New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Services (Landscape Design)
Course details
About the course
The New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Services (Landscape Design) is for budding landscape designers who want to develop their garden design knowledge and skills.
Learn the design process, including how to carry out a site analysis and select plants to create sustainable, attractive and functional residential garden designs. Gain an excellent foundational knowledge of plants, soils, how to encourage garden biodiversity and green design solutions. You’ll also gain the skills and confidence to draw and represent your design in a professional manner, as well as developing supervision and management skills that will assist with implementation and aftercare. This is the perfect programme for anyone interested in landscape design who wants to begin developing the core skills required.
Once you’ve successfully completed this programme, you’ll be able to create a garden design, as well as understand planting and aftercare requirements to ensure your design always looks great. You’ll also gain some communication and supervisory experience, all of which will help you be ready to start your career in landscape design, creating plans for great garden designs that focus on planting (soft landscaping).
Highlights
- Fast-Track Your Career: Become qualified in as little as six months and unlock opportunities to create your own garden designs, work in the industry, or transition to further study.
- **Pathway to Further Qualifications:**This programme is a direct pathway into the New Zealand Diploma in Landscape (Design)
- **Learn from Industry Experts:**You’ll be guided by our experienced teaching team, which includes skilled teachers, designers, and plants-people. Gain additional insights from expert guest speakers and build valuable industry connections.
- **Hands-On Learning and Inspiration:**Get inspired through on-site visits, field trips, and collaborative projects with your peers.
- **Design, Create, and Showcase Your Work:**Take on real design projects, from client briefs to final design drawings. Build a professional garden design portfolio that showcases your skills and creativity.
- **Study in a Green Environment:**Our park-like Mt Albert campus provides the perfect setting for plant identification exercises and a refreshing study experience.
Qualification
Once you’ve successfully completed this programme you’ll receive the qualification New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Services (Landscape Design) (Level 4).
From here you can seek work in the landscape industry, be self-employed or continue with further study. For example, you can pathway into the New Zealand Diploma in Landscape (Design)
Career Options
- Garden centre salesperson
- Home garden designer
- Private gardener
- Landscape Design Assistant
- Nursery Assistant
- Plant Technician
- Horticulture Services Assistant
Annual Tuition Fees
Domestic/NZ students
$3,800
(Approximate fees only - includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF) levy. Your final study costs depends on a number of factors including the courses you select to study. View options for funding your study and fees-free eligibility)
International students
This programme is not open to international students - check our international study options instead.
Semester Dates
Sem 1 2026: 23 Feb – 28 Jun
Sem 2 2026: 20 Jul – 22 Nov
For course and class timings, refer to the specific course webpage.
For StudyLink purposes, please ensure your application states your earliest course start date.
Downloads and resources
Programme regulations - New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Services (Landscape Design) Prospective Study Guide - Landscape Design Order a personalised brochure Scholarships and awardsStudent LifeFor Māori studentsFor Pacific studentsFor International students
Entry requirements
You must have completed at least oneof the following:
- All applicants must be at least 16 years of age on the date of the programme’s commencement for the semester in which they wish to enrol (or provide a completed Early Release Exemption form)
And meet oneof the English entry requirements;
- Evidence of English language proficiency as outlined in the NZQA Rules on the Unitec English Language Requirements for International Students Web-page.
Don’t meet these Academic requirements?
- If you don’t meet the academic criteria, our Bridging Education Programmes can help you qualify. Simply apply online, and we’ll discuss your next steps.
- If you don’t meet the above criteria, special or discretionary admission may apply; your eligibility will be determined at the interview.
About the provider
Unitec is New Zealand’s largest institute of technology offering a wide range of work-oriented programmes and short courses. We offer leading employment-focused education at our two campuses in Mt. Albert, and Waitākere. At Unitec we think the traditional view of spending hours in a lecture theatre is out-dated. And that's why we approach learning differently. With our unique combination of world-class theory and hands-on experience, you'll get the skills to meet the changing needs of employers. And because our tutors are industry-based, they know what it takes to make it in the real world. We offer a friendly and diverse learning environment with flexible study programmes, lots of support, and hands-on experience to build the skills you need for your career and your future.