Royal Horticultural Society Master of Horticulture

Open Learning Course, self paced home study

 

Assessments are mostly closed book exams, but also include some face to face assessments. Closed book exams can be arranged to be sat in most parts of the world. Face to face assessments are able to be undertaken in the UK; and may be able to be undertaken elsewhere.

Fees for these assessments are payable to the RHS, and are in addition to fees levied by the institution with whom you study.

 

The exams cannot be attempted unless the student has first been registered with the RHS as a candidate for the qualification.

 

 

Enrolment

Before an enrolment can be finalised, you must first apply to be registered as a candidate with the RHS.

 

This school can assist you with preparing and submitting your application for Candidacy to the RHS which must include:

a) Proof that you meet the RHS Entry requirements

b) Two passport size photographs

c) A current and comprehensive CV

d) Copies of documentation to support claims made in the CV (e.g. Transcripts from studies, proof of current or past employment)

 

ACS will charge a fee to assist you in making this application.

Alternatively, you may apply direct to the RHS for candidacy; and provide ACS with proof of accepted candidacy before enrolling with us.

 

If the RHS rejects candidacy, they will indicate what additional studies must be undertaken before candidacy can be accepted.

 

Pre-requisites

Candidates are expected to satisfy one of the following:

 

• Have graduated from the RHS Diploma in Horticulture
• Have graduated from a Higher Diploma, foundation Degree or Degree in Horticulture or a related discipline
• Have alternative qualifications equal to one of the above, which includes equivalence to Module C of the RHS Advanced Certificate (ie. Practical Horticulture I) AND Module I of the RHS Diploma (ie. “Planning Layout & Construction of Ornamental Gardens”, and “Restoring Established Ornamental Gardens”)

 

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Course Structure

The RHS has broken this course into eight modules, each with a nominal duration of 200 hours.

ACS has created 14 modules, each 100 hours duration, to align with seven of these (ie. You complete two ACS modules to satisfy each RHS module).

The final module is a 200 hour dissertation, which can only be attempted upon completing all other modules.

 

First year modules must be completed before second, and second before third: otherwise, work can be paced faster or slower according to your capacity to work.

 

Modules may be undertaken for credits toward other ACS courses if you wish; however, an additional ACS exam may be required in order to attain a credit for use within ACS.

 

The modules are:

 

First Year

RHS MODULE (You are assessed by the RHS in these)	ACS MODULES (You study these with ACS to prepare for the RHS Assessments)
Module 001 Horticulture and Research	Horticulture and Research I Horticulture and Research II
Module 002 Options: Module 0002A (Amenity Horticulture) or Modules 002B (Production Horticulture)	Amenity Horticulture I (Nature & Scope of Amenity Horticulture) Amenity Horticulture II (Planning for Amenity Horticulture)
Module 003 Operational Business Management - Management Case Study	Operational Business Management I (Economics, Planning and Marketing) Operational Business Management 2 (Legal, Contractual & Staff Management)

 

 

Second Year

RHS MODULE (You are assessed by the RHS in these)	ACS MODULES (You study these with ACS to prepare for the RHS Assessments)
Module 004 A Written Assessment - Principles and Processes of World Horticulture	The Role of Horticulture in Modern World Horticulture and Technology in Modern World
Module 005 Options: Module 005A (Gardens and Designed Landscapes) or Module 005B (Urban Landscapes) or Module 005C (Production Horticulture 3)	Garden History and Managing Notable Gardens OR Significance of Green Landscapes in Urban Design and Management of Green Landscapes in Urban Environments OR Critical Assessment of New Technologies for Crop Production and Critical assessment of New Post Production Technologies and Practices
Module 006 Strategic Management in Horticultural Business Environments	Organisational Management of Horticultural Business Marketing Management of Horticultural Business
Module 007 Technical Competence Assessment	Advanced Horticulture Practices I Advanced Horticulture Practices II

 

 

Third Year

Module 8 - Dissertation (The dissertation proposal is submitted prior to completing module 7)

 

 

 

 

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SUBJECT CONTENT

Horticulture and Research I

 

The course contains seven lessons:

1. Determining Research Needs

2. Searching for Information

3. Research Methods

4. Using Statistics

5. Conducting Statistical Research

6. Research Reports

7. Reporting on a Research Project

For many students, their first experience with research occurred in school where they were required to prepare a research report or a presentation on a particular subject. This is the fundamental level of research, and its aim is to gather information on a topic, which is later to be presented to an intended audience (a class, teacher etc). Examples are research on a particular country, animal, or political system.

Another level of research aims at answering a research question (often called the thesis question). The information that is gathered and presented is chosen in order to answer that question. Examples of research questions are: What main social and political factors contribute to poverty in country X? Why is the Madagascan lemur an endangered species? How was language used to justify and maintain the Cold War last century? Well formulated and pertinent questions can lead to meaningful research projects that can greatly increase our understanding of the world and ourselves. The problem with this kind of research, though, is that it can be very difficult to know what questions to ask.

Horticulture and Research II

 

There are 7 lessons in this module as follows:

1. Identifying research issues and determining research priorities

2. Acquisition of technical information

 

3. Specialised research techniques

4. Research planning and designing

 

5. Statistics

6. Conducting research

 

7. Writing reports.

WHAT to RESEARCH?

Research can be valuable, contributing to our understanding of what factors are influencing observed outcomes, which need changing, and what specific changes may be needed. On the other hand, irrelevant or needless research, no matter how well done or how detailed, can waste time, energy and money that could have been much better applied elsewhere.

Therefore, the first step in doing relevant, worthwhile research is to identify areas, social groups, markets, or organisations that might benefit from research, and the kind of information that might be useful. This is a vital step as much of the governmental and private funding today is tied to these constraints.

The second step is to arrive at a specific topic for research, one that clearly articulates the aim of the research, and defines the focus for the research. It defines clearly the goals: what are we doing the research for?

The third step is to consider whether the proposed research is realistic. This is a necessary step on the analysis as it will help determining the strategies, how we will approach and study the problem. Can it be done in a realistic time frame? Has it already been thoroughly researched by someone else? Are there still important questions to be asked? Is there enough information? Steps two and three may need to be repeated several times before the final research topic is identified.

Amenity Horticulture I - Nature & Scope of Amenity Horticulture

Aim: Explain the nature and scope of providing, establishing and managing amenity horticulture sites.

There are 7 lessons in this module as follows:

1. Nature and Scope of Amenity industry

2. Global Variations Nature and Scope of Amenity industry in different countries

3. Benefits of Amenity Horticulture

4. Amenity Horticulture Management Options

5. Influences (Legal, Social etc

6. Determining Best Practice

7. Preparing for the Future: PBL

 

Amenity Horticulture II - Planning for Amenity Horticulture

Aim: Explain planning for amenity horticulture, including appropriate measures to ensure all relevant concerns are identified and appropriately considered.

There are 7 lessons in this module as follows:

1. Adapting Amenity Horticulture to Changing needs

2. Macro Panning for Amenity Land Provision

3. Resources and Information.

4. Environmental impacts

5. Economic Impacts

6. Community Involvement

7. Developing a Management Plan

 

 

Operational Business Management I - Economics, Planning and Marketing

Aim: Develop an ability to formulate and evaluate strategy as well as to ensure effective business performance in today’s fast changing social, political and economic environment, for horticultural enterprises within one sector of the horticulture industry.

There are 8 lessons in this module as follows:

1. The Economic Environment

2. External Influences on Horticultural Enterprise

3. Information Management for Horticulture

4. Strategic Planning in Horticulture

5. Implementing Strategies

6. PBL Project: Developing a Business Plan

7. Business Control Systems for Horticulture

8. Evaluating Horticultural Marketing

9. Marketing Strategies for Horticulture

 

 

Operational Business Management II - Legal, Contractual and Staff Management

Aim: Develop an capacity to apply legal, contractual and staff management considerations to demonstrate informed interpretation and analysis, critical thought processes and an understanding of complex issues in relation to the management of a range of different sectors of the horticulture industry.

There are 7 lessons in this module as follows:

1. The Law and Horticulture 10 hrs

2. Contract Law 10hrs

3. Employment Law 10hrs

4. PBL Financial Management 20hrs

5. Staff Performance Management 10hrs

6. Motivating Employees in Horticulture 10 hrs

7. PBL Management Case Study 30 hrs

 

The Role of Horticulture in Modern World

Develop comprehensive knowledge of the economic and social significance and on the evolution of the Horticulture Industry in the world

 

 

Horticulture and Technology in Modern World

Develop comprehensive knowledge of the environmental issues and on the evolution of the Horticulture Industry in the world

 

 

Garden History

Evaluate the historical development of parks and gardens in the world from Roman times to the present day.

Discuss the value of conserving gardens and designed landscapes and the measures that can be taken to achieve this.

 

 

Managing of Notable Gardens

Discuss appropriate management strategies to ensure the long term survival of plants and garden features.

Identify and evaluate sources of funding and associated issues

Identify and discuss the issues concerned with the presentation of a site to visitors.

 

 

Organisational Management of Horticultural Business

Demonstrate a thorough understanding of organisational aims and objectives and evaluate the importance of management

Critically survey the development of organisational theory and assess the significance of effective team organisation, motivation and retention in a horticultural context

 

 

Marketing Management of Horticultural Business

Using appropriate theory, tools and information, assess the contribution of marketing orientation, marketing activities, and marketing planning to the success of an organisation.

Analyse market behaviour, anticipate trends and prepare and present effective plans and recommendations to solve marketing problems.

 

 

Advanced Horticulture Practices I

Advanced interpretation skills for plants, pests and diseases in horticulture.

 

Advanced Horticulture Practices II

Demonstration and Interpretation of materials, techniques, processes etc.

 

Dissertation

Select and define for approval a current and relevant horticultural issue for research.

Determine and plan an appropriate approach to the research in question

Apply research, investigative and analytical skills to a specific research issue

Demonstrate self motivation in an area of academic study

Present and discuss findings and supporting information in the required written format and verbally within the required time frame.

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please note
In order to be awarded the Master of Horticulture (RHS) candidates will need to provide evidence of appropriate professional experience. This experience may have been gained at any time prior to completing the Master of Horticulture (RHS) qualification.This is accredited as a first degree level course in the UK.