Horticulture Training Program
Applications for 2026-27 Open Spring 2026
Interested in a career in horticulture, gardening, forestry or landscape architecture? UBC Botanical Garden’s Horticulture Training Program (HTP) is the only full-time horticulture training program in Metro Vancouver north of the Fraser River.
Jump to:
About HTP
Running from late summer to spring, this comprehensive eight-month, full-time program is designed to teach you the fundamentals of plant sciences, plant identification, soil management, design, park maintenance, aesthetics, business practices and community awareness. Whether you want to become a landscape architect, commercial landscaper, arborist or urban farmer, the UBC Botanical Garden Horticulture Training Program can provide you with the foundational skills and knowledge you need to advance your career.
Benefits
Study at UBC
Study at The University of British Columbia, consistently ranked among the 40 best universities globally, and now among the top 20 public universities in the world.
Red Seal Credits
Receive credits equivalent to Level 1 and Level 2 of the Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist Apprenticeship.
Beautiful Garden Grounds
Work on the grounds of beautiful UBC Botanical Garden and Nitobe Memorial Garden.
Application Process
See below for eligibility requirements, important dates and fees, details about the application process and policies.
Please review the required documentation listed below and prepare everything before starting the application, as it cannot be saved and returned to later.
To apply, you must submit digital copies of the following:
- Your most recent transcript
- Proof of graduation from high school, with a minimum average of 70% in each of the final two years
- Proof of meeting UBC’s English language admission standards
- Proof of completion of either Principles of Mathematics 11, or Foundations of Mathematics 12 (or equivalent course
- Personal statement of 250-500 words detailing your interest in the program, previous horticultural experience and future career plans upon program completion
- References: Please provide 2-3 written references from employers (former/present), colleagues, teachers that speak to you applying to our horticulture program, letting us know what makes you a good candidate for the Horticulture Training Program
Successful applicants must have the following:
- Proof of graduation from high school, with a minimum average of 70% in each of the final two years
- Proof of meeting UBC’s English language admission standards
- Proof of completion of either Principles of Mathematics 11, or Foundations of Mathematics 12 (or equivalent course)
For more information, please view the accordion above. Students are required to register with Skilled Trades BC and create a personal account.
2024/2025 Rates
There is a non-refundable application fee of $50 for this program.
Tuition is $4500 CAD and material fees are $1500 CAD.
Total cost is $6000 CAD.
- Module 1 – $1500 ($1125 tuition plus $375 materials fees)
- Module 2 – $1500 ($1125 tuition plus $375 materials fees)
- Module 3 – $1500 ($1125 tuition plus $375 materials fees)
- Module 4 – $1500 ($1125 tuition plus $375 materials fees)
In addition, students are responsible for their own hand pruners (Felco secateurs), rain gear, safety boots, work gloves, textbooks, academic supplies, transportation and entry fees for field trips. Please note that although this course is run through UBC Botanical Garden, students do not pay UBC student fees or receive a UBC Student card or benefits.
Applications for the 2025/26 cohort has been closed on May 15th, 2025.
While there are some different avenues for funding, our program is not approved for government student funding.
There is also apprenticeship funding you can apply for after completing the program, and depending on your eligibility, past students have gone through WorkBC and WorkSafeBC for funding.
Enrolled participants who do not complete the four modules in sequence may be charged an additional application fee if they seek to resume studies.
Key Details
Discover whether the program is the right fit for you, and learn about future opportunities and key requirements.
The UBC Botanical Garden Horticulture Training Program is an ideal choice for individuals wanting a career in horticulture or an associated field, or who wish to gain foundational knowledge for professional purposes. The program is best suited for those who can devote the necessary time to this full-time program.
Our program requires physical exertion in an outdoor environment; participants need to be physically able and in good condition.
Experiential learning will be emphasized through onsite practical training and outdoor classroom activities. With a schedule that includes four days on-site at the world-class UBC Botanical Garden and flexibility to complete technical learning tasks at home, students will be able to balance the demands of school, home, and work while receiving a rich and immersive horticultural education. Every facet of horticulture will be explored and students will finish with a foundation of skills that will enable them to pursue a career working with plants.
Training will be delivered by the Principal Instructor and the experienced and knowledgeable staff at UBC Botanical Garden. Successful students receive four UBC certificates and credit for Level 1 and Level 2 technical training from the Skilled Trades BC, which counts towards earning a Red Seal certificate in Landscape Horticulture. If you are considering a rewarding career working with plants, join us this year in the UBC Horticulture Training Program.
The University of British Columbia is recognized as a Skilled Trades BC designated training provider in the Landscape Horticulturist Program. The program is endorsed by the Industry Training Organization, HortEducationBC.
*(THE) Times Higher Education, (ARWU) Academic Ranking of World Universities
Graduates of the HTP are well-prepared to apply for entry-level positions in the following:
Landscape, Park and Garden
- Residential garden design and construction
- Garden maintenance
- Parks horticulture operations
- Botanical garden operations
- College and university campus horticulture operations
- Commercial landscaping
- Golf course operations
- Irrigation technician
- Regional District parks operations
- Urban farming
Indoor Plants
- Interior plant design, installation and maintenance
- Green walls
Plant Production
- Food, ornamental plants, Cannabis
- Greenhouse technician
- Nursery worker
- Assistant/head grower
- Small scale farming
- Integrated Pest Management Technician
Urban Forestry
- Climbing arborist
- Consulting arborist
- Ground crew
- Plant health technician
The eight-month cohort program consists of four separate eight-week modules. Each module is approximately 275 hours of classroom and practical instruction and is composed of a series of 3-5 courses.
Instruction is fully integrated with horticultural activities in the Garden and garden staff participate in training and mentoring.
Horticulture instruction is undertaken using the facilities of the Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden Nursery, Nitobe Memorial Garden, Totem Research Fields and the UBC landscape at large. Instruction includes a variety of off-site field trips to various horticultural organizations and operations.
Students are assessed on proficiencies in horticultural knowledge and practice through a variety of methods including oral, written and practical assignments and a complete final evaluation at the end of each course.
A passing grade of at least 70% is required on all assignments, tests and courses to complete the program successfully.
Course failure within a module requires the student to repeat the course the next time it is normally offered. Failure of more than three courses within a module requires the student to repeat the entire module.
Students are expected to abide by UBC policies on Academic Freedom, Academic Honesty and Student Conduct.
Curriculum
The HTP is an entry-level program introducing students to the fundamentals of landscape horticulture. The program follows the provincial horticulture apprenticeship, enriching the base curriculum with supplementary materials and practical, hands-on activities and training.
Learn more about the application processProgram Schedule
View our schedule, including application deadlines and term dates for the upcoming year below.
Information Session Recording
Visit a recording of our past information session for key details about the program brought to you by Principle Instructor Allison Luke.
HTP Student project gallery
Check out some of the HTP Student projects below!
FAQs
Expand the questions below for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the HTP program.