New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Services (Landscape Design strand) - SIT2LRN Distance Learning

Students should enrol and/or complete the compulsory papers in the course before proceeding onto the elective papers.

Compulsory

CLD200 Communication and leadership (10 credits)

This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to supervise and provide instructions to team members, contractors, clients, or members of the public in the context of landscape design.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Describe effective communication principles, aims and tools.
2. Identify barriers to effective communication and strategies to overcome these.
3. Provide practical skills instruction to individuals or a group.

CLD201 Site analysis and survey (10 credits)

This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills to analyse a site profile for a specific landscape project, including cultural and historical factors, in order to analyse the potentials and limitations for a landscape design.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Collate site survey information for a specified landscape site.
2. Identify historical factors influencing a design proposal for a specified landscape site.
3. Identify cultural factors influencing a design proposal for a specified landscape site.
4. Analyse the design potentials and limitations for a specified landscape site in terms of site survey, historical, and cultural factors.

Elective -

Select 40 credits from the following:

CLD202 Plant identification for landscape design (10 credits)

This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills to identify and select plants appropriate for a specified landscape design.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Describe the characteristics of trees, shrubs, and climbers.
2. Select plants for specific uses, conditions and sites.
3. Explain the soil and climatic conditions and tolerances for selected plants.

CLD203 Landscape design planting plans (10 credits)
Available from Intake 3 2019

This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills to use draughting equipment, materials and procedures to prepare working drawings for landscape plantings.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Select draughting equipment and materials suitable for the development of working drawings.
2. Develop working drawings for a landscape project.

CLD204 Design principles for landscape design (10 credits)
Available from Intake 3 2019

This paper provides students with the knowledge of common drawing media and principles in order to complete freehand drawings for landscape design.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Explore and use common drawing media and drawing elements.
2. Explain colour rendering media and techniques.
3. Apply the principles of axonometric and perspective drawing.

CLD205 Graphics for landscape design (10 credits)
Available from Intake 3 2019

This paper provides students with the knowledge of landscape design graphics commonly used to show various components of a landscape plan.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Describe and accurately employ graphics to depict different shrubs and trees.
2. Describe and accurately employ graphics to depict different ground covers and accent plants.
3. Describe and accurately employ graphics to depict hard landscaping features.

CDL206 History of garden design in New Zealand (10 credits)
Available from Intake 3 2019

This paper provides students with the history and changes of garden design in New Zealand, enabling students to apply this knowledge to own designs.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Describe early Māori gardens (pre-European) in different areas of New Zealand.
2. Describe early European settler and estate gardens.
3. Outline the evolution of garden design in New Zealand from early 1900s through to contemporary times.
4. Discuss the emergence of cultural identity garden designs in New Zealand.

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 subsequent 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.

Examples of employment opportunities at the completion of this certificate include: assistant to a landscape design contractor or landscape architect, employment in local authority horticultural divisions, nursery assistant, horticulturalist, farmer and gardener.

School Leavers

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 available through a range of subjects (minimum total 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 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.

Language Requirements
Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate of at least 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, 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 5.5, with no band score lower than 5
• TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) – Score of 530 (with an essay score 4.5 TWE)
• TOEFL Internet- based test (iBT) – Score of 46 (with a writing score of 20)
• Cambridge English Examinations – FCE, or FCE for schools, with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill. OET at Grade C in all sub-tests
• NZCEL – Level 3 with an endorsement of either Applied or Academic
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) – PToE (Academic) score of 42
• City and Guilds IESOL – B2 Communicator with a score of 42
• LanguageCert – B2 Communicator 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:

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

Full-time study

Full-time study is completing six papers (60 credits) per intake. Full-time acceptance into the programme is at the Programme Manager’s discretion, and is not guaranteed.

Part-time study

The number of papers you select to study per intake should depend on work, family, and other commitments. You may enrol in the papers in any order that you wish to study them. 

When selecting papers, try and spread the number of credits evenly across each intake you are applying for. For example, if you wish to complete the Certificate in one year, you could for example, apply for study in Intake 1 and Intake 3. You might wish to apply for 30 credits in Intake 1 and another 30 credits in Intake 3. As a guideline, one credit equates to approximately 10 hours of study within an intake period.

All work for a paper must be completed during the intake in which you are enrolled in it. If you do not complete the paper within the intake, you must re-enrol in the paper in a later intake.

Additional Information

• As a guideline, one credit equates to approximately 10 hours study within an intake period.  Click HERE to download a Study Load Calculator (spreadsheet)
• All papers selected within a particular intake must be completed within that intake unless a transfer is requested (conditions apply; see FAQs) 
• Online enrolments are on a year by year basis and students are welcome to apply for multiple intakes in one enrolment.  Further enrolment is the responsibility of individual students.  There is no automatic enrolment rollover

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Students who have previously completed any NZQA unit standards relating to the above papers can apply to have the unit(s) recognised on their record of learning at SIT2LRN. This is done by filling in a ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’ (RPL) application form and attaching proof of achievement. The RPL application form is available here: http://www.sit.ac.nz/Students/Academic-Support.

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.  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 an 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 under, 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 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 their 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 under (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 under
• 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 Design strand of the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Services (Level 4) with strands in Amenity, Arboriculture, Cemetery, Landscape Design, Landscape Construction, and Sports Turf, and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve:

• A minimum of 60 credits in accordance with the Programme schedule for the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Services (Level 4) with strands in Amenity, Arboriculture, Cemetery, Landscape Design, Landscape Construction, and Sports Turf
• The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Services (Level 4) with strands in Amenity, Arboriculture, Cemetery, Landscape Design, Landscape Construction, and Sports Turf full-time over 17 academic weeks or part-time over 2 years

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

This qualification may build on the relevant strand of the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (Level 3).

The assessments in this programme include taking photos of plants, answering short paragraph questions, as well as drafting plans and freehand drawings.