The Cambridge University Botanic Garden Certificate in Botanical Horticulture offers training in botanical horticulture for up to nine Trainees and is suited for individuals looking to become professional horticulturalists through hands-on experience. The one-year training programme begins in early September and takes place in person at the Garden.
Based within the 40-acre Botanic Garden, Trainees studying for the Certificate in Botanical Horticulture gain a comprehensive and applied horticultural skill set, essential for maintaining a world-class collection of over 8,000 plant species. This challenging programme is designed for those aiming to acquire expertise in practical horticulture and collection management. As employees of CUBG, trainees receive a salary for the duration of the Traineeship and there are no course fees.
Previous experience in practical horticulture is absolutely essential as is a horticultural qualification. Whilst our scheme is a traineeship, we do require a base level of competency to start with for the trainees to then build upon.
Trainees who successfully complete the scheme will be awarded a CUBG Certificate in Botanical Horticulture, an independent qualification awarded by Cambridge University Botanic Garden. Although it is taught by University of Cambridge staff and makes use of University collections, it is not a degree, diploma or other qualification of the University of Cambridge and does not form part of the University’s formal academic programmes.
The Certificate in Botanical Horticulture is designed to be comparable to study at Level 4 of the UK Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, with respect to the level of teaching, learning outcomes and formal assessment.
Through practical work, written assignments and taught sessions, this demanding programme is designed to provide:
- A critical understanding of the role of botanic gardens and plant collections, including the importance of plant record-keeping and management.
- The skills and knowledge needed to cultivate and manage botanical collections in alignment with scientific and horticultural principles.
- An informed perspective on issues related to plant diversity and conservation.
Trainees work with experienced Garden staff and rotate between the horticultural sections in the Garden, enabling them to experience how the management of each section changes with the seasons. Trainees form a significant proportion of the Garden’s workforce and are central to its horticultural operations. The practical training is augmented by a weekly programme including talks, seminars, demonstrations and plant identification. Trainees must attend all teaching sessions during the year in order to complete the qualification. There is an emphasis on plant diversity, basic taxonomic training and plant identification utilising the plant collections.
Applications are now closed for 2026-27. Information regarding the 2027-2028 scheme will be available from late 2026.
For non-UK settled workers, please note that the skill level of this role would not be high enough to support a Skilled Worker visa.
