Diploma in Garden Design

Professional qualification by distance learning for a career in garden design

Course Details

Interactive study

Students work from a combination of printed and online material, and are supported by KLC’s tutor team. The printed course material is illustrated in colour throughout, user friendly and presented in a study folder.

Online resources

Certain sections of the course will steer students to the student support section of the KLC website where additional study information, project briefs and special updates can be found. The student support section also acts as a platform for further research and allows students’ interaction with their peers via the student forum, as well as access to their own personal records.

Develop your creativity into business skills

The business aspect of running a design practice is given a high priority and students will learn how to run all aspects of a professional job. By the time they have completed the course, they will not only have been awarded a respected qualification but will also have built up an impressive portfolio to show to prospective employers and clients.

Expert guidance and unique careers support

Our friendly and professional tutor team is on hand to help with any queries on project work – emails are usually answered within one working day. All our tutors are garden designers themselves, so students can gain first-hand knowledge from practicing professionals. At the end of the course, KLC can give advice on CVs, portfolio presentation and career direction.

What’s included?

The couse includes:

1. The printed course material presented in a study folder
2. Access to online study material and support resources
3. An online student study guide
4. Project and assignment work
5. All distance learning tuition
6. Insurance of manuals against loss or theft in transit

Enrol today

No prior experience is necessary - just commitment and enthusiasm. Enrol with complete peace of mind with our money-back guarantee – you have 28 days to examine the course material, in which time you can cancel the course and have all fees paid refunded as long as you return the study materials in pristine condition.

 

Detailed Syllabus

Section 1

• Module 1 – The Design Process
• Module 2 – Garden History 1
• Module 3 – Concepts (Mood Boards)
• Module 4 – Scale
• Module 5 – Site Survey & Analysis
• Module 6 – The Client’s Brief
• Module 7 – Initial Pencil Exercises
• Module 8 – Design Principles
• Module 9 – Plans, Elevations & Sections
• Module 10 – Sketching
• Module 11 – Plant Nomenclature

Section 2

• Module 12 – Plant Science 1
• Module 13 – Garden History 2
• Module 14 – Inking & Lettering
• Module 15 – Plant Categories & Planting Principles
• Module 16 – Functional Layout Plans
• Module 17 – Plant Science 2
• Module 18 – Garden History 3
• Module 19 – Form, Texture & Colour

Section 3

• Module 20 – Garden History 4
• Module 21 – Plant Science 3
• Module 22 – Rendering
• Module 23 – Axonometric Projection Drawings
• Module 24 – Garden History 5
• Module 25 – The Planting Plan
• Module 26 – Gardening Practice
• Module 27 – Dealing With Difficult Sites
• Module 28 – Garden Lighting 1
• Module 29 – Construction 1
• Module 30 – Garden History 6
• Module 31 – Costing A Project
• Module 32 – Visual Presentation
• Module 33 – Environment, Sustainability & Naturalistic Planting

Section 4

• Module 34 – Scale Models
• Module 35 – Garden History 7
• Module 36 – Construction 2
• Module 37 – Garden Lighting 2
• Module 38 – Verbal Presentation

Section 5

• Module 39 – Construction 3
• Module 40 – Garden History 8
• Module 41 – Construction 4
• Module 42 – Contemporary Gardens
• Module 43 – Construction 5

Section 6

• Module 44 – Professional Practice Part I
• Module 45 – Professional Practice Part II
• Module 46 – Professional Practice Part III

Project work

Project work is submitted at the end of each of the six sections, and relates to the modules within that section. Work includes taking a site survey and analysis; preparing a client brief and concept boards; working out functional layout plans; drawing and colour rendering plans, planting plans, elevations, section/elevations, sketch perspectives, axonometric and construction drawings; sourcing hard landscaping materials, dealing with difficult sites, and understanding and planning garden lighting.

The course also gives an understanding of plant biology, plant nomenclature, and gardening practice, as well as an overview of garden history, including contemporary gardens.

Students are required to work on a History of Garden Styles notebook, and also keep a sketchbook which is submitted twice during the course.

The second half of the course is designed to push the student’s creativity and learning even further with a commercial project, a show garden plan and a final domestic project.

Both visual and verbal presentation skills are developed throughout the course, and the final section deals with professional practice, from building up a CV and portfolio to starting a business.