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I have no previous experience or background in gardening or design, is that a problem?
If you already had these skills then you wouldn’t need to learn them from us, so there is no pre-requisite for this course except a genuine interest in the subject and obviously an ability to read and write clearly. (Please note that special arrangements can be made for people with learning difficulties. Please contact us for further information.) All of our course materials are prepared to the highest standards and are written in language that is easy to understand and free from unnecessary jargon; if you have a genuine interest and desire to learn, then we will provide you with the best means to achieve that goal.
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Do I need to be able to draw?
As a designer, it will be essential for you to communicate your ideas through visual means, but as we have previously said, if you already had these skills then you wouldn’t need to learn them from us. Drawing is done with the aid of a drawing board and rulers, so if you can draw a straight line then you can produce plans and elevations. On this course, you will be given step-by-step instructions to produce detailed drawings, and by the end of the course you will be shown exactly how to create drawings and specifications to a professional standard. Furthermore, you will learn how to enhance your client presentations through the use of mood and concept boards, and by the end of this course you will be able to communicate your ideas proficiently and to a professional standard.
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Will this course sufficiently prepare me to work professionally as a Landscape & Garden Designer?
Yes. The course assignments will ensure that you learn the important skills and knowledge that are vital to work in this industry. Even more importantly, you will understand how to apply those skills in practical ways with your clients. From the very beginning of the course you will physically see the effects of the choices you make, so you will know from first-hand experience what works and what doesn’t. There is no better way for you to learn the course material, and to build your confidence at the same time. The feedback you receive from your tutor throughout the course will confirm your strengths and weaknesses, encouraging you to achieve your best work and to continually improve your ability so that you can pursue your new career with confidence and vigour!
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Will my qualification be recognised?
Yes. All the courses offered by Limperts Academy of Design have been carefully structured to meet both national and international standards in education and the landscaping and garden design industry itself. Currently Limperts Academy of Design are one of only a few organisations in the world to offer high quality training in landscaping & garden design (as opposed to physical gardening or horticulture) and the high standard of work that our students produce is earning us a strong reputation in this rapidly growing industry. Our qualification is extremely strong, but even more so is the level of skill you are likely to achieve through this programme. In every practice you will find that potential clients and employers will judge you primarily by your portfolio; this is the most important tool as it shows clients exactly what you can do and this is currently the most common way to secure work. By the time you have completed this course successfully, you will have built up a strong portfolio of work that will be a testament to your ability. Furthermore, it is proposed that this diploma course will form the first stage of a BTEC HND (Higher National Diploma) in Landscaping & Garden Design, which is valued at 240 University Credits (equivalent to 60 US Semester credits). The BTEC HND is one of the most sought after awards worldwide, and this is testimony to the quality of our training programmes. The full HND programme is scheduled to be available from early 2006 so by enrolling on this diploma course you can take the first steps towards achieving this goal!
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Is there an exam?
This subject is not like traditional academic subjects, and examinations of the conventional kind are not appropriate for testing these types of skills and knowledge. On completion of all course assignments, you will be given a Final Project that incorporates everything you will have learned throughout the course into one major project. The project question will be a typical job requirement or client brief, and this should give you the confidence to actually begin working in the industry afterwards and it will be an important part of your portfolio work. You will be asked to complete the project within a set time frame, which is usually about 3 months, and you must pass both the coursework AND the Final Project in order to receive the award.
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What happens if I fail?
Each course assignment is returned to you with detailed feedback to tell you exactly where your strengths and weaknesses lie so that you can continually improve your work to meet the standards required by the industry. If any of your course assignments are below standard, they will be returned to you by your tutor and you will be asked to re-do the assignment, taking on board the tutor’s comments and helpful feedback. This doesn’t happen regularly, but regardless, it’s all part of the learning process and after all that is what this course is all about.
Your assignments will be graded Pass, Merit or Distinction, and you must complete all assignments successfully and the final project before you will be awarded the Diploma in Landscaping & Garden Design. Having completed all the assignments successfully, it is very unlikely that you will fail to achieve the standard required on the Final Project. In the event that your project does not meet the required standards, you will be given the opportunity to re-submit once for a nominal fee.
It should be noted that from the outset of this course your work is measured against the industry standards and not merely other students. By the time you have completed this course in full, you should be properly prepared to work proficiently in the industry. Furthermore, your grades should give you a good indication of how you compare against industry standards. The grading system will be explained in full in the student handbook that accompanies this course. (back to top)
How long does it take to complete an assignment?
The “average” time spent on each assignment is between 10 and 12 hours. This is a professional qualification and clearly it requires commitment to achieve what is required. However, this is a creative and enjoyable subject , and “study” in the conventional sense does not apply to these assignments. All the coursework is very practical and while students will admit that it takes commitment, they all stress the enjoyment factor and sense of pride and achievement in their work.
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Are there any additional costs not included within the course fee?
This course may be paid for in full or through our instalment method. All registration fees, learning materials, tuition and exam fees are included within the course price and we stress that there are no hidden extras. Students will obviously need to purchase standard stationery items themselves, and we would always encourage students to buy books and magazines to get as many ideas as possible. However, the course materials are very thorough and contain all the information needed to complete the course. Students must cover the cost of posting assignments to us for grading, and Limperts Academy of Design will cover the cost of return postage.
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Who will be my tutor?
When you send in your first assignment, you will receive details of the tutor who has been assigned to you and how you may contact them. All our tutors are practising consultants and professionals who are actively working in the industry, and they tutor on a part-time basis. If your tutor is not immediately available when you call or e-mail, they will get back to you within 24 hours on a normal weekday. 90% of the time you will probably receive a response within one hour.
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Will I be able to learn this subject sufficiently through home study (distance learning)?
More people than ever are now choosing home study, making it one of the fastest growing ways of learning, and for good reason. Home study may be unfamiliar to you personally and it’s natural if you have some concerns, particularly about learning a creative subject such as this. However, Limperts Academy of Design have enrolled students in over 17 countries, helping them to achieve standards of excellence through home study that has frequently been described as “impossible”. Our commitment to providing quality training programs has resulted in unique teaching and student support systems that produce unparalleled results. In short, students on our courses consistently produce higher quality work, achieve at higher levels and in a shorter period of time than conventional wisdom suggests possible. The continuing achievements of our students and the professional recognition and external validation of our programs is testament to the quality of our courses and we believe that we can provide you with the best way to achieve your learning goals. The advantages of home study include:
- You can work at a pace to suit your schedule
- You never miss a class or lecture
- You will save wasted travel time, that can be spent on coursework
- Start dates are once a month, so you can begin anytime and don’t have to wait for the academic year
- Not least, there is a considerable saving in choosing the home study method as the tuition costs and facility overheads are greatly reduced
There are many support tools in place to encourage you as a home study student, and our Home Study students consistently produce a high standard of work. The course materials are all extremely clear and easy to understand, and the feedback you receive from your tutor is invaluable in helping you achieve your goals.
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