SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Ornamental and Landscape Horticulture 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101899  Advanced Diploma in Ornamental and Landscape Horticulture 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Advanced Diploma  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Horticulture 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The primary purpose of the qualification is closely tied to the rationale, serves to deepen learners' knowledge and skills in the various areas of ornamental and landscape horticulture, as mentioned in the rationale.

Qualifying learners will have a well-rounded knowledge base and specialised skills in:
  • Arboriculture.
  • Production and cultivation of ornamental crops in greenhouses.
    > Horticultural production process management.
    > Sustainable plant production.
    > Plant pest and disease management.
    > Growth media management for plant production.
  • Management of urban green space and amenities.
  • Conducting horticultural research projects.

    Rationale:
    Environmental degradation in both rural and urban areas is a worldwide phenomenon and is particularly prevalent in South Africa, where many natural environments are challenged by threats such as global warming and climate change, pollution and habitat destruction, large-scale industrial and urban development and the resulting loss of urban green space. This situation is exacerbated by a lack of awareness of how to use plants to create and restore urban green spaces, and how to promote human and social well-being, and environmental sustainability.

    Therefore, the rationale for this vocationally-orientated qualification is to provide learners with specialised knowledge and skills in the areas of: plant propagation, floriculture, arboriculture, landscaping and amenity horticulture. The demand for these skills is driven by the:
  • Current shortage of horticulturists in the Green Industry with such specialised skills.
  • Need for more urban green space such as landscapes and parks, fuelled by urban development.
  • Need to improve the socio-economic and environmental sustainability of urban green space.

    The Green Industry will benefit by having horticulturists that can fulfil the needs for specialised skills in the workplace. In addition, this qualification will prepare the learners for further Postgraduate studies. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    In addition to the institution's formal admission pathways, the University also recognises prior learning which may provide opportunities for admission into the qualification. All admission through RPL must be in accordance with the principles laid down in the RPL Policy, RPL procedures manual and Admission Policy.

    This qualification can be achieved in part through Recognition of Prior Learning.
    Prospective learners may apply to be admitted to the qualification using the Senate approved processes for recognition of prior learning. The RPL office can supply full details of processes and procedures relating to the assessment and accreditation of learning from prior experiences.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Diploma: Ornamental Horticulture, Level 6. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.
  • Arboriculture, 12 Credits.
  • Greenhouse crop production, 12 Credits.
  • Horticultural production process management, 12 Credits.
  • Sustainable horticulture production, 12 Credits.
  • Advanced plant pests and diseases, 12 Credits.
  • Growth media management for plant production, 12 Credits.
  • Amenity horticulture, 12 Credits.
  • Research project, 12 Credits.
  • Biological research methodology, 12 Credits.
  • Horticulture contact course, 12 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Use specialised and environmentally friendly techniques to assess, maintain and rehabilitate trees in compliance with relevant legislation.
    2. Manage the production process and use specialised techniques and technology to produce and cultivate ornamental crops in greenhouses, in compliance with relevant legislative, safety and environmental requirements.
    3. Manage urban green space and amenities using best practice principles, and respond to challenges impacting on public amenities and urban green space.
    4. Conduct a research project in the field of ornamental and landscape horticulture. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Determine the value and condition of trees in urban spaces using specialised tree assessment techniques.
  • Perform tree care and maintenance, tree surgery and transplanting of large trees using specialised procedures and safe work practices.
  • Rehabilitate trees using tree assessment and abatement procedures in a safe and environmentally responsible way, complying with relevant legislation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Use process management principles and practices to produce plants according to time, cost and quality specifications.
  • Create and maintain an optimum growth environment in a greenhouse for ornamental crop production.
  • Produce specific ornamental crops with varying production cycles in a greenhouse, using appropriate growth conditions, growth media and cultivation practices.
  • Use sustainable plant production practices and principles to enhance the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the business.
  • Prevent and resolve common problems that occur in greenhouse crop production.
  • Implement a pest and disease control strategy, using Integrated Pest Management techniques, to produce healthy plants in an ornamental plant production facility in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Apply best practice principles for the design, construction, management and maintenance of public amenities and urban green space.
  • Respond to challenges affecting public amenities and urban green space a appropriately.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Investigate research methodologies which are relevant to the field of ornamental and landscape horticulture.
  • Conceptualise a research project, based on a topic relevant to ornamental and landscape horticulture.
  • Conduct research under supervision in accordance with the research methodology and ethical principles.
  • Present findings, conclusions and recommendations, consistent with the supporting data, in a research report format.
  • Draw the research report in compliance with the prescribed format.

    Integrated Assessment:
    For the qualification to be awarded, a candidate must have successfully achieved the outcomes of each of the compulsory/core modules that constitute the qualification.

    Evidence of learning competency (knowledge, skills, attitudes and expertise) and of the candidate's ability to achieve the purpose of the qualification as a whole at the time that the qualification is awarded is required through comprehensive and integrated assessments (constituting a range of formative and summative assessments). Continuous formative and summative assessment methods are used in the form of written assignments and exams.

    Formative and Summative Assessment will be conducted within the guidelines of the institution's Assessment Policy. The learner's summative assessment mark will comprise a year mark that will be gained from the specified number of compulsory assignments and a written examination in each module. The pass mark shall be a minimum of 50% acquired from both continuous and summative assessment in a proportionate ratio; 75% shall constitute a pass with distinction.

    Assessors will assess and give credit for evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.

    Lecturers responsible for the module and external markers (assessors) will act as assessor practitioners in accordance with the institutional Assessment Policy. Formative and summative assessment will be conducted within the guidelines of the institutional Assessment Policy. Learner support will be provided in accordance with the institutional ODL and Learner Support policies and guidelines. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification and the component modules have been compared with similar qualifications (Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Bachelor's and Master's Degrees) and Certificates or training courses from the following countries, in terms of the content of the undergraduate and graduate qualifications:
  • The United Kingdom (UK).
  • Australia.
  • New Zealand.
  • The United States of America (USA) and Canada.

    In general this qualification and its component modules compares well with its international counterparts. While the modular structure of curricula differs, most of the essential knowledge and skills taught in these qualifications is also contained in the Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Ornamental and Landscape Horticulture.

    The major difference between this qualification and similar international ones is that the qualifications in these countries involve early specialisation in subfields of horticulture and landscape design, whereas this qualification takes a more generalist approach. For example, the Advanced Diploma has modules on arboriculture and amenity horticulture, while some international qualifications will have separate qualifications for these. The horticulture industry in places like the U.S.A. is massive compared to the South African industry, and therefore there is room for graduates to specialise. Given the smaller size of the local industry, students are taught a broader range of specialist skills to equip them to work in a variety of horticultural industries. Individuals can acquire further specialised skills within their particular work situations.

    United Kingdom:
    Many colleges in Britain offer courses leading to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) General Certificate, Advanced Certificate or Master of Horticulture. This articulation is similar to that of the institution's qualifications in Ornamental and Landscape Horticulture: Diploma - Advanced Diploma; Postgraduate Diploma; Masters or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). However, the RHS Master of Horticulture is at Degree level (similar to the Advanced Diploma), and introduces the option to specialise whereas this Advanced Diploma is more general in nature.

    The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) offers a full range of Degrees from Higher National Diploma through to MSc. They work in partnership with the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), to offer a range of internationally recognised botanical and horticultural courses. The taught Degrees emphasise biodiversity and the work of RBGE throughout:
  • Higher National Diploma (HND) Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours (Hons) in Horticulture with Plantsmanship.
  • Taught Masters (MSc) in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plant.
  • PhD programmes.

    This qualification does not emphasise Taxonomy but it does however address issues of biodiversity, sustainability and plantsmanship.

    Australia:
    Australia Correspondence School (ACS) Distance education in Australia offers a range of horticultural Certificates and Diplomas. Some of their qualifications have elective streams, which are plant crop production, landscaping, and amenity horticulture (which include turf and wholesale nursery management). Some ACS qualifications are specialised, e.g. in Arboriculture. Although the institution does not offer electives or specialised qualifications, all these horticultural fields of study are addressed in the Advanced Diploma.

    The core aspects of the urban and environmental horticulture qualifications offered by the University of Melbourne are also addressed in this qualification. There are, however, some of their electives, such as those related to urban agriculture that is not addressed in this qualification.

    United States of America:
    In the United States, the Auburn University offers four areas of specialisation at undergraduate level: landscape horticulture, pre-landscape architecture/landscape horticulture, nursery and greenhouse science, and fruit and vegetable production. This qualification addresses two of these areas of specialisation. The institution Department of Agriculture teaches fruit and vegetable production; while the Horticulture qualifications focus on ornamental plants. Both institutions address amenity horticulture at a higher level.

    Canada:
    The Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at the University of Nebraska offers undergraduate qualifications in Horticulture, Plant Biology, and Turfgrass and Landscape Management. This qualification does not specialise, but does address these areas of specialisation in the Advanced Diploma. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification offers the following horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma: Horticulture presented at Universities of Technology (NQF 7) or Advanced Diploma in related field (NQF 7) (Nature Conservation and Agriculture).

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma: Ornamental and Landscape Horticulture, Level 8.
  • An appropriate Bachelor of Science Honours Degree, Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.