New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (Level 3) Landscape Construction strand - SIT2LRN Distance Learning

Compulsory

CLD100  Work in a team for a landscape project (10 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work as an effective member of a team, particularly with regard to communicating and interacting with others during the development of a landscape project. On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: 

1. Define and develop a landscape project with a client.
2. Understand and apply active listening techniques.
3. Identify and describe areas of cultural importance relevant to landscape project development.

CLD101  Identify and select plants for a specific landscape project (15 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and select plants suitable for a specific landscaping project. On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Identify plants which would fulfill a landscape project design brief and local climate/soil conditions.
2. Identify and evaluate different sources for plants.
3. Develop a report for a client which describes both relevant plants and planting times.

Electives
Select 50 credits from the following:

CLD102  Establish a landscape site set-out (10 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify a suitable site, identify and liaise with potentially affected parties, set out site features and establish profiles and make a final set out of site features for a specific landscaping project. On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: 

1. Identify a suitable site for a specific landscaping project.
2. Establish liaison with parties likely to be affected by landscaping work to be undertaken.
3. Identify and set out site features to fulfill a specific landscaping project.
4. Establish landscape profiles and finalise set out to ensure profile pegs allow room to work between profile and feature and accommodate significant feature elements.

CLD103  Establish a hard landscape plan (15 credits)
This paper introduces the concepts of hard landscaping to students and provides them with the knowledge to identify and incorporate hard landscaping features into a landscape design. On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: 

1. Develop a hard landscaping plan for a specific landscape design.
2. Identify, source and cost hard landscaping materials to meet a specific landscape design brief.
3. Describe the maintenance requirements for a hard landscape plan.

CLD104  Establish a soft landscape plan (15 credits)
This paper introduces the concepts of soft landscaping to students and provides them with the knowledge to identify and incorporate soft landscaping features into a landscape design. On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: 

1. Develop a soft landscaping plan for a specific landscape design.
2. Identify, source and cost soft landscaping materials to meet a specific landscape design brief.
3. Describe the maintenance requirements for a soft landscape plan.

CLD 105  Develop a maintenance regime for a landscaped site (10 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills to develop a maintenance regime relevant to a specific landscaped site. On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: 

1. Identify the maintenance issues for a developed landscaped site.
2. Evaluate different maintenance regimes to address maintenance issues for a developed landscaped site.
3. Develop a maintenance regime that can be put in place to maintain a landscaped site.

CLD106  Develop an irrigation or drainage plan for a landscaped site (10 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills to develop either an irrigation or a drainage plan relevant to a specific landscaped site. On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: 

1. Identify the irrigation or drainage issues for a developed landscaped site.
2. Evaluate different irrigation or drainage activities to address maintenance issues for a developed landscaped site.
3. Develop either an irrigation or a drainage plan that can be put in place to maintain a landscaped site.

CLD107  Undertake landscaping activities (10 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills complete landscaping activities such as planting, weeding, construction, or removal of unwanted material. On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: 

1. Review a landscaped site or landscape plan and scope out activities required to be completed.
2. Undertake necessary activities to meet scope requirements, and in accordance with all health and safety regulations and best practices.
3. Evaluate works completed against original scope requirements.

The Zero Fees Scheme applies to this course, so there are no tuition fees as long as you are a New Zealand citizen, resident/permanent resident (residing in NZ), BUT there is a student direct material cost per credit of study undertaken, plus a non-refundable administration fee of $50.00 for each application processed, and the required textbook/s listed below. You must maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain your Zero Fees Scheme entitlement.

Payments must be paid by the due date shown on the invoice. 

Withdrawals & Transfers

• Early withdrawals within the first week of the intake starting are entitled to a full refund of the Student Direct Material Costs but not the non-refundable administration fee of $50.
• Withdrawals have to be requested within 75% of the intake, withdrawals after the early withdrawal date are not eligible for a refund.
• Transfer requests have to be within the first two weeks of the intake starting and will incur a $50 transfer fee. Transfers can only occur to a subsequence intake within the same calendar year.

All SIT2LRN courses are approved by Studylink. Any queries regarding Studylink allowances, loans, and terms and conditions should be made directly to Studylink on 0800 88 99 00 or www.studylink.govt.nz.

The aims of the Landscape Construction strand of the qualification are as follows:

• To gain skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to working as an effective member of a team.
• To provide a base for learners to progress to more advanced studies in horticulture.
• To provide a programme of study that will enhance your knowledge base of routine tasks associated with implementation of a landscape design.

Applicants should be a minimum of 16 years of age, and have attained NCEA Level 2 as follows:

• 60 credits at Level 2 or above, plus
• 20 credits from any level, and

Literacy - minimum of 10 credits at Level 1 or above through either:

• specified assessment standards available through a range of subjects and English for Academic Purposes unit standards 22750 and 22751 (minimum total of 10 credits); or
• unit standards - package of three literacy unit standards (26622, 26624, 26625 - all three required).

Numeracy - a minimum of 10 credits at Level 1 or above through either:

• achievement standards - specified assessment standards through a range of subjects (minimum of 10 credits), or
• unit standards - package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 - all three required).

Mature Applicants
Applicants over the age of 20 years at the time of enrolment will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in a programme. Examples of demonstration of ability to succeed are the provision of evidence of successful completion of a programme of study at Level 2 or above and/or employment in the related sector for one or more years. They may be admitted subject to programme regulations approved by the Head of Faculty in consultation with the Programme Manager as appropriate. Personal commitment and a belief in one's own ability to succeed are important personal traits and will always be taken into consideration during the selection process.

Languge Requirements
Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate of at least 80 percent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having passed an NZQA approved English Proficiency Assessment, or one of the following tests of English language competence in accordance with the NZQA rules below:

• IELTS test – General or Academic score of 5, with no band score lower than 5
• TOEFL Paper-based test (pBT) – Score of 500 (with an essay score of 4 TWE)
• TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) – Score of 35 (with a writing score of 14)
• University of Cambridge English Examinations – FCE or FCE for Schools with a score of 154. No less than 154 in each skill OET at Grade C in all sub-tests
• NZCEL a) Expiring, b) Current – a) Level 3 (General) or (Workplace) b) Level 3 (General)
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) – PtoE (Academic) score of 36
• City & Guilds IESOL – B1 Achiever with a score of 43
• LanguageCert - B1 Achiever IESOL (LRWS) with PASS

Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate below 80 per cent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English must provide evidence that they:

• Have gained NCEA Level 3 and met New Zealand University Entrance requirements or
• Hold a bachelor’s degree of at least 3 years from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, The Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America or
• Have achieved a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, CELTA or
• Have achieved one of the English Language competence tests specified above 

All SIT2LRN courses require you to have a computer and Internet access. Students are required to use their SIT webmail only for all SIT2LRN communications. All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on the online Blackboard system. Once you have been accepted into a programme you will receive an Important Information Booklet that includes information that you can use to familiarise yourself with our online Blackboard learning environment. From the intake start date you will have access to the online course materials to work through.

Facilitator Assistance:  During the enrolled intake period, students have email access to Facilitators, who endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours (week days only).  All students are required, within the first two weeks of an intake, to send an email to their Facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study.  Students who have not emailed their facilitator or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the 2^nd week of an intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme.  Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fees Scheme and Student Direct Material Costs are still liable for payment.

Progress reports are sent out 6-8 weeks after the end of each intake.

We recommend students new to SIT2LRN read through the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website for further study and enrolment information.

Please use the following checklist to ensure that all relevant information and documentation has been included. Remember, your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide us with.  Processing of your application will be delayed if we need to come back to you for missing information.

• I have read all sections of the Programme Information on this page
• I have read the SIT2LRN Frequently Asked Questions section
• I have met all admission criteria for the programme (found under Application Criteria)
• I have met all the criteria for individual papers (found under Course Content).
• I have selected the paper(s) I wish to study
• I have selected intake(s) (I have selected alternate intakes rather than overlapping intakes)
• I know my intended payment method
• If my organisation/company is paying for my studies, I have a completed and approved purchase order to attach to my online application.  I am aware that should my organisation or company not pay my fees, these will become my responsibility.
• I have completed and attached a cross credit form (if applying for a cross credit)
• New students – I have provided an active NSN in the name I am enrolling in or I have verified ID and will attach it to my online application.
• New students – I will attach academic documentation (NZQA record of achievement/academic transcripts/certificates).  These do not need to be verified. (If you do not have any academic documentation to support your application, please attach a comprehensive CV outlining your education and work experience).
• I understand that this is a Level 3 programme therefore, as required by the Tertiary Education Commission, I agree to complete at least one online literacy and one online numeracy assessment as part of my studies
• I have computer access, an Internet connection and access to software to create electronic documents e.g. Microsoft Word or Open Office

What is the Zero Fees Scheme?

The Zero Fees Scheme means we do not charge tuition fees. However, there is a Student Direct Material Cost that you need to pay and a non-refundable administration fee. The administration fee is for processing your application and the Student Direct Material Cost gives you secure access to Blackboard® our online learning environment and to student support services throughout your study with us.

Who qualifies for the Zero Fees Scheme?

• A New Zealand citizen completing the full qualification or 
• An Australian citizen/New Zealand Resident or Permanent Resident who will be residing in New Zealand for the duration of your enrolment.

Instructions to help you with your application:

1. Read the Programme Information on this page and the SIT2LRN Frequently Asked Questions and find out if you meet the application criteria for both the programme and the unit/s you wish to study.
2. Check your eligibility for Zero Fees. If you are not eligible to study under this scheme, please call
   0800 748 257 for further options.
3. Complete your online enrolment checking that:

If you are a new student …

• Provide an active NSN number in the name you are enrolling in (contact NZQA on 0800 697 296 to get your NSN number if you do not know it);
• If you do not have an active NSN, then attach a copy of your verified ID in the name you are enrolling in.
• If you are a Resident or Permanent resident of NZ, please provide a copy of proof of residency;
• Attach all academic documentation to support your application including copies of any certificates of courses you have undertaken / NZQA record of achievement / transcripts / CV;

Attach supporting documents as required and outlined on the previous page.

1. Please check that you have included all the required information and supporting documents.  Your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide.  Missing information will delay the processing of your application.
2. Please scan and email all additional documentation to sit2lrn@sit.ac.nz.

What happens next?

• You will receive an automatic email confirmation when we receive your online application. Processing may take up to three weeks. However, we will get in touch with you sooner if we require further documentation.
• Once your application has been accepted you will be sent a conditional offer of acceptance with an invoice and instructions on how to make payment.
• Once we have received your payment (or if you have opted to pay by Credit Card, Student Loan or Purchase Order) you will be sent an Enrolment Confirmation Letter and Important Information Booklet. Closer to the start of the intake you will receive a Time To Get Started Letter which will give you all the necessary information, tools and guidance to start your study with us.

To satisfactorily complete the Landscape Construction strand of the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (Level 3) Landscape Construction strand, and be awarded this qualificaiton the student mus successfully have:

• A minimum of 75 credits in accordance with the programme schedule for the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (Level 3) with strands in Landscape Construction
• The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (Level 3) with strands in Landscape Construction, full-time over 25 academic weeks or part-time over 2 years.

Please Note: Students failing to engage in study as per programme requirements may forfiet Zero Fees entitltement.

For more information on required and recommended textbooks for this course please refer to the textbook list here. 

Please note that textbooks need to be ordered at least 3-4 weeks prior to the commencement of your study