SRUC Scotland's Rural College
UCAS Code: DHPS | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
to include a science subject
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Applicants should be able to offer National 5 (A-C) or equivalent pass in English (for literacy) and Maths (for numeracy)
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
to include a science subject
Scottish Higher
to include a science subject
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
This BSc (Hons) in Horticulture (Plant Science and Technology) has been designed specifically to deliver skilled horticultural practitioners who understand the interdisciplinary nature of the sector and their position within it. The programme is unique in that it is the only undergraduate horticulture degree programme to be offered in Scotland.
Having an acute focus on research and development, the ‘plant science and technology’ stream has been designed to solve real-world problems facing the horticulture sector today, and in the future. Students can expect to be immersed in SRUC’s state-of-the-art vertical farm, laboratories and glasshouses; which all add immeasurable value to the student experience by providing hands-on learning throughout the student journey.
The programme takes a blended learning approach, using a variety of learning and teaching activities both on campus and via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Moodle, as appropriate to the subject and level of study. In years one and two, the focus is on developing underpinning academic skills, practical confidence and peer learning communities. The programme is therefore primarily campus-based theory and practical activities, supported by online live classes and independent studies within the VLE. Classroom learning will support active learning and encourage collaboration. The third and fourth years of the programme focus more on independent learning, allowing for personalised foci on areas that are of interest. A higher proportion of theoretical learning will take place either live online or within the VLE and supported by practical and interactive activities on campus. Classroom activities will include simulation-based and inquiry-based learning, applying theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges.
On successful completion of this programme, you will be able to:
- Advance equality of opportunity and value diversity of ideas, cultures and approaches in horticulture
- Design and implement horticultural research whilst selecting appropriate frameworks, and collect, analyse and present data to make inference from the study
- Value the interrelationships between society and plant biodiversity in cultivated and natural landscapes using an interdisciplinary approach
- Practice ethical professionalism and autonomy in a variety of professional settings, reflecting on own personal and professional development, and adapting
practice as appropriate
- Formulate solutions to sector challenges by adopting an enterprising mindset
- Instruct others on a range of laboratory protocols and horticultural techniques
At the end of each academic year, students will be invited to attend and participate in the ‘Plant and Soil Sciences Student Conference’. This provides an opportunity for students in years two, three and four of their studies to showcase the range and breadth of research that has been carried out. The academic staff will decide on the keynote speaker, and this will be someone who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to their studies.
Modules
By studying this BSc (Hons) in Horticulture (Plant Science and Technology), you can expect to study the following modules as part of the course:
Horticultural production technologies - This module aims to provide you with a holistic understanding of horticultural production technologies. You will examine a range of inputs used in the horticulture industry to improve crop yield and quality; preparing you to contribute to the advancement of sustainable and efficient horticultural practices.
Innovations in horticultural science - The aim of this module is to provide the opportunity to apply your knowledge of integrated crop management (ICM) in horticulture in relation to national and global sustainability goals (e.g., UN SDG’s) and consider how these link to the practical decisions made by growers.
Urban agriculture - The aim of this module is to equip you with the competencies required to contribute positively to the development of resilient, inclusive and environmentally conscious urban food systems, for the betterment of urban environments and the broader global food system.
Horticultural biotechnologies - The aim of this module is to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of genetics, breeding and micropropagation and its applications for crop enhancement and improved productivity.
Environmental horticulture - The aim of this module is to develop your knowledge of environmental horticulture by analysing plant-based solutions that are crucial for addressing today’s environmental issues. Using critical thinking, you will consider the impact various plant-based technologies have on society, the environment, and the economy to ultimately encourage environmental responsibility and awareness
Agents for change - This module aims to empower you to become an agent of change within your subject’s sector. You will gain knowledge of current legislation that is appropriate to your sector and be able to make recommendations for new policies, programmes and initiatives to bring about positive change in local and/or global contexts.
Assessment methods
The assessment approach for the BSc (Hons) in Horticulture (Plant Science and Technology) has been designed to provide opportunities to develop the competencies required to become skilled horticultural practitioners. It uses a variety of assessment approaches to develop a range of skills, knowledge and professional behaviours and to ensure the inclusivity of different learning approaches. All assessments within the programme are designed to be authentic; incorporating realistic objectives that are reflective of industry activities. The authenticity of the assessments will foster innovation and creativity skills that are necessary to grow and modernise the horticulture sector upon graduation.
Students will develop scientific writing skills by completing assessments that include scientific literature, research activities, case studies, and projects. To complement this, effective communication skills will be developed through group projects, presentations, and multimedia content creation. Students will also develop research and statistical analyses skills using real-life data sets from projects that are embedded into the programme.
Personalised learner journeys are championed by providing opportunities for students to select from a range of topics for an assessment, or by providing different methods of completing assessments. For example, by creating an instructional video of a laboratory skill or by writing a standard operating procedure. Typically, students will be encouraged to select the option that will challenge them the most, rather than defaulting to what seems simplest. Reflective practice is at the forefront of the programme’s ethos and will be fostered through the use of portfolios, reflection tasks based on personal objectives, or by reflecting on the feedback that has been received by the assessor.
We believe that this assessment approach will fulfil the programme learning outcomes and our programme promise: "to provide an immersive learning experience to get you ready today, for the sector tomorrow".
Tuition fees
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The Uni
Edinburgh
Horticulture, Landscaping and Garden Design
What students say
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How do students rate their degree experience?
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Agriculture
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
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Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Agriculture
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
About 70% of the UK's land area is given over to agriculture, so this is a subject representing an important part of the country's economy. Typical starting jobs for graduates in agriculture include agricultural science, farming and farm management, but graduates also go into other areas, such as the horticulture trade, auctioneering and conservation. Agriculture graduates are also in increasing demand for one of the hardest-to-fill jobs in the country - surveying. Jobs for agriculture graduates are often in rural areas - in 2016, areas like Essex, Lincolnshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Yorkshire and Kent were all important for agriculture graduates.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Agriculture
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£24k
£26k
£27k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
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Graduate field commentary:
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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