Horticulture
Get extensive experience through hands-on learning while discovering the science behind plants and their importance to our planet.
It's possible to study this course part-time. You'll take the same modules as BSc (Hons) students, but sometimes in a different order or in different years.
As a part-time student you'll study for twice as long as full-time students, so your degree will take six years to complete. If you choose to add a foundation year, your degree will take eight years to complete.
It's possible to combine part-time and foundation options. Contact us to discuss what you can do, or choose a combination of options when you apply online.
in the country for Learning Opportunities.
Source: NSS 2024
Our course is ideal if you want to explore different areas of horticulture, and understand the impact of horticulture and plants.
You’ll have access to an extensive plant collection on campus, take part in visits to parks and gardens, and gain experience of commercial trial work. We’ll also encourage you to undertake a summer placement during your course, to further develop your practical skills and knowledge.
Our horticulture courses are endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and are constantly updated to keep pace with this fast-changing and dynamic industry.
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Find out more about studying Horticulture at ARU in this short video.
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Make the most of our research glasshouse, laboratories and extensive plant collection, alongside our farms and fields
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Immerse yourself in horticulture on our extensive countryside campus
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Reap the benefit of our long-standing reputation for education in horticulture
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Our small class sizes ensure a personal approach to learning, and guidance tailored to you
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Be inspired by our cutting-edge research, which includes innovative vertical, horizontal and hydroponic growing systems
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Use our extensive industry network to help you develop your own sector links
Careers
[Studying at] Writtle provided an insight into what I wanted to do in my future and helped me discover my interests and strengths, both within the subject I chose to study and within myself.
As a graduate, you’ll have a good range of practical horticultural and business skills and be ready to make a start on your career.
We have strong links with industry and encourage you to undertake a summer placement during your course. This gives you further opportunities to develop your practical knowledge, along with other skills that employers value such as communication and teamwork.
Teaching and modules
There are a wealth of career opportunities for motivated, enthusiastic graduates and we aim to showcase these throughout your studies with us.
We’ll start by introducing you to the fundamentals of horticulture, encompassing sustainability, landscape and plant management, biological processes, soil optimisation, and plant propagation.
As well as developing more specialist knowledge and skills in these areas, in Year 2 you’ll learn about the influence of political and economic factors on your work in the horticultural sector, and choose two optional modules according to your particular interests.
In Year 3, not only will you refine your horticultural expertise even further, but you’ll complete an independent research project, bringing together everything you’ve learned.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- Graduate, Professional Skills (15 credits)
- Principles of Sustainable Development (15 credits)
- Landscape Principles and Practice (30 credits)
- Biological Processes (15 credits)
- Climate Soils and Land Use (15 credits)
- Plant Propagation, Growth and Production (30 credits)
- Into ARU
- Academic and Professional Development (30 credits)
- Political and Economic Contexts (15 credits)
- Environmental Management (15 credits)
- Plant Physiology (15 credits)
- Fresh Produce Production (15 credits)
- Arboriculture (15 credits) *
- Plants in Urban Environments (15 credits) *
- International Value Chain A (30 credits) *
- International Value Chain B (30 credits) *
- International Value Chain C (15 credits) *
- Dissertation (30 credits)
- Natural Resource Management (15 credits)
- Community Horticulture (15 credits)
- Contemporary Urban Landscapes (15 credits)
- Crop Management and Technologies (15 credits)
- Global Trends in Production (15 credits)
- International Trade and Markets (15 credits)
To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.
- Academic and Personal Management Skills (20 credits)
- Biological Concepts (Introduction to Laboratory Skills) (20 credits)
- Maths for IT and Science (15 credits)
- Chemistry for Life Sciences (15 credits)
- Independent (Themed) Project (20 credits)
- Applied Industry Techniques (30 credits)
It's possible to study this course part-time. You'll take the same modules as BSc (Hons) students, but sometimes in a different order or in different years.
As a part-time student you'll study for twice as long as full-time students, so your degree will take six years to complete. If you choose to add a foundation year, your degree will take eight years to complete.
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
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Dr Kami BaghalianSenior Lecturer in Crop Production
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Ruvini RanasinghaLecturer in Commercial Production (Fresh Produce)
Facilities
Study a horticultural degree at ARU in Writtle and enjoy:
- access to an extensive plant collection on campus
- visits to enterprises, parks and gardens
- experience of commercial trial work
- research and tropical glasshouses
- our 150-hectare campus with its mixed working farm, which is home to crop fields, sheep, pigs and cattle
- undertaking research in our new Superlabs on our Lordship campus.
A day in the life of a Horticulture student: take a guided tour.
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Varied formal gardens with extensive plant collections
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The Postharvest Unit, which undertakes research and trials with commercial companies
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New state-of-the-art Superlab facilities on our Lordship campus
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Apply for Horticulture
Clearing places available
UK students, apply through Clearing for a September 2025 start