Master of Horticulture (MHort)

An online Level 6 Award for professional horticulturists

What is the Master of Horticulture Award?

The Master of Horticulture (MHort) Award is designed for experienced horticulturists who wish to advance their knowledge and grow further in their careers.   

A Level 6 Award, competed online over three years, the MHort allows professional horticulturists the opportunity to expand and develop their research, communication, business development and supervisory/managerial skills. At the same time, candidates will engage with a range of industry professionals in the form of programme assessors and fellow candidates.

Please view our FAQs for further information on the programme.

The MHort is recognised by the Education Reform Act 1988. It is a degree-level equivalent, and holders of the award may use the designation MHort (RHS) after their name. 

The award will appeal to those motivated by self-directed research within a varied, yet structured, assessment environment. Interaction for the Award is mainly through the RHS MHort Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Applications for 2024 are now closed

Applications for the 2025 cohort open in late Spring 2025. If you would like to be notified when applications open, please email MHort

Missed our 2024 events?

If you are interested in the MHort Award, watch these recordings from our 2024 events to discover more about the three year programme

Information evening

Discover more about the three-year programme.

48:53
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Information evening
Information evening
Lunch & Learn
Lunch & Learn
Lunch & Learn
Lunch & Learn
Lunch & Learn
Lunch & Learn

Hear from our alumni

Hear from our alumni

Hear first-hand from our current MHort candidates and alumni about what is involved in the three-year programme and how it is benefiting their careers.

4:10

What is covered in the Award?

By the end of the Award you will have an overview of the horticultural industry within a global context. This is combined with the opportunity to specialise in an area of particular interest for the Dissertation Unit in the final year.

You will have acquired improved research, analytical, communication and decision-making skills that will provide you with a better understanding of horticultural issues, debates and challenges, along with appropriate strategies for their management.

Year 1

In the first year you will broaden your understanding of the horticultural environment and develop appropriate skills to underpin your future study. 

Unit 1: Horticulture Now
Horticulture is a wide-ranging profession that encompasses anything from food production to therapeutic gardens. In this unit, you will explore the value of the horticultural industry to society within the context of social, political, financial, and environmental factors. You will become aware of the diverse range of organisations, businesses, and bodies that influence and support the development of the horticultural sector.

Unit 2: Locating and Using Research 
An extensive range of information is available in both digital and print media. This unit enables you to develop skills in finding technical information from appropriate sources and considering its application. You will develop an understanding of how technical research is disseminated with the consequent impact this can have. Unit 2 also considers potential criteria and sources of funding for research across diverse industry sectors. 

Unit 3: Your Management Style
Unit 3 provides you with an overview of practices involved in running a horticultural business within today’s changing environment. This unit considers operational management in terms of organisational ethos, responsibilities, and external factors. You will be able to reflect on the necessary characteristics and responsibilities for horticultural managers whilst understanding the underlying theoretical methods. 
Year 2

In subsequent years you will have the opportunity to select scenarios within assessments to deepen your knowledge in areas that are of interest to you, and are relevant to your chosen career.

Unit 4: Sustainable Horticulture
Sustainability is a global watchword and horticulture is close to its heart. This unit considers the current concerns in horticultural sustainable practices, and explores how you may value, defend, and manage designed landscapes or productive areas in the future. Social and ethical responsibilities along with global implications are a vital part of 
horticultural management.

Unit 5: Horticulture and Society
How can the diverse sectors of horticulture effectively engage with a range of audiences, to enable them to understand the relevance of the industry to society? This unit will help you explore the opportunities and challenges involved in working with different garden and business audiences, in addition to communities, and identify appropriate techniques for doing so. An understanding of the consideration of ethics, health and safety, welfare and accessibility will be developed.

Unit 6: Strategy in Action
This unit builds on skills and knowledge developed in Unit 3, to broaden your understanding of strategic management. It develops your ability to interpret and evaluate data to make informed decisions whilst understanding how internal and external drivers bring about effective change. You will be required to apply strategic thinking, and to monitor and evaluate an existing business.
Year 3
The final year provides the opportunity for you to demonstrate how you would apply your knowledge in a real-life setting.

Unit 7: Professional Practice
The Professional Practice Unit brings together all the learning and skills acquired in the two preceding years of the MHort, allowing you to show the application of your theoretical understanding to real-life horticultural scenarios. In addition, there is an emphasis on being able to communicate effectively in the professional environment. The exams for this unit will take place across two days.

Unit 8: Dissertation
Unit 8 provides an opportunity for you to identify an area in which you can carry out research. The dissertation is an opportunity to show a high level of engagement with a topic of your choice, demonstrating an awareness of latest research and gaps in knowledge, and devising relevant research methodology. The final work shows how you have analysed and evaluated the information you have discovered and made this into a robust academic document.

Key documents for 2024

Applications for the 2025 cohort open in late Spring 2025. If you would like to be notified when applications open, please email mhort@rhs.org.uk.

These documents will be updated when applications for the 2025 cohort open.

How is the Award completed?

  • Delivery takes place online through the Virtual Learning Environment, which allows you to complete the programme around your own work and home schedules
  • You are provided with all of the Unit start dates and assessment hand-in dates at the beginning of the programme
  • The majority of assessments are written tasks varying from reports and essays, to literature reviews and presentations

  • You will engage in professional discussions and complete a viva at the end of the final year
  • All assessments will be marked by a team of experienced assessors, with constructive feedback provided to help you grow in your next assessment
  • At the start of each academic year there are optional launch workshops. This is a great opportunity to meet the assessing team and your fellow candidates
  • Throughout the programme there will be additional optional opportunities to meet with and engage with your fellow candidates and the MHort team, plus wider industry professionals

What are the entry criteria?

For entry into the MHort programme, and to allow you to get the most out of the programme by drawing on your own experience, knowledge and skills, you must hold the following:

  • At least four years of full-time professional work experience in horticulture, at least one of which should be in a supervisory role or position of relevant responsibility
  • A full Level 3 qualification in horticulture
  • A sound level of academic writing
  • Basic IT skills, especially in Word and PowerPoint (or suitable alternatives)

If you are unsure if you meet the entry requirements, or if you have any other questions, please email the MHort team at mhort@rhs.org.uk and we will be happy to discuss your individual situation with you.

What are the time requirements?

The programme is completed over three years, but candidates have the option to defer for a year if necessary. Dates for all assessments are issued in advance.
 
The amount of time you need to spend studying will depend on your own experience and schedule. You should expect to spend time on assessments most weeks and to plan time carefully.

Are there any perks?

In addition to advancing your knowledge and growing further in your career, you will have:

  • Access to all three RHS libraries in the UK. 

  • Access to a bespoke selection of e-books and online academic journals, to assist with the completion of the Award.

  • ​An online subscription to Horticulture Week magazine is also available.

  • RHS Student membership is provided for all MHort candidates, giving free access to all RHS Gardens, a subscription to The Garden magazine, discounted rates on RHS Show tickets and access to RHS advisory teams, among many other benefits.

  • Fellow MHort candidates will add to your professional network across the globe. There is an RHS Alumni scheme, enabling you to connect further with fellow RHS Award holders.

Any questions about the MHort? Please email the MHort team at mhort@rhs.org.uk or see our FAQs page for further information.

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