Course Description
Career Opportunities
Course Duration
Course Commencement Dates
Entrance Requirements
Application Procedures
Skills Recognition - Exemptions/Transfers
Pathways to Further Study
Course Outline
Assessment Methods
Materials
Qualification

Course Location and Contact Information

Course Description

This course provides sound technical horticultural skills and knowledge. The course is a practically-based diploma where there will be development of skills and knowledge in horticulture and in managerial aspects of horticulture. Areas of study include plant identification, pest and disease management, soils, plant establishment, garden restoration, computers and report writing, garden design and planning and turf cultivation.

Students at NMIT's Greensborough campus will be trained in a modern facility that includes a fully-equipped workshop for landscaping skills, a laboratory for plant identification and an extensive garden area for design, plant establishment and maintenance skills. There is also a computer laboratory with CAD software and a well-resourced library.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities exist as positions in local government, landscape companies, private gardens, historic gardens, botanic gardens and institutions.

Course Duration

The Diploma of Horticulture is delivered as a full-time course over two years. Some units may be offered as night classes for part-time students at the Fairfield campus.

Course Commencement Dates

Full-time: February.
Part-time: February.

Entrance Requirements

VCE is required for students entering directly from school. Mature age students require the equivalent of Year 12.

Applicants will be required to complete a pre entry questionnaire and participate in an informal interview.

Application Procedure

VCE students must apply through VTAC.
Mature age students should apply through VTAC.
Direct applications may be made to NMIT and are processed after VTAC offers.
Part-time students may apply directly to NMIT.

Skills Recognition - Exemptions/Transfers

Students enrolling in this course who have completed studies at other institutions should discuss the possibility of being exempted from related units in this course. If a student can demonstrate a full understanding of the unit from their work then they may discuss the option of being assessed for this in their workplace. Students are eligible for Skills Recognition.

Pathways to Further Study

These qualifications may lead to further study in horticulture at tertiary institutes.

Course Outline

The Diploma of Horticulture requires successful completion of 10 units of competency. Eight units are to be selected from Group B, and two units from Group B and/or C. Group C units may be selected from other Training Packages or they may be from the Amenity Horticulture Training Package from level 3, 4, 5 or 6. At least eight units of competency presented must relate to general horticulture work procedures, activities or contexts. NMIT, in consultation with industry, has constructed courses that satisfy these packaging rules and are tailored to the requirements of industry.

Sample Course - Diploma Units

Assessment Methods

A competency based course assessment is based on student's abilities to achieve unit outcomes. There is the opportunity for workplace delivery and assessment of competencies. Assessment methods include:

• Demonstration of skills
• Tests and assignments
• Folios
• Student presentations
• Third party reports
• Research assignments.

Materials

List of safety equipment and books that need to be purchased by students will be distributed to students early in the course.

Qualification

As part of the Australian Qualifications Framework this program is nationally recognised. On successful completion students will be awarded the Diploma of Horticulture.

Links

The Victorian Government makes a significant contribution to these programs.