We can't wait to welcome you to Sparsholt College!
We have created this interactive page to give you a sense of what studying Horticulture at Sparsholt College is like. Scroll down to watch the playlist of videos we have created. You'll meet the lecturers and teaching team and get a guided tour of the facilities at Sparsholt. There are also quizzes and projects for you to have a go at!
Remember, we are on social media and love posting about our students, their achievements and our beautiful campus so be sure to give us a like and a follow.
If you wish to ask any questions regarding our courses please email AskHorticulture@sparsholt.ac.uk.
At Sparsholt we also offer lots of support to you during your time at college including Careers Guidance and Health and Wellbeing advice.
Visit our campus virtually!
Join our expert lecturers on an exclusive guided tour across Sparsholt College's industry standard facilities and state-of-the-art equipment!
Why not also take a look at our 360 captures and explore the rest of our beautiful countryside campus here!
Horticulture at Sparsholt
In the video below, Chris Bird, Sparsholt's horticultural guru and RHS Chelsea Flower Show supremo walks you around our campus giving a seasonal tour of our beautiful plants. Unfortunately we don't have smellivision so we are unable to convey how incredible some of these plants smell but try and imagine once Chris has described them to you!
Jamie Cryer, one of our expert lecturers gives a demonstration of how to divide canna plants in the video below:
Ray Broughton, another lecturer, introduces you to a variety of horticultural practices that you would learn more about at Sparsholt!
This includes information and guidance on the maintenance of your garden tools, planting preparation and associated methods and their best uses, and, the preparation of plant material including compost ingredients.
Also, try our innovative identification quiz below. The answer sheet is below the quiz.
File(s) to download
File(s) to download
Student wellbeing and support
At Sparsholt College we understand that starting college in these uncertain times can be daunting and we aim to make this process as simple as possible.
We have a dedicated team that provide our students with any additional support they need including;
- Counselling
- Carer support
- Childcare support
- Confidential one-to-one services
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Industry Placements
As part of our Level 3 qualifications full-time students aged 16-18 will be required to complete a compulsory industry placement with a sector-specific employer or voluntary organisation.
Industry placements provide students with opportunities to:
- Apply the knowledge learned at college to the workplace
- Increase confidence as skills are developed
- Develop communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills
- See how a business operates in the real world
- Identify key technical strengths and skills you will need at work
- Test career choices and aspirations
- Line up an employer reference and achieve an additional college certificate for future use
- Find part-time work alongside studies or full-time employment once courses are completed
One dedicated placement day per week will form a part of our students’ weekly timetable across the academic year.
Our Industry Placement team will be here to support and guide you through this process from start to finish.
Get ahead of the rest and get your industry placement sorted before you start your course with us by emailing the team at ip@sparsholt.ac.uk.
University Centre Sparsholt
Did you know that Sparsholt also offers higher education including foundation degrees, degrees and masters courses in a variety of different areas!
University Centre Sparsholt is the perfect place to take your education further in the interesting and varied fields of Conservation and Wildlife Management, Animal/Zoo Biology, Fishery and Aquatics, Equine Science and Performance management or Veterinary Nursing Science!
Take a look at our website for more information and 2021 prospectus here.
Our Courses:
Level 1: Horticulture
Level 2 Technical Certificate: Horticulture
Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma/ Advanced Technical Extended Diploma: Horticulture
In the News!
Wondering where a career in Horticulture could take you - all the way to Wembley!
Read this article with Wembley Grounds Manager Karl Standley a former Horticulture student at Sparsholt College!
Article available here.
Careers Guidance
Our careers guidance aims to expand the horizons of all students enabling you to make informed career decisions in order to progress both during and after college.
Carol is our dedicated Careers Advisor for Sparsholt College!
We also have our SUN Progression Mentor Anna!
Anna works alongside the Southern Universities Network (SUN) to help students recognise the routes of progression available to them, and to continue their journey in education!
We recently launched the new Careers Hub located in the College library so come and say hello to Carol and Anna!