Free Level 2 Horticulture Course in Sheffield. Classes run at The Sheffield College Hillsborough Campus, full-time during the day. Over one year, you'll build practical skills in growing plants, maintaining outdoor spaces, and working with soil and tools. This free horticulture course covers the knowledge and hands-on techniques used in professional gardening and grounds maintenance. You'll have an initial assessment to confirm the level is right for you. The centre will use it to plan your learning.
Who this course is for
The Sheffield College is a thriving further education college situated in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. We have 4 main campuses across the city, including our City Campus, Hillsborough Campus, Olive Grove Campus and Peaks Campus. We offer a wide range of Apprenticeships, vocational courses, A Levels, professional courses and university level courses. Please go to our website www.sheffcol.ac.uk for full details.
Entry requirements
Please check our website for the most up-to-date entry requirement for this course.
What you will learn
You'll develop practical plant growing and cultivation skills
You'll learn how to maintain and care for outdoor spaces and gardens
You'll study soil types, plant health, and growing conditions
You'll use and maintain a range of horticultural tools and equipment
You'll learn about seasonal tasks and how to plan garden work through the year
You'll understand basic principles of landscape and grounds maintenance
How you will learn
You'll learn through classroom sessions and practical, hands-on activities. Assessment is based on practical tasks and observations carried out during your training, alongside written or portfolio-based evidence. Your progress will be assessed throughout the course rather than through a single end exam.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. The Sheffield College Hillsborough Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Gardener: maintaining private or public gardens and green spaces
Grounds maintenance operative: keeping parks, sports grounds, and estates
Nursery worker: growing and selling plants in a garden centre or nursery
Landscape labourer: supporting landscaping and outdoor construction teams
Greenkeeper: caring for golf courses and sports turf
Cemetery and parks operative: maintaining council-managed outdoor spaces
What you could study next
Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture: deepen your knowledge and move into supervisory or specialist roles in grounds management or landscape design.
Level 2 or Level 3 Apprenticeship in Horticulture or Landscape Gardening: earn while you learn and gain employer-recognised experience on the job.
Level 3 Award in Horticulture: a shorter qualification focused on a specific area such as plant science or garden design.
