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Advanced Horticultural Trades (Level 4) (Landscape Design)
New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Services (Level 4) with strand in Landscape Design
SX1703
Course details
-
Feb 2025Jul 2025
- One semester
- Full-time or Part-time
- $3,911*
- You may qualify for fee-free study under MPTT*
- Level 4
- Online with block course in Hamilton
Summary
This semester-long online course is perfect for those who are passionate about creating beautiful garden spaces. It is ideal for those who wish to pursue a career in landscape garden design. It is also great for those interested in upskilling themselves to work in gardens or as a hobby.
The course covers the introductory theory and principles of design and graphic representation, as well as the study of hard landscape materials and soft-scaping with plants. It is hands-on and taught in a project-based style. This means you will have a real-life example to work on and will gain insight into the complete project design process from client interviews, site analyses, and measurements through to concept development and design presentations. This introduction to design is the start of your journey towards creating beautiful garden spaces.
While the course is offered online, we provide full support to students through their study journey with industry-expert tutors available throughout the duration. There is one block course required for students to attend at our campus at the famous Hamilton Gardens. This certificate is a pre-requisite to our New Zealand Diploma in Landscape (Level 5).
What you will learn
There are five compulsory modules that you must complete. Click on the module code in the table below to learn about each learning outcome.
View programme modules
How you will learn
As a student, you will have a mixed mode of learning that consists mainly of directed learning online through our student learning portal, Moodle, and self-directed study for assignments and project work.
This 18-week course includes a mid-semester break and our project-based approach allows you to learn in real-life design situations. If you enrol in the Garden Design Practice module you will also attend a compulsory workshop midway through at our Hamilton Garden Campus, where you will be introduced to a garden design project, meet clients, and complete a site survey.
This mode of delivery supports you to study flexibly and continue your day-to-day life. Your online learning is supported through weekly Zoom tutorials, group discussions as a class, and interactive activities. You will need reliable internet access and be familiar with computer software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. A computer with a webcam is also required for participating in online learning activities.
Take a look inside
Click the play button below to see what landscape design involves.
Career/further opportunities
After graduating, you will leave with the skills, knowledge, and qualification to work as a garden designer, landscaper, or small-scale designer.
To receive official accreditation as a designer and become certified, once you have industry experience, you can submit a portfolio to the Garden Design Society of New Zealand or the Registered Master Landscapers. You may also continue on to the New Zealand Diploma in Landscape (Level 5) Design strand.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any experience in landscaping or horticulture to start this programme?
There is no pre-requisite for this programme, and we do not require you to have any formal industry work experience. If you have a passion for gardens and the outdoors, then that is enough. This is a design course, so concepts and principles are creative, so an artistic mind may help; however, we start from the beginning with landscape garden design theory and teach you all the concepts and skills required.
Why study landscape design with us?
This course is New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) approved, meaning this Certificate in Applied Horticultural Services (Landscape Design) (Level 4) programme will give you a recognised qualification. Employers look for this qualification when employing for work in this field. Also, this is one of the first steps in landscape education, and if you wish to, you can take your education further to more advanced specialised areas.
How much time do I have to commit per week for modules and assessments?
This is a 60-credit programme which equates to 600 hours of learning over one semester. This is an average of 32 hours per week over the 18-week learning semester. This may fluctuate during project work, and we do suggest you ensure you have the required time available to put towards this course.
Assessments will be explained at the beginning of the course. There is a mix of computer-generated (Word/Powerpoint) and drawing-based components that will be specified in detail when you start each assessment. Assessments go towards your Portfolio of Evidence which builds on all your written work and plans, your group discussions, comments, quiz answers, photos, and video clips. There are no final exams in this programme.
What is the difference between landscape design and landscape architect?
A landscape designer specialises in residential home garden design, with landscape garden design and planting plans. They may also do construction detail plans and can work with clients and landscape contractors to install garden design plans. These residential home gardens can range from standard town properties, rural lifestyle blocks, and inner city rooftop gardens to anywhere somebody may live and have an outdoor space. Study length varies from one to three years, depending on how in-depth you wish your knowledge to be and the experience you wish to attain in dealing with project complexities.
Landscape architects specialise in commercial, civic/public spaces (town and city parks) and infrastructure (roadway) landscapes. They develop design plans, planting plans, construction details, and legislative documents for these situations, as well as site assessments and environmental work. A landscape architect will have completed a three to four-year degree and then become registered with the NZ Institute of Landscape Architects. Landscape architects can be residential landscape designers, but their learning is not as focused on residential garden spaces.
What is the next step to further landscape studies?
This level 4 certificate is a pre-requisite to further study in landscape design. After this certificate and to build your skills in design and detailing for more complex site situations, you can progress to our New Zealand Diploma in Landscape (Level 5) Design strand.
Events
Disclaimers
Entry criteria
You can apply for this programme if you meet one of the below options.
Based on your school achievement (secondary school study)
- 40 credits at NCEA Level 1; including 10 literacy credits and 10 numeracy credits;
- Or a recognised equivalent.
Based on study completed after school (tertiary study)
- Completed the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Level 3 (Landscape Construction strand);
- Or a relevant course at NZQF Level 2;
- Or a recognised equivalent.
Based on your work experience (on the job)
If you can demonstrate relevant knowledge, skills and experience that you have gained through work experience, that will help you to be successful in the programme.
Based on discretionary entrance
If you don’t meet any of the above options, and you think you have what it takes to complete this programme, you can apply for discretionary entrance. Your application may be accepted if you can demonstrate a good chance of success. Approval of discretionary entrance applications is decided by the relevant manager. If your application is approved, your acceptance into further programmes relies on you demonstrating success in this programme.
Selection criteria
a) Candidates without relevant qualifications may be required to participate in an interview and selection process. The following may be considered in the selection process:
1) The completion of a study skills assessment to demonstrate the level of academic skill necessary to successfully complete the programme.
2) Previous experience working in the horticulture sector. May include previous employment and voluntary
work.
3) Personal qualities such as responsibility, teamwork and practical skills.
4) An aptitude for working in a public environment demonstrated through a reference from an employer where a candidate has worked with the public, or from
a teacher attesting to social skills.
5) Candidates wishing to enrol on the arboriculture strand must have completed the following unit standards: 6400, 6401, 6402, 1668, 2768, 2767, 6916, 6917 and 20574.
6) As some of the practical components
within this programme are considered high risk, students may be required to submit to an initial drug screen as per Wintec’s Drug & Alcohol Policy (OP-16/04).
b) To meet legal and health requirements, candidates must be physically able to carry out the practical components of the programme, including the ability to perform practical demonstrations and assessments.
c) Candidates with disabilities are eligible to enrol in this programme and will be provided with the necessary resources to attain the learning outcomes where practicable, but at the time of enrolment must notify the Equity/Disability Co-ordinator of their needs.
d) Some delivery maybe at locations which require arboriculture students to undertake a police check.
English language requirements
Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 5.5 in the academic band, with no individual band score lower than 5.0; or equivalent.
Want to see full details of the entry criteria?
Don't meet the entry criteria?
Pathways
To check what you need to gain direct entry to a course, review the entry criteria available on each programme page. These assist you in understanding what qualifications or experience are typically required to gain entry. You can contact our team at info@wintec.ac.nz or 0800 2 Wintec at any time for further guidance.
Your first day
Are you ready for your first day of class? Check out your start date and where you need to be. You can also find useful information about studying at Wintec on our welcome page.
Semester 2 2024
Date: Wednesday 24 July 2024
Time: 6pm
Venue: Online via Zoom
What you need to know:
- We will email you the Zoom link closer to your online induction.
- This online session will run for no longer than 1.5 hours.
How to use Zoom
Zoom is an online video service connecting you to our team. It is free to use via your phone, PC, laptop, tablet or another internet-capable device and you don't need a camera. If you are new to Zoom, you need
to set up an account using your email, Google, or Facebook accounts. To do this, go to Zoom.com and follow the sign-up prompts. Once your account has been created, click on the Zoom link provided to you.
Prospectus (course guide)
The Wintec Prospectus (otherwise known as a course guide) outlines everything you need to know about Wintec. It contains information about the Wintec campuses, student life, and the programmes that are on offer.
Access your copy of the Wintec Prospectus
The Wintec Prospectus (course guide) is available by downloading the file - click on the document below to access the file. Alternatively, to request a copy via email or the post, please complete the form below.
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