Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Certificate In Garden Design

Key Facts

Level:
Level 2
Subject Sector:
3.2 Horticulture and Forestry
Credits:
27
Qualification No:
600/9673/1
GLH:
216 hours
Total qualification time:
270 hours
Price:
View price list
Age Range:
16-18 & 19+

Qualification purpose

Prepare for further learning or training and/or develop knowledge and/or skills in a subject area

Qualification Grading Type

Pass

Assessment Methods

  • Portfolio of Evidence

    • Why choose this qualification?

    Following a scheduled review of our Level 2 Certificate in Garden Design, we’re writing to let you know about positive updates that will take effect from 1st August 2026.

    These changes ensure the qualification remains engaging for learners and closely aligned with current industry practice. As digital design tools and CAD technologies evolve, it’s important that learners develop skills aligned with the software, standards and workflows used in modern garden design studios.

    The review has focused on maintaining the relevance of the following units:

    • Garden Design: Creating 2D Objects and Layout Plans using Computer‑Aided Design
    • Garden Design: Creating 3D Objects, Garden and Planting Plans using Computer‑Aided Design.

    What’s changing

    From 1 August 2026, refinements to the CAD units to ensure continued alignment with:

    • Current software and digital design standards
    • Real‑world garden design workflows

    A Summary of Changes document and Qualification Specification for delivery from August 2026 are available to support your planning.

    What this means for your Centre

    • No immediate action is required
    • You can begin reviewing the updates now to support lesson planning for the next academic year
    • Further guidance and support will be shared ahead of implementation

    Rules of Combination

    Learners must successfully complete 27 credits. All 24 credits from the mandatory units must be completed. A minimum of 3 credits are taken from the optional units.

    Units

    Mandatory Units

    All credits in this group must be achieved.

    Garden Design Process

    Level:
    Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    24
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    F/507/0567
    Click here to view full unit details

    Graphics and 3-Dimensional Studies for Garden Design

    Level:
    Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    24
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    L/507/0569
    Click here to view full unit details

    Planning for Garden Design

    Level:
    Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    24
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    A/507/0566
    Click here to view full unit details

    Plant Knowledge

    Level:
    Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    24
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    T/507/0565
    Click here to view full unit details

    Plant Selection and Care

    Level:
    Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    48
    Credits:
    6
    Unit No:
    J/507/0568
    Click here to view full unit details

    Plant and Soil Science

    Level:
    Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    48
    Credits:
    6
    Unit No:
    L/507/0572
    Click here to view full unit details
    Optional Units

    A minimum of 3 credits must be achieved from this group.

    Garden Design: Creating 2D Objects and Layout Plans using Computer-Aided Design

    Level:
    Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    24
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    Y/507/3023
    Click here to view full unit details

    Garden Design: Creating 3D Objects, Garden and Planting Plans using Computer-Aided Design

    Level:
    Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    24
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    D/507/3024
    Click here to view full unit details

    Hard Landscaping Materials and Features

    Level:
    Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    24
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    J/507/0571
    Click here to view full unit details

    Planning for a Garden Design Project

    Level:
    Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    24
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    F/507/0570
    Click here to view full unit details

    What is the purpose of this qualification?

    This qualification is designed to be taken by learners interested in pursuing a career in garden design but who need to learn more and build up their knowledge and skills before progressing to further learning at a higher level.

    What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?

    The Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Certificate in Garden Design (QCF) has been designed to enable learners to develop the underpinning plant knowledge and drawing skills required to enter the garden design industry.

    It equips learners with the skills and knowledge required to progress to the next level of learning in Garden or Planting Design.

    This qualification requires learners to complete the following mandatory units:

    - Plant and Soil Science
    - Plant Knowledge
    - Planning for Garden Design
    - Plant Selection and Care
    - Graphics and 3-Dimensional Studies for Garden Design

    There are additional optional units of which learners must select at least one of the following:

    - Planning for a Garden Design Project
    - Hard Landscaping Materials and Features

    How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?

    The qualification is part of a suite of Garden Design qualifications. You should take the Certificate if you need a period of learning at level 2 before progressing to before progressing to a level 3 Apprenticeship or to a level 3 qualification, or employment (with further training where possible).

    Which sector does this qualification support?

    This qualification is designed to help learners to develop the skills and knowledge required to become a practiced garden designer.

    What are the progression options?

    Learners achieving the Level 2 Certificate in Garden Design (QCF) could progress on to vocational qualifications to achieve occupational competence in garden design, such as the Gateway Qualifications Level 3 Certificate in Garden Design (QCF) or the Gateway Qualifications Level 3 Diploma in Garden Design (QCF).

    Progression & entry requirements

    The Level 2 Certificate in Garden Design (QCF) is designed for open access without the need for prior knowledge or attainment in the specific area. It is available to younger learners aged 18+ and adult learners 19+.

    Funding information

    There are now two main sources for funding information, a straightforward ESFA Qualification Search and the more detailed Find a Learning Aim website.

    The new Find a learning aim (FALA) service provides a search tool that you can use to check the funding status of any qualification, framework, unit, standard or T Level:

    View this qualification on the ESFA’s Find a learning aim website

    The Education and Skills Funding Agency search provides funding information on qualifications. It does not provide funding information for units, non-regulated activity and work placements, for this information please use Find a learning aim (FALA).

    View this qualification on the ESFA Qualification Funding Search

    How to find a learning aim

    If you’re not sure how to use the new find a learning aim website, we’ve created a handy walkthrough to help you:

    How to Use: Find a learning Aim

    We have done our best to collate and summarise the key information, and wherever possible we alert our providers to changes in funding policy.

    This funding information is provided in good faith and it is always advisable to check directly with the funding agencies before committing to delivery.

    The following support materials will help you to deliver this qualification.

    Internal Quality Assurance

    Special Considerations and Reasonable Adjustment Forms

     

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