The RHS Level 3 Certificate covers 8 Topics comprised of 2 Units.
Each Unit has 4 Topics:

UNIT 1

1  Horticultural Heritage

• The history of horticultural space
• Key influences on the development of horticultural space
• The importance of horticultural heritage
• The impact of horticultural heritage on gardens management.

2  Plant Knowledge

• The role of exploration on plant diversity
• Plant information sources
• Applied plant knowledge
• Managing plants within botanic and other gardens.

3 Plant Selection and Cultivation

• Selecting plants for a purpose
• Plant procurement
• Combining plants
• Planning plant maintenance.

4 Plant Propagation

• Propagation facilities
• Planning propagation
• Advanced propagation techniques
• Development of propagation protocols.

UNIT  2

1 Garden Styles and Specialist Areas.

• Garden styles and areas
• Planting styles
• Hard landscaping elements
• Management of trees.

2 Productive Growing

• Growing systems
• Selection of crops and planning cropping
• Optimising yield
• Research and development in productive growing.

3 Gardens Management

• Managing people in a garden
• Managing material resources in a garden
• Planning projects and maintenance activities
• Maintenance standards.

4.  Gardens, People and Spaces

• Gardens and visitors
• Gardens and their communities
• Wellbeing
• Feedback and evaluation

Please Note:  The Qualification Wide Outcomes (QWO) that formed part of the Level 2 course, include issues relating to health & safety, sustainability, best practices, and equality & diversity.

Examination Fees

Exam Fees are included in the tuition fee covering Units 1 & 2  for this RHS Level 3  qualification.

Examinations Dates

There are three (3) exam opportunities each year.

Exams are held in February, June, and October every year.

Enrol and start at any time of the year. The enrolment period is 20 months.

ADL will contact you to advise you on the next available exam date to see if you are ready.  If not, you may push the exam date forward – please bear in mind that both Unit exams need to be sat and passed within the 20-month completion period.

If, you don’t achieve this within 20 months, the  RHS will charge additional exam fees.  For example, if you enrolled at the end of March you would be entered for June (providing that you are adequately prepared), and then the second unit scheduled say for February.

Please click here for further details regarding the RHS exam timetable and all qualifications.

However, if you make this request after the one-month grace period, you will need to contact the RHS directly to make this change.

Qualification Awarded

Upon satisfactory completion of exams for Units 1 and 2 of this qualification, the RHS will award you the RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Garden Planning and Applied Propagation. Your grade of a Pass, Merit or Distinction will be indicated on the certificate.

IIMPORTANT:  – Additional Charges:  You may incur additional charges from the RHS if you decide to postpone your exam which has been booked. In this event, you will need to contact Qualifications@rhs.org.uk  direct. We cannot do this for you.

You can sit both unit exams in the same month. If you wish to do this, please let us know when we email you a few months before the exam date.

Please click here for further details regarding the RHS exam timetable and all qualifications.

Please Note:  If you don’t complete the RHS Theory examinations for Units 1 & 2 within 20 months, you will be required by the RHS  to pay an additional exam fee.

YOUR TUTOR

Susan Stephenson

BSc in Applied Plant Biology (Botany) Univ. London 1983. City and guilds: Garden Centre Management, Management and Interior Decor (1984) Management qualifications in training with retail store. Diploma in Hort level 2 (RHS General) Distinction.

Susan is our head Horticulture tutor, and has been preparing ADL students for the past 10 years to successfully pass the RHS exams first time round.  Susan is very enthusiastic about the value of an RHS qualification, and the careers opportunites that avail themselves to those who are  RHS qualified.

Susan Stephenson is a passionate and experienced horticulturist and garden designer. She has authored three books, lectures at 2 Further and Higher Education Colleges, teaching people of all ages and backgrounds about the wonders of plants and garden design, and tutors many students by correspondence from all over the world.

Susan studied botany at Royal Holloway College (Univ of London) and worked in the trading industry before returning to her first love plants and garden design. She is therefore, well placed to combine business knowledge with horticulture and design skills.

Her experience is wide and varied and she has designed gardens for families and individuals. Susan is a mentor for garden designers who are just starting out, offering her support and advice and she also writes, delivers and assesses courses for colleges, introducing and encouraging people into horticulture and garden design.

In 2010, Susan authored a complete module for a Foundation degree (FDSC) in Arboriculture.

Susan holds the RHS General with Distinction. She continues to actively learn about horticulture and plants and (as her students will tell you) remains passionate and interested in design and horticulture.

Assessment by Examination

There are two separate exams – one for each unit.
Unit 1 examination covers topics 1.1-1.4 and examination Unit 2 covers topics 2.1-2.4.

Assessment
RHS Level 3 (Principles – Theory) qualification will be entirely assessed by a summative, unseen written examination for each unit.

In each examination, all assessment outcomes specified in the unit will be covered.

Each examination takes 120 minutes (one hundred & twenty minutes) to complete. The total number of marks available is 100.

Each exam is comprised of three (3) sections:

Section A,  15-20 questions, 20 marks
Section B,  12-15 questions, 50 marks
Section C,  choice of 2 from 4 questions, 2 x 15 marks.

To be awarded the RHS Theory Level 3 qualification, a grade of 50% or more must be achieved for each unit, 1 and 2.  A final grade for the overall qualification will be calculated by combining the marks for each unit and then presented as a percentage.

The following grades are awarded for the complete qualification:
Pass – 50-64%
Merit – 65-79%
Distinction – 80%+

The course is offered online/offline. There is also a correspondence option to download and print the course material and saved to a folder of your choice. The online material may be saved to a USB stick giving greater portability.

Our online classroom is simple to use. You can log-in 24/7 and work at your own convenience.
In the online classroom you download the course material as and when required.  In the classroom you can:

• View videos, powerpoints and other learning resources
• Your course tutor is contactable through our online classroom using the specially designed messaging programme.
• Practice exam papers and questions available as uploads
• Chat room available – great for contacting other students.
• Receive Exam reminders and updates

How Is This NEW RHS Course Different From Previous RHS Qualifications?

The structure of the new RHS qualification (2022+) is very different from our other independent 700 modules listed on this website.

To obtain your best RHS exam results, we advise you to complete all course material provided by ADL. This includes:

Complete the Workbook – this is now called “Recap and Research Notes” for each topic and consolidate your knowledge.
Submit Pass Papers – for each unit to be marked by your Tutor.
Resources -Wide Selection – to help increase your horticultural knowledge.

Not completing the above exercises may greatly diminish your chances of passing this RHS qualification, the first time round.

Your tutor is there to help you through the course and to support you as you prepare for your two RHS examinations. We encourage all students to begin a dialogue with their Tutor as early as possible at the start of their studies.

Also, you have continuous access to our online classroom and online resources for the 20-month period that you are enrolled.

ADL has been preparing students for RHS examinations for the past 15 years. Our graduate’s success rate is very high with many receiving the grade of Merit or Commendation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?

A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.

Q: I notice you offer a payment plan, but, I would find it difficult to maintain those monthly payments. Do you offer alternative payment plans?

A: Yes we do. You would need to contact ADL by email at: support@adlhomestudy.co.uk or by phone   +44 (0)1227  789  649 for details. We are always willing to help where we can.

Q: When can I Enrol/Start My RHS Course With ADL?
A: Anytime, Anywhere. Term time is every day.

Q: I live Overseas. Can I Study From Overseas?
A: You can study any of the RHS theory qualifications overseas. All courses are offered in English. You will need to email RHS Qualifications direct to arrange sitting for your examination overseas.

Q: Is There a Time Limit for Completing the New RHS Principles of Plant Growth,  Gardening Planning and Applied Propagation?
A: Yes, you must complete your course within 20 months.

Q: Are There Any Entry Requirements (Pre-Requisites)?
A: The NEW RHS Theory course, Level 3 Principles of Plant Growth and Development does not require any prerequisites, previous experience or any knowledge of horticulture. All you need is passion for all things horticulture.

Q: What Course Should I Start With First? I Am New To RHS Qualifications.
A: You will need to begin with the NEW Level 2 RHS Principles of Plant Growth and Development (Theory) 2022, first and start with Unit 1. You must complete Unit 1 before proceeding to Unit 2.

Q: What Does ADL Course Material Include?
A: To obtain the best RHS exam results, we advise you to complete all the course material provided by ADL. This includes:

• Complete the Workbook – this is now called “Recap and Research Notes” for each topic and consolidate your knowledge.
  
• Separate AO3 section for each unit.
  
• Submit Pass Papers – for each unit to be marked by your Tutor.
  
• Resources -Wide Selection – to help increase your horticultural knowledge.
  
  If you don’t complete the above exercises your chances of passing this RHS qualification the first time round are greatly diminished.

RHS EXAMS

Q: When Do Exams Take Place?
A: Two examinations must be successfully completed and passed for this NEW RHS course, in order to be awarded this qualification. The exams are available online or paper-based. Exams are held in February, June and October.
You will have access to sample exam papers to help with your revision.
ADL, will register you (provided you feel you are ready to sit the exam) for the most appropriate exam date.

Q: Where Do I Take My Exams?
A: Exams are taken online or alternatively at a centre closest to your location.
Overseas: please email RHS qualifications direct for centre information.

Q: Exam Pass Marks?
A: Pass – 50-64%, Merit – 65-79% – Distinction – 80%+

Q: I’m Not Happy With My Exam Results?
A: You have the opportunity to re-sit your exam at the next opportunity. Contact ADL for exam re-sit fees.