Study Horticulture
Develop your skills in greenhouse production and management, nursery operations and management, and landscaping. Explore how to grow plants for a variety of uses: ornamental, medicinal, food, and beverages. Learn about the innovation and advancements in the horticultural industry. Benefit from the ability to take specialized courses in your area of interest.
Ridgetown Campus provides balanced training where you will learn in formal lectures and practical learning experiences.
Program Benefits
2-year program
In only two years, you’ll be ready for your career with applied and practical experiences in lectures and labs.
Teaching greenhouse
Benefit from applied, practical training in the campus greenhouse.
Extensive campus grounds
Enjoy 450 acres of campus grounds for hands-on learning.
Co-op option
Choose co-op and complete one work term during the summer to gain extra work experience.
Focus on your interests
Focus your studies on either the greenhouse, edible horticulture, or nursery/landscaping sectors.
Prep for industry exams
Gain the knowledge needed to write the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Park's Exterminator License Exam and add expertise to your resume.
15+ electives
to choose from.
700+
plant species found on campus.
2 travel
opportunities to Belize and Europe.
Co-op Option
Co-operative education is an opportunity for you to extend your learning beyond the classroom. As a co-op student, you will gain work experience, build professional networks, and develop interpersonal skills essential to pursuing a career in horticulture. Plus, you’ll get paid while earning your diploma.
In the co-op program, you will participate in one (1) co-op work term (during the summer) in addition to four academic semesters.
Co-op students receive an exceptional level of support in securing a placement. You will take a co-op preparatory course, a Co-op Coordinator will assist you during the employment process, and you will have access to senior student mentors.
Read more about the Co-op program here.
Degree Pathway
Graduates of the Associate Diploma in Horticulture program can receive 7.5 transfer credits toward the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture program at the University of Guelph. In many cases, this eliminates one to two (1-2) years from degree completion time. Transfer students must have a minimum cumulative average of 75% or higher in the associate diploma program and must have completed 4U Advanced Functions (or equivalent) and 4U Chemistry (or equivalent including CHEM 1060) in high school. Learn more about the U of G Degree Pathways here.
Required Courses
Year One
Year Two
Notes
- The Associate Diploma in Horticulture requires the completion of 24 courses (12.00 credits) total
- For a list of all courses and the curriculum layout, please see the Associate Diploma Calendar
Careers
- Garden equipment & supply dealer
- Entrepreneur
- Garden centre manager
- Greenhouse grower
- Greenhouse integrated pest management technician
- Horticulture equipment and supply sales
- Landscaping contractor
- Lawn care manager
- Medical cannabis production assistant
- Nursery grower/manager
- Parks & recreation technician
There are currently 12 career opportunities posted on the job posting page
Admissions
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Equivalent
- A minimum cumulative average of 65% in 6 Grade 11 or Grade 12 U, C, M, or O level courses (excludes Co-op credits)
- Includes a minimum of Grade 11C Math and Grade 12C English
- OR Mature Student Status*
* Definition of Mature Student: Do not hold a high school diploma or equivalent, but are 19 years of age or older and out of high school for a minimum of one year; may be required to complete pre-admission testing
Admission Requirements
- The official secondary school (high school) graduation certificate/diploma that would admit you to an internationally recognized university in your home country is normally acceptable for applications to our programs
- For further details on out-of-country admission requirements, including the General Certificate of Education (GCE), please refer to the University of Guelph's website at admission.uoguelph.ca/international
- Official documents should come directly from the issuing institution or accreditation body in their official, sealed envelope. Where English translations are needed, please have the documents verified and sent by the issuing academic institution
- Post-secondary transcripts must be assessed by World Education Services (WES). Both a Credentialed assessment and a course-by-course assessment is required. Supporting documentation should be uploaded to your Ontario Colleges Application Account
English Proficiency
You will be required to present evidence of English Proficiency if:
- your primary or first language is not English, and
- you have had less than four years of full-time secondary school or post-secondary study, demonstrating satisfactory academic progress, in an English-language school system.
Ridgetown Campus reserves the right to deny admission to you if you do not demonstrate satisfactory facility in English, regardless of academic qualifications.
Francophone Canadian citizens educated in Canada will not be required to meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement. You will also be considered as having met the English Proficiency requirement if you completed the International Baccalaureate diploma where English was the language of instruction.
Acceptable English Proficiency Tests
International English Language Testing System (IELTS - Academic)
- Competence Level: Minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)
- Competence Level: Minimum overall band score of 70.
- Please note that the University of Guelph will be accepting the CAEL Online Test for Fall 2021 admission only and will re-evaluate the opportunity for future use.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Competence Level: Internet-based: minimum total score of 89 with no individual scaled score less than 21.
TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition
- Competence Level: Internet-based: minimum total score of 89 with no individual scaled score less than 21.
- Please note that the University of Guelph will be accepting TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition for Fall 2021 admission only and will re-evaluate the opportunity for future use.
- Competence Level: Minimum overall score of 60 and no score less than 60 for any individual component.
Advanced Level of the English Language Certificate Program (ELCP)
- Competence Level: Successful completion of the University of Guelph, Open Learning Advanced Level of the English Language Certificate Program (Levels 9 and 10).
Cambridge English: C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency
- Competence Level: Minimum overall score of 176 with no band less than 169.
- Competence Level: Minimum overall score of 110.
The University of Guelph institution code is 0892.
Fees
| Ontario Resident Year 1 Approximate Costs | In CAD |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $3,198.60 |
| Compulsory Fees | $1,640.00 |
| Co-op Fees (if applicable) | $600.00 |
| Textbooks | $808.00 |
| Residence (Double Room) | $3,420.00 |
| Meal Plan | $4,261.00 |
| Total | $13,327.60 |
| Total with Co-op Fee | $13,927.60 |
| Out of Province Year 1 Approximate Costs | In CAD |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $3,358.53 |
| Compulsory Fees | $1,640.00 |
| Co-op Fees (if applicable) | $600.00 |
| Textbooks | $808.00 |
| Residence (Double Room) | $3,420.00 |
| Meal Plan | $4,261.00 |
| Total | $13,487.530 |
| Total with Co-op Fee | $14,087.53 |
| International Fee Approximate Year 1 Costs | In CAD |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $12,618.08 |
| Compulsory Fees | $2,396.00 |
| Co-op Fees (if applicable) | $600.00 |
| Textbooks | $808.00 |
| Residence (Double Room) | $3,420.00 |
| Meal Plan | $4,261.00 |
| Total | $23,503.08 |
| Total with Co-op Fee | $24,103.08 |
Estimates based on 2022-2023 fee schedule.
Facilities
- Greenhouse
- Arboretum
- Classrooms
- Computer labs
- Lecture halls
- Library and Resource Centre
- Study Lounge
- Student Residence
- Cafeteria
- Gymnasium and Fitness Centre
- Plenty of green space