Garden Design Level 3 Diploma

Grow your gardening, landscaping and horticultural skills by learning the key elements of garden design.

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Are you ready to change your world?

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Have complete control over the pace and style of your learning needs. Choose to study from your phone, laptop, or tablet, 24/7. Online Learning has never been so simple, or so much fun!

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All Oxbridge home learning courses are delivered to a high-quality standard with full access to course materials. If you prefer a printed copy of your course material, choose our print option. Note: extra charges will apply.

What you get Online Print
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Unlimited Tutor Support
Course material - online
Course material - printed copy

Overview

Do you have an eye for natural beauty? You stroll past neighbouring gardens and your imagination goes wild. You think in images: vibrant rose borders, beds strewn with blooming flowers, a reflective water centrepiece – a quaint, private paradise. If this sounds like you, our garden design course is the perfect opportunity to harness your horticultural skills and focus on finer details that’ll make any garden pop. Enrol today to start blooming.

What’s involved in our online Level 3 Garden Design Course?

You’ll make the most of nature by learning the key aesthetics of garden design. Discover the rich history behind the origins of garden design and find how and out where it all began. You’ll start by exploring the features of various garden styles, such as Medieval, Tudor and Victorian gardens.

Moving forward, you’ll look at how to plan, assess, and transform gardens into award-winning masterpieces. To do this, you’ll consider the impact of soil, sun and shade, time and budgeting during the planning process.

You’ll also examine the elements, shaping and proportions of gardens that enable designers to keep lawns and boundaries in shape when designing their dream enclosure. The course will finish by looking at a range of practical ideas for various shapes and styles of gardens.

Like the sights and scents of a glorious orchard in June, our garden design course will leave an everlasting impression. You’ll also acquire the distinctive ability to craft dynamic landscapes that meet the needs and desires of homeowners and garden lovers everywhere.

Now’s the time to start crafting those spectacular ideas you’ve been dreaming of, whether Persian gardens or Zen paradises. Enrol today and study anywhere – even in enclosed secret gardens in the heart of the countryside.

What you'll learn

Unit 1 - The History of Garden Design
  • Medieval Gardens
  • Tudor Gardens
  • Stuart Gardens
  • Georgian Gardens
  • Victorian Gardens
  • 20th-Century Gardens
Unit 2 - Introduction to Practical Garden Design
  • What Do You Want From Your Garden?
  • First Steps
  • Consider the Practical Limitations
  • Assessing the Versatility of A Pond Feature
  • Starting with The Essentials
Unit 3 - Assessing the Garden
  • Soil
  • Slopes & Changes in Level
  • Drainage
  • Enhancing Garden Design for a Mature Garden
  • Sun and Shade
  • The Soil & Climate
Unit 4 - Budgeting and Planning Garden Design
  • How Much Will Your Client be Able to Afford to Spend?
  • Phased Planning for Water Features
  • Schedule of work for Garden Development
  • Example of a Phased Budget in a Garden Design
Unit 5 - Timing Considerations
  • Basic Principles of Timing in Garden Planning
  • Knowing your Soil
  • Sources of Soil Pollution
  • How Soil Pollution Affects Plants
  • Benefits of Selenium for Plants and Soil
  • Improve Selenium Content of Soil
  • Safety and Timing Considerations for Fertiliser Application
  • Pruning
  • Timescale for Impatient Gardeners
  • Making Progress While Using a Phased Approach
Unit 6 - The Design - How and Where to Start
  • Achieving Harmony in Your Garden Design
  • Using Materials to Create Patterns and Finishing Touches in Your Design
  • Using Plants to Create or Enhance Patterns and Themes
  • Use of Colour in Garden Design
  • Colour Transformation
  • The Effect of Colours in “Re-sizing” Your Garden Space
Unit 7 - Elements of the Garden
  • Walls
  • Recycling the Material from the Foundation Trench
  • Choosing the Materials for Building
  • Legal or Planning Restrictions on Building Garden Walls
  • Safety Concerns
  • Patios and Paving
  • Designing Your Garden
  • Climbers and Shop Bought Panels
  • Metal Arches
  • Basic Garden Sheds and Other Utility Buildings
  • Beds, borders and planting
Unit 8 - Shapes and Proportion of Gardens
  • The Shape of Your Lawn
  • Ornaments and Garden Furniture
  • Where to Place Garden Furniture
  • Designing Your Garden
  • Garden Design Checklist
Unit 9 - Managing Transformations
  • Quick and Easy Transformations
  • Achieving a Quick Boost or Lift
  • Topiary
  • Creating a Focal Point
  • Water Features
  • Making Drainage Improvements
Unit 10 - Design Solutions for Problem Gardens
  • Dealing with Problems
  • Individual Gardens May have Individual Problems
  • Other Problems and Possible Solutions
  • Problems of a Steeply Sloping Garden
  • Urban Influences
  • Irrigation Systems
  • 11 Problems, Symptoms and Remedies
Unit 11 - Practical Design Ideas for Various Shapes of Garden
  • Design Ideas to Ensure Optimum Use of Outdoor Space
Unit 12 - Design Ideas to Ensure Optimum Use of Outdoor Space
  • Practical Considerations in Planning to Develop a Formal Garden Style
    Preparing the Land
    Defining the Perimeter
    Vertical Interest
    Greenery
    The Family Garden
    Plants Potentially Harmful to People
    Zones & Grass Covering

Extra info

Awarding Body

Endorsed by

Course Outcome

At the end of this course, successful learners will receive a certificate of completion and competency.

How is this course assessed or examined?

Each unit is followed by a written tutor-marked assignment (TMA), which is submitted and then marked by your tutor. You will not be required to take an external exam.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this course, however, it is recommended that you have an intermediate ability to read and write English.

FAQs

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What are the benefits of online photography or design courses?

There are numerous benefits to gaining a qualification through home study, but perhaps the most significant is the ability to learn at your own pace; you don’t have to worry about waiting for other students to reach your level of understanding before moving on to the next unit.

You can also schedule your learning around your personal preferences. For example, some of us take in information first thing in the morning, while others last thing at night. Or perhaps you have a full-time job or family responsibilities to navigate. Online study doesn’t require strict adherence to a timetable; you’re in complete control of the course and your future, which is precisely how it should be.

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What is a design course?

Design courses vary in subject but aim to teach students everything they need to know to thrive in their chosen sector. They tend to delve into the history of your chosen topic and study the people and practices that have influenced the industry before teaching you skills that you can practice and become proficient in.

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Why study an online course for photography or design with Oxbridge?

At Oxbridge, our mission is to help every student who enrols with us succeed in gaining the qualifications they need to change their lives, fulfil their dreams, and land a job that makes them excited to wake up every morning.

In addition to having ambition and drive, you also need access to quality learning materials and a robust support system to succeed. The learning platform available through Oxbridge isn’t just excellent; it’s award-winning.

Not only that, our tutors are highly experienced in their respective fields and just as eager to see you succeed. You’ll get one-on-one time with them to ensure you have the highest chance of success.

Why not speak with one of our learning advisers to find out more?

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What is photojournalism?

When you hear the word journalist, people envision a news or magazine writer, but that’s not the only pathway into this exciting sector. Every article is brought to life by the images they use. As a photojournalist, you’ll get to the heart of a story and explain it in picture form to be used in print or online.

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Courses Taught by Experts

Sarah

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My 30-year stride in education started with childminding, to working with pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. I then tutored in a national reading programme and went on to become a Higher-Level TA. I’m elated to say I graduated with a First-Class BA Honours Degree when I was 50 – living proof that it’s never too late to chase your dreams!

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Kelly

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I always knew that a career focused around helping people achieve their goals was perfect for me. That’s why I became a tutor. I love to see my student’s confidence flourish as they progress through their courses. It’s important to help them fit their learning goals around their personal commitments so they have the best chance of success! 

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Faye

Early Years

Beginning my career as an early years practitioner inspired me to step into the world of teaching. I have since elevated my skillset through a range of qualifications including L3 in Assessing Vocational Achievement, L3 in Education & Training and L4 in Internal Quality Assurance. I’m a big kid at heart; I love Disney movies and also dabble in photography.  

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Laura

Health care

For 10+ years, my passion for helping learners develop and grow has driven my career as a teacher. To help me progress even further, I am currently studying to achieve the IQA award. I love reading and I’m a self-professed Harry Potter fan. Talk to me about all things history, rock music, tattoos and true crime podcasts. 

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Penny

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Marine biology, jellyfish conservationist, hairdresser, fitness instructor… I have an eclectic backstory! Art is my passion and one of my proudest moments was achieving my Masters in Fine Art. I then requalified as an Art teacher to share my knowledge with my students. For most of my career, I’ve supported vulnerable students with additional needs such as SEMH and SEN.

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Are you ready to change your world?

We appreciate being bold is easier said than done. This is why the team at Oxbridge aim to help you feel confident and rest assured in taking your next steps. Our friendly, knowledgeable Learning advisers are always on hand to offer you the best guidance.