Diploma in Landscape & Garden Design
Career Opportunities
Skilled landscaping and garden designers are highly sought after and there are plenty of job opportunities available, some more obvious than others. On successful completion of this course you may work freelance (self-employed), by offering consultancy services directly to individual clients, or you may investigate other opportunities for employment including the following...
- Landscaping show-homes for builders & property developers
- Garden design consultancy services offered through nurseries and garden centres
- Working as an in-house landscaping & garden designer at an architectural firm, providing a total design service to clients
- Freelance consultancy service for local authorities and area development agencies
Currently, this is one of the few courses available in the world (and the only home study course that we know of) to offer a course of this depth specifically aimed at those pursuing a career in landscape and garden design, as opposed to general landscaping and gardening. By the time you complete this course , you can expect to achieve high levels of skill and knowledge, with a strong portfolio of work to give you credibility and extremely good chances of entering this industry at a progressive level. Should you wish to progress further, you may continue onto our HND (Higher National Diploma) in Landscape & Garden Design. Under the current HND proposal, this diploma course will form the first part of the HND program, so by enrolling on this diploma course today you could already be taking your first steps towards that qualification. Within the next couple of years, we plan to offer students the opportunity to continue right up to degree level in this subject - entirely by home study.
Professional Associations
After successful completion of this course, students may be eligible for membership in the following professional associations:
Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA)
The Design Ecademy students can become members of the ALCA, which is an association dedicated to providing the education and government representation resulting in the enhanced professionalism of members and the public’s perception of Landscape Contractors and the “Green” Industry. The ALGA provide services and benefits to members that can reduce their cost of doing business.
PLANET - Professional Landscape Network
The Design Ecademy students can become members of PLANET which is an International Association for a Professional Landscape Network, serving design professionals, installation & build professionals, lawn care professionals, exterior maintenance contractors and interiorscapers. PLANET provides its members with a good business foundation to help them evaluate, plan and better manage their companies. Member firms have direct access to marketing tools, industry specific business publications, updates on legislative issues and networking opportunities that can assist them in becoming more profitable.
Garden and Landscape Designers Association (GLDA)
Students of The Design Ecademy who are studying the Landscape and Garden Design course can join the GLDA as Friends of the GLDA. Full membership can be applied for after gaining three years practical experience in garden design and submission of a detailed portfolio for assessment, which is carried out by an independent Assessment Panel. Full membership is awarded to designers who demonstrate high standards of professionalism in garden and landscape design.
