
Entry Requirements
No previous qualifications required, just an interest & enthusiasm for garden design.

Course Duration
10 days In-Studio + Up to 10 weeks home study - 12 weeks in total

Assessment
No exams — Portfolio assessment by your Tutor and AIM Qualifications.
Course Summary
As an alternative to flexible online study and to accelerate your qualification our live ‘In-Studio’ Course Diploma in Professional Garden Design allows you to work with our expert tutors and join other like-minded garden design enthusiasts for a more hands-on and collaborative approach to your learning. Working with a client brief, you will learn an array of skills taking you from the initial concept stage, through design development and into final proposal stage for a residential garden design project.
What Will You Learn?
With these skills you will be able to tackle your own garden design projects more professionally, start your own garden design business or enter the garden design industry with the practical knowledge required to work with potential clients. You’ll also learn how to establish industry contacts, where to source plants, samples, outdoor furniture, lighting and start to build a design community with your peers.
Whilst receiving hands-on advice directly from our highly experienced NDA Tutors, the In-studio course brings together a fantastic mix of students, helping to create an exciting, friendly and dynamic class with the chance to share ideas with fellow up and coming garden designers.
Course Duration
We are passionate about delivering high-quality courses to our students, and we believe that students learn faster in smaller groups, which is why we cap the number of students attending each course.
What Will I Study?
You will study ten dedicated units during this Professional Diploma
In-Studio Gallery
A selection of our talented Diploma students amazing work!
- UK Government Funding (Diploma)
UK residents pay approximately 50% course fees and funding from the UK government will pay the rest.
- UK Government Student Loan (Diploma)
Accreditation
All NDA Professional Diplomas are accredited by AIM Qualifications. NDA is the only design school to be able to offer funding & student loans because our Diplomas are fully accredited.
In-Studio Diploma Course Fees
UK Students
Full Course Fee £2,390
UK Government Funding
International Students
There are two ways for International students to pay for their In-Studio Diploma:
What Will I Need To Study?
In-Studio Study – All required design equipment and resources will be provided during your time In-Studio, however you will need access to a laptop computer to view course material and the online learning resources.
Home Study – Alongside a computer and an internet connection, there is also essential and recommended design equipment required to complete your NDA Course, all available through the NDA Art Shop at student prices! Throughout home study, you have full online access to our resources and your Personal Tutor.
What's Next?
Careers
The Diploma in Professional Garden Design is designed to help you start your own Garden Design business. Like the Diploma course itself, you can work flexibly for your clients around your family commitments and gradually expand your business.
Higher Education
Once you have successfully completed the NDA Diploma in Professional Garden Design, you will be offered a guaranteed place onto one of our BA (Hons) degrees with a generous Progression Scholarship (such as Design for Outdoor Living BA (Hons)). Degrees are awarded by our academic partner, De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), and they are studied online in the same way as your Diploma.
Ready to pursue your passion for Garden Design?
What Our Students Say...
Hear what past and present students have to say about studying In-Studio at the NDA
I wanted to study, but needed to find a course which would fit in with, and hopefully complement, my busy workload. After looking at different options, I decided the course at the NDA looked like the one for me as it covered a wide range of topics from gardening history and design through to professional practice.
EWElizabeth Whitehead
Diploma in Professional Garden Design
I have massively enjoyed the week. Such a great way to learn both in respect of the different tutors and also meeting such a lovely variety of people. The help in drawing techniques has been superb. Looking forward to week 2!
RWRuth Weaver
In-Studio Diploma Student
The studio course gave me an opportunity to meet my fellow peers, and the tutors. Working as a home student would have suited my work commitments, but attending the studio helped me feel more connected to the school...
ABAnnette Bryan
In-Studio Diploma Student
I needed to find a course which would fit in with and complement my busy workload. After looking at different options, I decided the course at the NDA looked like the one for me as it covered a wide range of topics from gardening history and design through to professional practice.
EWElizabeth Whitehead
In-Studio Diploma Student
What is UK Government Funding?
UK students pay approximately 50% of the full course fee – the balance is funded by the UK Government’s Adult education budget (AEB).
The National Design Academy is the only design school to be able to offer this funding as our Diplomas are all fully accredited by AIM Qualifications.
