators has developed an entire suite of online resources and activities to guide you through all elements of this certificate from registration right through to exams and course completion.
Your tutors will be Matthew Edwards, Erica Randall and Graham Young. You can contact your tutors via the forums and receive prompt answers to your questions. Your learning technology team are Robyn Braham, Gillian Davis and Jane Robertson and again you can contact us easily by forums or email and receive speedy technical help. Support with exams is also available via the forums and email.
"I’d like to say by way of feedback that the course content and delivery has been absolutely outstanding. It has way surpassed my expectations and as someone who hasn’t studied in over 30 years since university, and was a sceptic about online studying I am now a complete convert!!
Student, May 2024 intake
"I have had a ball! This past year has been a wonderful adventure into the world of garden theory....Learning on-line has been an eye opener with respect to how I learn and where I can improve as a learner...The team at RBGE have been a foundation of support in replying to queries and exam preparation on the Teams meetings-the online lessons have been well structured, researched and presented. The extra materials have been useful, and the exercises have embedded knowledge. Its is clear the team’s expertise is infinite. It has been a really good experience...Here and now, I want to say, ‘great job, well done!’ An extra I didn’t see was how into wildlife I would get. My garden has become very wild over the past year, we now have a family of five hedgehogs. Thanks so much."
Student, August 2023 intake
"I have to say a huge Thanks to everyone involved in putting this course together. It is brilliant! and much more than what I expected when I enrolled. As someone that works in conservation I was so pleasantly impressed with the amount of education with a focus on environmental restoration and protection given by the course. Before doing the course, I considered gardening a beautiful hobby but one that was probably not the best for the environment. I leave wanting to set up my business to help people adapt their gardens for improving wildlife and increasing environmental resilience. The PropaGate platform has been the first learning platform that I actually enjoy and love from a few I have used at universities for teaching and learning. Brilliantly put together and administered! I wish I could pay a fee to keep access to it for life!"
Student, May 2024 intake
