Courses
Our home study courses offer you the flexibility to complete your assignments when it is convenient for you. You can work at your own pace and spend as much or as little time on an assignment as you need.
Our Classroom-based courses cover the same material as home study, either every other Saturday or one evening a week. It’s up to you. Whatever option you choose you’ll receive the guidance and support of our expert tutors.
Gain a foundation in basic garden design skills and actively participate in the design of your own garden.
No minimum qualification.
Gain advanced knowledge of garden design skills and techniques to become a professional garden designer.
Can be studied as a stand-alone course. No minimum qualification.
Develop an in-depth understanding of garden design skills and principles to set up your own garden design business. Includes optional work placement.
Can be studied as a stand-alone course. No minimum qualification.
What is the difference between the garden design courses and the Higher National (BTEC) horticulture courses?
Our garden design courses focus on the skills and techniques necessary to design and manage domestic garden design projects, set up a garden design business or become a professional garden designer.
Our Higher National (BTEC) horticulture courses cover all of the elements which underpin the subject of horticulture. They focus heavily on the science of horticulture and the business knowledge needed to become a professional in the horticulture industry while following a design pathway in the HND.
Gain advanced entry to the second year of a degree with a fully-recognised Higher National Certificate or learn the practical skills to become a horticulture professional. Includes optional work placement.
Can be studied as a stand-alone course. No minimum qualification.
Gain advanced entry to the third year or final year of a degree with a fully-recognised Higher National Diploma or learn everything you need to start your own successful horticulture and garden design business. Includes optional work placement.
Can be studied as a stand-alone course. No minimum qualification.

The Garden Design Academy of Ireland has earned recognition from the International Approval and Registration Centre (IARC).
The IARC plays a role in ensuring our quality standards relating to course content, delivery, assessment and administration are maintained. IARC's role as an independent recognition association gives reassurance the Academy has undergone checks relevant to the post-secondary education industry in general terms.

The Garden Design Academy of Ireland, as part of the Further Learning Group, is a BTEC approved learning centre.
BTEC has been the most successful applied learning brand for over twenty-five years. BTEC is administered by Edexcel and owned by Pearson Education, the world's largest education company. BTEC courses are offered exclusively by approved learning centres which have been thoroughly vetted.
I would definitely recommend the Garden Design Academy of Ireland. Because you’ve so much contact with the tutors and it’s such a structured course, I didn’t find it difficult to stay motivated… and I was able to fit it around all my other commitments.
Alexandra Hollingsworth
GDAI Graduate & RTE Super Garden Winner
I feel now I’m really hungry for knowledge and I want to know more about garden design. If someone asks me about a garden, I feel confident I can tell people exactly what they need to know… and maybe educate them.
Pat Kinsella
Student, Diploma in Garden Design
I would highly recommend the course. I found the course a great way to get a solid foundation in garden design and to give me direction in terms of getting my own business off the ground. Importantly, it enabled me to execute real life projects.
Catriona Hassett
GDAI Graduate & RTE Super Garden Contestant
I have to say the garden design course has really, really opened my eyes to the concept of how to plan, which had never even crossed my mind before I started the Postgraduate Diploma course. I'm absolutely loving it!
Catherine Noonan
Student, Postgraduate Diploma in Garden Design