Certificate Home Study

Gain a foundation in basic garden design skills and actively participate in the design of your own garden.

home study

Start Date

Can be started at any time

Price

€687 (Easy-pay plan available)

Duration

Approximately 3 months

Study Option
Home Study
Course Level
Comparable to level 4 on the NFQ
Entry Requirements
18 years old or over
Assessment
5 practical assignments
Recognition
The Garden Design Academy of Ireland is recognised by the International Approval and Registrations Centre (IARC).

Completing this course will enable you to design and plan your own garden by developing your basic skills of garden design.

Created for enthusiasts, the course covers fundamental techniques to give you a good knowledge of garden design. No minimum qualification is required.

Designed around 5 practical assignments, you will incrementally develop your techniques and an understanding of the industry through each assignment.

As a home study student you will have full access to our student area, the Online Learning Centre, which contains course material created by industry experts including: instructional videos, written content and assignments.

Our tutors provide all the support, knowledge and in-depth feedback you need to progress through your course and are always contactable through the Online Learning Centre.

This course can be completed in approximately 3 months*.

*Completion time is based on the approximate time it has taken past students to complete the course. Students have up to 36 months to complete the course.

Send me a brochure

Topics

The list below provides an overview of the topics covered in this course.

    • History & Principles of Garden Design

    From plant selection to selecting colour schemes, this topic covers the principle components that form the garden designers craft. You will learn about:

    • Balance and Proportion
    • Unity and Repetition
    • Movement or Rhythm
    • Contrast
    • Colour
    • Focal Points
    • Simplicity
    • Know your Materials
    • The Seven Principles of Plant Selection
    • The Elements & Presentation

    Take an in-depth look at some of the most important elements within a professionally designed garden. From outdoor floors to garden themes, this topic deals with many of the most important elements you will require when designing your outdoor rooms. You will learn about:

    • Path and Patio Planning
    • Decks
    • Living Floors
    • Lawns
    • Garden Walls
    • Living Walls
    • Hedges and Shelterbelts
    • Seaside Themes
    • Cottage Style
    • Mediterranean Style
    • Modern or Architectural Garden
    • Fragrance Garden
    • Wildlife Garden
    • Vegetable Border Garden
    • Rockeries
    • Japanese Gardens

Tutors

All our tutors are garden design professionals working in the industry.

The Garden Design Academy of Ireland

Our philosophy at the Garden Design Academy of Ireland is to make high-quality education accessible to all by empowering people to do what they love. Through the power of online and blended learning, our students are able to harness their creativity and practically apply it to succeed in their chosen careers.

Pursue your ambition - because the future is today!

Learn more

Choosing the right course

We offer a range of garden design courses to suit your goals.

Why not contact our experienced staff for advice, or browse to our other courses.

Ask a question

Our experienced team can answer any questions you have about our courses, general enquiries and payment options. Simply complete this form and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Garden Design Academy of Ireland ©2024