HND Horticulture at University of the Highlands and Islands

Programme overview

A hands-on HND deepening horticultural knowledge and practical skills, developed with plant specialists and employers. Students learn from horticulturists, botanists and ecologists, with live online lectures, practical work, field trips to Scottish gardens, and project-based assessment.

Duration: Full time: 1 year; Part time: 2 years; Part time modular: 34 weeks | Intake: September | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 is the HNC Horticulture. Year 2 modules are Advanced plant biology, Applied horticultural research, Botanical and historic garden horticulture, Ecological and conservation garden horticulture, Horticulture: professional practice, and Horticulture: sustainability and innovation.

Career pathways

Management of a botanical or historic garden, management of public or private green space, management of production nurseries, horticultural retail, market gardens or community enterprises, botanical sciences, business start-up, conservation and habitat restoration. Progression to BSc (Hons) Horticulture.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Entry to year 1 (HNC Horticulture): 1 Scottish Higher at grade C or above, or 1 A level at grade D or above; alternatively NC Horticulture (SCQF level 5 or above), City and Guilds Horticulture (level 6), SVQ 3 in a horticulture-related subject, or another equivalent SCQF level 6 course. Direct entry to year 2 with HNC Horticulture or another related subject. International applicants: IELTS Academic overall 5.5 with no element below 5.0 (online study from overseas); IELTS for UKVI Academic 5.5 with no element below 5.0 or LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (60 overall, no element below 55) for on-campus Student Route Visa study.

Domestic applicants: GBP 1,285 a year (2026/27). Scotland-domiciled students with a Scottish term-time address (includes EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status); full-time Source

International applicants: GBP 9,460 a year (2026/27). Full-time per year; part-time study is not open to applicants needing Student Route visa sponsorship Source

Intake: September

Duration: Full time: 1 year; Part time: 2 years; Part time modular: 34 weeks

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