About the course
T Levels are technical qualifications - equivalent to three A Levels � that combine classroom study with industry placements. They have been designed to be of the highest standards, but also to equip you with the vital skills required in the workplace.
Welcome to the world of Horticulture at Myerscough College, where your passion for plants and the environment can flourish into a rewarding career. The T-Level in Ornamental and Environmental Horticulture and Landscaping offers an exciting journey into various occupational specialities within this thriving industry. Whether you dream of cultivating beautiful gardens, designing sustainable landscapes, or preserving natural habitats, our T-Level programme provides the skills and knowledge you need to succeed. As part of the course, you will become familiar with a range of contexts in which horticulturalists work, ensuring you are highly employable at the end of your programme.
Some areas of horticultural work you will explore on the T Level programme are as follows:
Garden design and maintenance: Dig into the world of designing and maintaining stunning gardens. Learn about plant selection, landscape planning, and effective maintenance techniques to create captivating outdoor spaces.
Nursery production: Master the techniques of nurturing plants from seed to maturity in nurseries. Gain hands-on experience in propagation, irrigation systems, and pest management to ensure healthy plant growth.
Landscape construction: Build the foundations of beautiful outdoor environments. Acquire skills in hardscape construction, such as paving, decking, and fencing, to craft functional and attractive landscapes.
Greenhouse management: Delve into the world of controlled environments for plant growth. Learn about greenhouse operations, climate control systems, and crop cultivation methods to produce high quality plants all year round.
The T Level is a popular option for both school leavers and successful Level 2 Technical Certificate students.
Key Information
Location: Preston Campus
Course length: Two Years (70 weeks)
Start date: September 2025
Interested in taking this course? Click here to apply for this course online
Course Modules
Biosecurity
This module focuses on biosecurity measures critical to agriculture. Students will learn about the prevention and management of pest and disease outbreaks, strategies for maintaining animal health, and the protocols necessary to protect ecosystems from invasive species and pathogens.
Business
This comprehensive module covers the fundamentals of running a successful business within the land-based sector. Topics include business planning, marketing, management, and the strategic development of enterprises in agriculture, horticulture, and environmental management.
Communication
Effective communication skills are crucial in land-based sectors. This module focuses on verbal and written communication, active listening, and the use of digital tools to enhance professional interactions in agriculture, environmental management, and animal care.
Equality
This theme addresses the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace. Students will learn about relevant legislation, strategies for promoting inclusivity, and the benefits of a diverse workforce within land-based industries.
Establish Ornamental and Environmental horticultural areas
Establishing Ornamental and Environmental horticultural areas
Ethics
This course examines ethical principles and dilemmas in the context of land-based industries. Students will explore topics such as professional integrity, ethical decision-making, and the impact of their work on communities and ecosystems.
Finance
his course provides an introduction to financial management in the land-based sector. Students will learn about budgeting, financial planning, accounting principles, and the financial considerations specific to agricultural, horticultural, and environmental operations.
Health and Safety
This module covers essential health and safety legislation, regulations, and best practices applicable to land-based industries. Students will learn to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement safety protocols to ensure a safe working environment in agriculture, horticulture, and related fields.
Information and Data
In this module, students will explore the importance of information management and data analysis in land-based studies. Topics include data collection methods, data interpretation, and the use of information technology to support decision-making and operational efficiency across various land-based disciplines.
Install landscape features
Maintaining Ornamental and Environmental horticultural areas
Manage existing designed landscapes
Ornamental and Environmental horticultural areas
Plant Growth and Development
This module delves into the biological processes underpinning plant growth and development. Students will study factors affecting tree health, such as soil composition, water and nutrient uptake, and the impact of environmental conditions. Practical applications of this knowledge will be explored in the context of planting, maintenance and care.
Plant Propagation
Relationship Management
This module teaches students how to build and maintain positive professional relationships. Topics include customer service, conflict resolution, teamwork, and networking strategies, all essential for successful careers in land-based industries.
Supply Chain
This course examines the supply chain dynamics within the arboriculture sector. Topics include sourcing of arboriculture equipment and materials, understanding market demands, logistics, and ensuring the sustainability and ethical considerations of supply chain practices.
Sustainability
This course explores sustainable practices in land-based sectors. Topics include the principles of sustainability, sustainable resource management, and the importance of integrating eco-friendly practices into professional operations across agriculture, environmental management, and animal care.
Work Experience:
In order to successfully complete your T level qualification, you will need to complete a minimum of 315 hours (45 days or 9 working weeks) of Industry Placement with a maximum of two employers. We will assist you in helping to secure a suitable placement.
T level Industry Placements are expected to provide you with real work experience as part of your wider studies. It should be linked to your main course of study so you can develop up to date technical knowledge, and skills and apply your college learning to real work activities. Your placement should reflect your pathway, and be related to your occupational specialism.
Working in the Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care Sector
This module provides an overview of the diverse career opportunities within the agriculture, environmental, and animal care sectors. Students will gain insights into industry standards, job roles, and the skills necessary to succeed in these fields.
Entry requirements & additional information
Entry requirements for all T Levels will be a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 (including Maths, English Language and Science).
T-Levels are available for 16 to 19-year-old students. They are also available to students up to the age of 24 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan.
Applicants are expected to show a strong commitment to the industry and ideally, have some practical work experience working with animals prior to starting the course.
This course is designed for students who wish to develop the core practical skills and knowledge to seek employment in the Animal industry. It will prepare you for entry into a practical employment position within the industry. Alternatively, it provides an ideal progression route to higher education.
Assessment of technical qualifications is a mixture of internal practical assessment of skills conducted by the teaching team, internal written assignments marked by the teaching team, an externally set synoptic examination that combines the knowledge and practical skills of all of the mandatory units, an external online exam that combines the knowledge of all mandatory units, an online health and safety exam and a employer set project. The assessments and exams are spread throughout the two years.
Upon completing your T level in your Occupational Specialism, you have several options to pursue:
T levels provide the same UCAS points a full A level programme giving you the option of further study in higher education in fields such as landscape architecture, plant sciences, or environmental management.
The technical skills you will acquire also prepare you to enter employment or a higher apprenticeship directly as a skilled horticulturalist, ready to contribute to a wide range of employers including landscaping companies, botanical gardens, nurseries, and more.
Progression onto degree programmes at other universities is dependent upon their own individual entry criteria. This might include specific requirements relating to the type of course being studied, the particular �modules� or �units� studied on a course, the work-experience that you�ve undertaken or even previous GCSE attainment. Entry requirements can also change from year-to-year.
It is essential that, if you have a clear career goal in mind, you check and confirm the entry requirements of your preferred degree programme prior to commencing your Level 3 studies here at Myerscough. Information, Advice and Guidance will be provided by the College to support you in making the right choices, but please ensure that you have taken time to consider your future career goals and the specific entry requirements at other universities. The UCAS website is a good starting point: https://www.ucas.com/