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Garden Design

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Why Study Garden Design ?

If you are interested in the design of our landscapes
Or have a practical eye for construction.
If you wish to develop your knowledge of plants
Or improve your graphical skills.
If you have creative flair for 3 dimensional problem solving
Or enjoy managing multi-skilled projects.
Maybe you wish to improve your planting plans
Or perhaps you want to run your own business.

Then Garden Design is the course for you.
 

Garden design provides us with a rich creative environment blending many skills - from the practical knowledge of construction and project management to the creative elements involved in accomplished design and the use of horticultural expertise. What other industry can give an individual the opportunity to develop abilities in so many diverse areas?

About The Course

Teaching is not confined just to the classroom. Visits are mixed and varied. New gardens are seen under construction to help students understand the groundwork that occurs when creating a garden. Mature gardens are visited to analyse good design and the effects of time. Plants are studied in situ in gardens and on campus to provide students with the essential knowledge required to work in the industry. Practical horticulture sessions are mixed with drawing theory, and study tours can take us away from Scotland to other areas of the UK and further afield.

The HNC introduces you to the many facets of garden design which include design, plant knowledge, hard landscaping and business.    You will carry out guided design work in a studio setting, real projects with real clients, visit plant nurseries, gardens and hard landscape suppliers, go for tutor-led walks around the campus and botanic gardens to learn plant identification, and undertake practical hands-on horticulture.

The HND develops your competence in communication with clients and other professionals, and in organising and carrying through projects.  You will design in a range of garden styles, and prepare plans, construction details and planting plans for real clients from the private and public / community sectors.  Show garden design and construction as a team, practical construction projects such as ponds and decking and visits to a range of landscapes and gardens are all integral parts of the course. 
You will use computer-aided design (CAD), and learn about plants for specialised plantings, landscape design history, landscape management, and how to get started in business.

Awards Available

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HNC Garden Design

UCAS Codes

Study In Aberdeen: SAC SO1 192W X HNC/GD

Study In Ayr: SAC SO1 192W Y HNC/GD

Study In Edinburgh: SAC SO1 192W Z HNC/GD

Length Of Course

The HNC takes 1 year full-time, or can be studied part-time.

Minimum Entry Requirements

2 Highers (CC) or 1 A Level pass.  Preferably to include a science subject or geography.  A wide range of alternative qualifications are considered for entry, e.g. NC Landscape or Horticulture, SGA Land and Environment.  Motivation and relevant experience are also recognised alternatives to formal qualifications.

Progression Routes

Those completing the HNC are able to progress seamlessly into Year 2 of the HND.

HND Garden Design

Study In Ayr: SAC SO1 092W Y HND/GD

Study In Edinburgh: SAC SO1 092W Z HND/GD

Length Of Course

The HND takes 2 years full-time, or can be studied part-time.

Minimum Entry Requirements

2 Highers (CC) or 1 A Level pass.  Preferably to include a science subject or geography.  A wide range of alternative qualifications are considered for entry, e.g. NC Landscape or Horticulture, SGA Land and Environment.  Motivation and relevant experience are also recognised alternatives to formal qualifictions.

Progression Routes

Those completing the HND may be eligible to progress into Year 3 of the BSc/BSc (Hons) Horticulture course.

Course Content

Further information is available in SAC's undergraduate prospectus, and in our course leaflet which can be downloaded from this page. Please contact us for further information.

The HNC Garden Design aims to provide you with the basic skills in garden design coupled with the practical skills required by the garden designer. Modules cover the design process, design and use of hard landscape features, and plants for gardens.

The HND Garden Design broadens your skills and knowledge base with modules on water gardens, design and construction of show gardens, plant specification,
computer aided design, landscape design history, and landscape construction and maintenance.

Career Opportunities

The landscape/amenity garden sector is buoyant and there are many opportunities for successful students.

Various possibilities exist in the public and private sector both within the UK and internationally.

Many students who have completed the course have developed careers as self-employed garden designers. Students have also developed careers in landscape horticulture.

Other students, who have taken the course for their personal interest in gardening and garden design, go on to informally design for themselves and others.

Course Contacts

Aberdeen Course Contact

Dr Jim Thomson
Senior Lecturer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work Ferguson Building SAC Aberdeen Campus
Aberdeen
AB21 9YA
TelWork 01224 711205

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Aberdeen Campus General Contact

Ms Suzanne Hay
Student Recruitment Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn
Aberdeen
AB21 9YA
TelWork 01224 711189

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Ayr Course Contact

Mr Peter MacDonald
Lecturer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, Riverside Campus, University Avenue,
Ayr
KA8 0SX
TelWork 01292 886173
Fax 01292 886199

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Ayr Campus General Contact

Mrs Jill Thomson
Student Recruitment Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC Ayr, Riverside Campus, University Avenue,
Ayr
KA8 0SX
TelWork 01292 886196

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Edinburgh Course Contact

Dr Margaret Norton
Programme Leader in Horticulture
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 5354079

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Edinburgh Campus General Contact

Miss Claire Morrison
Student Recruitment Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work King's Buildings, West Mains Road
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4391

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Student Experiences

Colin Bell studied Garden Design.

“After working in Dublin for 3 years for a small landscaping company I decided to return to college to further my education.  The HND in Garden Design was ideal for me as it provided an opening to greater opportunities in the future.

I really enjoyed my time at SAC. I entered the course as a mature student and met a lot of people with similar interests, some of whom have become firm friends.

The highlight of my time at SAC was designing a show garden and building it with my fellow students for display at Gardening Scotland 2007. The garden won a Silver Gilt medal and I achieved the Best New Show Garden Designer Award for my work.

I am now employed full-time by an Edinburgh-based company that specialises in landscape construction. I have also completed designs for clients privately since leaving SAC. Ultimately, my aim is to become self-employed where I would design, construct and maintain gardens."