Graduate Certificate in Garden Design
Course code: GC-GARDES
March, July
AUD $20,496 (2026 indicative first year fee). Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are not available
March, July
AUD $30,496 (2026 indicative first year fee)
IELTS 6.5: with no band less than 6.0
Course structure
Overview
Course structure
The Graduate Certificate in Garden Design is a 50-point program (4 core subjects).
Technical and professional skills
At the end of the course, you will have a broad education in:
- Garden design theory and practice
- Plant growth, production and establishment methods
- Preparing landscape plans, including garden construction
- Identifying and selecting appropriate plants for use in urban landscapes.
If you commence mid-year, you will only be able to enrol in one subject in your first semester.
Sample course plan
View some sample course plans to help you select subjects that will meet the requirements for this certificate.
Graduate Certificate in Garden Design – 1 year part-time
If you commence in the mid-year intake, you will only be able to enrol in one subject (HORT90004 Plant Production and Establishment) in your first semester as HORT90035 Landscape Documentation needs to be completed after HORT90034 Landscape Design.
Explore this course
Explore the subjects you could choose as part of this certificate.
Complete all of the following subjects:
| Accordion | |
|---|---|
| Plants in the Landscape · 12.5 pts |
This subject explores the identification, selection and design use of plants in urban landscapes. The content includes an introduction to botanical nomenclature, plant selection, sources of information, planting design, planting plans, the design use of major plant groups, and recognition and identification of representative plants. Case studies of plant use and management in urban landscapes and relevant site visits are also discussed. |
| Landscape Design · 12.5 pts |
This subject focuses on the role of design in shaping urban landscapes from gardens to broader settings. Design is introduced as a formative stage and process in industry projects. Understanding and application of the fundamentals are developed, including design principles, critique, key figures, culture and history. Through lectures, tutorials, workshops and fieldtrips, students learn design language and techniques, use of planting and materials, modes of graphic representation and communicating design intent. Practitioners from industry will contribute to the subject. |
| Landscape Documentation · 12.5 pts |
This subject applies design principles, landscape materials and graphic techniques required for landscape design drawings in urban environments. Technical skills are developed to read basic surveying and levels for site development; produce detail plans and render key landscape elements (planting, paving, fences, etc.), and verbal presentations. |
| Plant Production and Establishment · 12.5 pts |
This subject provides an overview of the horticultural industry from plant production to installation and establishment of plants in the landscape. It introduces plant propagation techniques and plant growing systems; site analysis, with specific reference to the properties of urban soils and related issues affecting plant performance; plant quality; planting techniques; plant establishment; water delivery and management issues; and the plant maintenance activities during production and at planting that are required for designed landscapes to succeed. |