Schools Offering Courses
Simon Fraser University
Admissions to the Master of Pest Management program have been temporarily paused. Please go to Master of Pest Management (MPM) – Department of Biological Sciences – Simon Fraser University (sfu.ca) for details.
Okanagan College
The Viticulture program provides individuals with the skills and knowledge to manage a vineyard or seek employment in viticulture. Course work will emphasize the scientific principles underlying grape growing for the purpose of wine production, the various influences on grape quality, terminology, vineyard management including human resource and financial management, vineyard equipment operation and maintenance, and safety. The program consists of 267 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of work experience at a vineyard. Find more information here: Viticulture Certificate
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
The school of horticulture at the Langley campus of Kwantlen Polytechnic University is the biggest college of its kind in Canada, but there are a few other colleges and institutions in B.C. offering horticulture training courses. KPU Website
UBC Botanical Garden
A nine-month, full-time horticultural training course was launched in 2012 at the garden, partly to fill the gap left when the horticulture courses at Capilano University in North Vancouver stopped operating.
Courses are the equivalent of the apprenticeship levels 1 and 2 at Kwantlen, with an emphasis on the fundamentals and practical aspects of horticulture. Students graduate with a horticultural technician certificate.
Douglas Justice, assistant director and curator of collections at the garden, says the course provides excellent opportunities for students to train alongside “industry-leading horticulturists”.
Students get to work in the botanical garden and have access to the experts who work there. UBC Botanical Garden Website
UBC Rose Bancroft Horticulture Scholarship
A scholarship is offered in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems to a Canadian citizen entering the final year who is specializing in Horticulture. The award is made on the basis of demonstrated interest and ability in that area of study. In the event that two students are considered equal, consideration will be given to the need for financial assistance. The award is made on the recommendation of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems. Learn more here. Faculty of Land and Food Systems
UBC Horticultural Bursary
A bursary is provided by the B.C. Council of Garden Clubs to a Canadian citizen enrolled in the final year of the Master of Landscape Architecture program and taking courses in horticulture. Learn more here. Master of Landscape Architecture
University of Northern BC
University of Northern BC offers multiple undergrad and graduate programs in horticulture.
The Forest Ecology and Management degree provides students with a thorough understanding of the science, philosophy, and practice of managing forested ecosystems. Through study and active Students in field learning experiences, students obtain a consistent and broad background in course work that encompasses foundational and integrative topics. Given the range of knowledge and expertise needed to effectively manage forested ecosystems, students are then provided an opportunity to select a minor and pursue a specialization consistent with the overall objectives of the degree. Although the degree is designed to expose students to contemporary knowledge and techniques drawn from a variety of disciplines in the natural and social sciences, students also are encouraged to challenge conventional knowledge paradigms and approaches to forest management.
The Forest Ecology and Management degree is accredited by the Canadian Forestry Accreditation Board, and is administered by the Ecosystem Science and Management Program. UNBC Website
University of the Fraser Valley
UFV’s four-year Bachelor of Agricultural Science with a Horticulture major helps you develop the perfect mix of technical, communication, and business skills to prepare you to play a leading role in the Fraser Valley’s agricultural sector.
In addition to including the core content offered by Horticulture programs in this field (e.g. nursery, greenhouse, vegetable, fruit production and science), the degree has a strong applied focus. Most of the courses are associated with a laboratory section, practical greenhouse work, and/or field trips.
Lab work in Biology, Chemistry, Physical Geography courses provide exposure to laboratory equipment as well as training in report writing and presentations. The Agriculture courses emphasize greenhouse operation, pest diagnosis and treatment, and soil analysis both from a theoretical and practical perspective. UFV Website
Camosun College, Victoria
The full-time 10-month horticultural technician certificate (Foundation Program) is equivalent to Level 1 and 2 landscape/production horticulture apprentice courses at Kwantlen.
It runs from July to April, allowing graduates ample time to find work in the spring. Classes are held at the campus of Royal Roads University, where there is a 2.7-hectare walled garden.
Graduates often start their own garden installation/maintenance business or go to work for golf courses or municipal park departments. Camosun College Website
Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops
Thompson Rivers offers a 35-week full-time Foundation Program, which is the equivalent of levels 1 and 2 of the landscape/production horticulture apprenticeship program at Kwantlen. The course is from August to April.
Graduates end up with a horticulture certificate. It is designed for people who want to go into business for themselves or are seeking mid-management positions with a municipality.
Students are allowed to develop horticultural skill by working on the university grounds at least two days a week. The horticulture program is also responding to an evolving interest in edible landscapes and urban food production. TRU Website
Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo
Formerly known as Malaspina College, it offers a 12-month horticultural technician certificate program, which is equivalent to the foundation program and levels 1 and 2 of the landscape/production horticulture apprenticeship program at Kwantlen.
Students use the 14-hectare G.R. Paine Horticultural Training Centre and the 70-acre Milner Gardens and Woodland in Qualicum Beach for their training.
The horticulture program also includes more than 70 exchange students from Tamagawa University in Japan, a connection that is thought to enrich the horticultural learning of students from B.C.
VIU is building an aquaponics program in collaboration with fisheries and aquaculture. The horticulture program also has partnerships with different faculties on the main campus to offer students a broader range of horticultural experience from culinary arts, geography and forestry. VIU Website
Pacific Horticulture College
The Pacific Horticulture College was established in 1987. Located in Victoria, the college is part of the Pacific Horticulture Centre and students gain valuable hands-on experience at the 42-hectare site which includes 30 demonstration gardens and a Conservation Park. The college provides certificate and apprenticeship programs that balance theoretical instruction and practical training experiences. These programs prepare students for a variety of careers in landscape maintenance; either as self-employed gardeners or as employees in nurseries, municipal parks and public gardens.
(Source: Pacific Horticulture College website link)
Information sourced from article by Steve Whysall in the Vancouver Sun, along with other online sources.
Page Update: 2023-10-12