(NDSF) Level 5 Master Diploma in Professional Floristry (Part-time)

If you aspire to be the best of the best, this course will take you to that ultimate level.

The (NDSF) Level 5 Master Diploma in Professional Floristry will allow you to reach the pinnacle of your career and enable you to join the elite 5% of professionals who hold this highly respected industry qualification.

University Centre Reaseheath is one of very few Higher Education institutions to offer this top level course and it is led by trainers from our award winning floristry department who already hold the qualification. To enrol you must have completed your Level 4 Higher Diploma in Floristry.

Most likely you are running your own successful business and are ready to create your own trend rather than be a follower. By joining this course you will be further developed as a floral designer and be challenged to be innovative in your design. Once earned, this qualification will give you greater credibility and opportunities at the highest level.

This is a two year course, delivered in blocks totalling 25 days each year, and meets the completion requirements of the European Design Schema. It covers both practical and theory, with an emphasis on floral and design innovation and business management, and you will study international design in depth.

How to apply

Apply directly to Reaseheath

Entry Requirements

Level 4 Higher Diploma in Floristry

Start Date

October 2021

October 2022

Course Length

Part-time: 2 years

25 days per year in blocks

What will I study?

Units

Applied Botanical Concepts and Practices for Floristry
International Studies for Floristry
Floral Event Management
Business Management for Floristry
Marketing and Promotion Management for Floristry
Professional Floristry Skills – Design Innovations

All modules are compulsory.

Teaching and learning

Delivery is primarily through practical workshops to support development in professional floristry skills. Lectures will take place regarding theory work.

Students are supported by a robust tutorial system.

Class size is 10-15 students.

Assessment and feedback

The course runs over two years. All units will need to be completed in a timely manner according to assessment schedule and before sitting theory and practical exams at end of course.

Assignments can only be submitted once. No resubmissions are allowed to increase grade except in the case of a referral where the resubmission can only be awarded a pass.

The practical activities are assessed by an integrated assignment and by an externally set and marked practical examination. The underpinning knowledge is assessed by integrated assignments and an externally set and marked written examination. Both exams are in July.

Meticulous standards of workmanship are expected throughout. Commercial speed is expected.

83 % of assessment is coursework whilst 17% is assessed through examination.

Assessment of each assignment occurs at each hand in date; 10 assignments to be completed over 2 years.

Work is to be handed in on paper, not digitally, as external moderators require easy access on the day of the practical exam.

Comprehensive feedback is given to candidates using City and Guilds feedback sheets, directly linked to marking criteria outlined in the assignment guide. Candidates will be clearly informed on how to improve their work.

Timetable information

Timetable will be provided in the first week as part of induction.

Meet the staff

Course Manager and principal lecturer – Fiona Davies

Quals: up to and including Master Diploma in Professional Floristry (NDSF)
PGCE, BA Hons
Attended bespoke floristry courses delivered by Gregor Lersch, Annette Von Einem and Laura Leong
RHS Chelsea and RHS Tatton medal winner
Outstanding practitioner

Lecturer – Sue Poole

Quals: up to and including Level 5 National Diploma for the Society of Floristry, Cert Ed
Attended bespoke floristry courses delivered by Gregor Lersch, Wally Klett, Laura Leong
Multiple winner of RHS Tatton Floristry College of the Year
RHS Chelsea and RHS Tatton medal winner including several golds
Outstanding practitioner

Entry requirements

Level 4 Higher Diploma in Floristry

Career options

High level lecturing and teaching
Demonstrating to national and international professionals
Elite event planner
Bespoke floral designer

Useful Information

How much will this course cost?

As a Higher Education student you will have two main costs to meet; your tuition fees and living costs. Tuition fees are charged for each academic year of a course and are set by the college annually. Visit the student finance pages on our website for the latest information on tuition fees.

You may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees. Costing has been worked out to include registration, exam fees and certificate issue. Flowers for the practical exam are an additional cost at approximately £150.

Learners will supply their own flowers, foliage, sundries and accessories. A comprehensive range of foliage is available in Reaseheath grounds.

If learners are representing the institutution whilst working on a project off-site, a Reaseheath apron must be worn. Learners supply their own tools and equipment.

Recommended books:

The Professional Manual for Florists
Dr Hessayon, The House Plant Expert

Publications by leading floral designers:

Fusion Flowers magazine

A range of appropriate literature is available in the University Centre Reaseheath library.

Equipment Costs

A windows compatible laptop (£300-£500)
Digital camera (from £40) or a phone with a camera (from £9/month rental, approx. £150 refurbished to own and from £100 SIM unlocked to own)
Digital photobook to present portfolio (£30-£50) or scrapbook (approx. £15 plus cost of photos printed off)
USB memory stick (£5-£10) or hard drive (£26-£50) or cloud based digital storage space (usually on laptop)
Boots/shoes that are covered/not open (from £20)
Floristry toolbox essentials: knife, scissors, secateurs, oasis fix, bullion wire, stemtex/parafilm, pot tape, wires of a range of gauges purchasable from the online store (£110)
A willingness to source a variety of mediums and decorative sundries to explore different design styles (approx. £10 per week)
A Reaseheath apron, purchasable from the online store (£17)
Supply of own flowers for designs each week (approx. £15- £40 per week, though foliage can be sourced from the grounds)
Folding boot cart to transport materials from car to classroom (approx. £20)

Prices of equipment are subject to change dependent on retailer.

Advanced Learner Loans

The Advanced Learner Loans could help you study on a course or support you in a change of career.

Tuition fee loans are now available to those aged over 19 years old and who wish to study at Level 4, to provide a clear route to develop high-level technical and professional skills.

Advanced Learner Loans have been introduced to help you pay for some or all of your tuition.

You don’t pay back a penny until your income is over £25,000 a year
No credit checks and a low interest rate
Your household income isn’t taken into account
Enhanced employability – fast-track your career

Who can apply?

To qualify for a loan you need to be:

Starting a relevant course on or after 1st August 2019
Aged 19 or over at the start of your course*
Resident in the UK for the past 3 years
A UK national or having “settled status” in the UK
You can still apply for a loan if you are unemployed

*Subject to final Government confirmation

When you can apply?

You can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan (formerly known as the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan) from May 2019 for courses starting on or after 1st August 2019. Please do not apply until you have received your Learning & Funding Information Letter from the college.

How to apply?

Visit the Student Finance England site.

Accommodation

All first year students are guaranteed a place in our halls of residence which are all based on campus. For full details on our halls of residence visit the accommodation pages on our website.

Student support

We have a team of dedicated professionals on hand to offer you support when and if you need it during your time with us. These include our Student Services team, Higher Education Support Team (HEST), Library and Learning Resources and the Reaseheath Careers Service. You will find more information on the support provided at Reaseheath here.

How do I apply?

Before you apply you can come and visit us at one of our HE Open Events to see what we have to offer. Once we have received your application we will invite you to attend an Offer Holder Day.

Applications for full-time Degrees and Foundation Degrees are made through UCAS www.ucas.com. Applications for all other full-time courses such as Access to HE and Level 4/5 Diplomas should be made directly to Reaseheath via the online application form. You can find out more here.

CPD

Modules can be studied as part of a Continuing Professional Development programme.