Cultivate your curiosity with our varied programme of courses for all levels and interests.
Our Online Shop is closed for updates
Our Online Shop is closed for updates from Wednesday 20 May 2026. Short courses will be available to book online again from the afternoon of Thursday 21 May 2026. If you would like more information on short courses in the meantime, please contact us at education@rbge.org.uk
New Programme launched! Our new programme of courses running from April - December 2026 is now available to book
Are you looking to try something new? Develop your skills? Take the first steps towards a new career? Our short courses offer you a great place to start.
Our short courses range from taster sessions to one-day workshops to weekly classes. You will learn from educators whose passion for our cutting-edge research and expertise drives them to share their knowledge and skills with the public.
Our Short Course Gift Vouchers let recipients choose from beginner to specialist topics - including online options. A flexible gift that inspires curiosity and a deeper connection with plants.
RBGE reserves the right to cancel a short course, in which case you will be fully refunded for the course fee. We regret that RBGE is not liable for any expenses incurred due to a cancelled course.
Short courses require a minimum number of places to be sold in order for them to go ahead. If this minimum is not achieved by a week before the start date, we reserve the right to cancel the course and refund any places booked.
Some courses may not be able to run if the Garden has to close due to high winds or other severe weather. We will make every effort to give you plenty of notice of any cancellation. For this reason, it is important that you provide us with a telephone number and email.
Refunds
If you need to cancel your booking, please email education@rbge.org.uk as soon as possible. The cancellation is effective from the date your communication is received and is subject to the following charges:
For cancellations with more than 4 weeks' notice we will refund your payment less 15%.
For cancellations with 4 weeks' notice or less we will refund your payment less 50%.
For cancellations with 1 week's notice or less we regret we are unable to refund your payment unless there are exceptional circumstances. However if we are able to fill your place at short notice we will offer a 50% refund.
Transfers will be treated as a cancellation and a re-booking unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Substitutions will only be accepted if the substitution is for the full duration of a course.
This is an adult education programme and you must be 16 years of age or older to book and attend an in person course.
Discounts
RBGE members are eligible for a discounted rate on short courses.
Please note: we are unable to apply the member discount retrospectively or refund the difference after purchase.
Discounts
Members of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh receive a 10% discount on all short course fees. This is the second marked price for each course unless otherwise stated.
Refunds
If you need to cancel your booking, please inform the Education Department in writing (by post or email education@rbge.org.uk) as soon as possible. The cancellation is effective from the date your communication is received and is subject to the following terms:
You will receive a full refund within the 14-day cooling off period (within 14 days of payment).
We do not offer refunds after 14 days of payment except in exceptional circumstances and this would be at the discretion of the Biodiversity Education and Training Department.
You must be 16 years of age or older to apply and undertake online courses.
Terms and Conditions
Short Course Gift Vouchers are valid for in person and online RBGE Short Courses only and are not valid for Certificate or Diploma courses.
Short Course Gift Vouchers cannot be used for any other RBGE product or service.
Overpayment of course fees cannot be refunded (although several courses can be booked with a single voucher and vouchers can be taken as part-payment).
Short Course Gift Vouchers are valid until the date shown on the voucher. The course booked does not have to run before the expiry date of the voucher, this is simply the booking deadline.
Further Information
Members Discount
RBGE members are eligible for a discounted rate on short courses.
To receive the member price, you must enter your membership discount code at checkout. This code can be found in your latest members’ e-newsletter or Botanics magazine (page 27 for the current issue).
Please note: we are unable to apply the member discount retrospectively or refund the difference after purchase.
If you cannot locate your discount code, please contact the Membership Team before booking on 0131 248 2929 or members@rbge.org.uk.
Click here to find out more about joining as a member and supporting the work of RBGE.
Treat someone special with the gift of learning.
A course from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a meaningful gift for any special occasion and every purchase supports our work to build a positive future for plants, people and the planet.
We have a selection of courses available including evening courses, weekend courses and online courses.
