City & Guilds Diploma in Floristry (Level 2)

Location: Cardonald Campus
SCQF Level: 5
Start Date: 28 Aug 2025
Qualification Type: Other non-advanced qual
Course Type: Full-Time
Duration: 1 Year (August to June)

Applications open 15th January 2025

This City & Guilds Diploma in Floristry Level 2 course provides the essential skills required for a career in floristry. You will be assessed using specified criteria and work to commercially acceptable timeframes. You will learn about different flowers and plants and how to look after them, how to construct a wide range of floral designs by developing an understanding of the principles of design and how to add creative finishing-touches.

Taught by our multi award winning department, you will gain knowledge of how the floristry industry operates, business structures and the environment as well as developing the skills required to interact with customers and to identify their needs.

What will I learn?

Introduction to art and design for florists
Identify check and monitor the quality of incoming materials
Identify and maintain the condition of plants and planted designs
Plan prepare and construct tied floristry designs
Plan prepare and construct funeral designs
Plan prepare and construct floral arrangements
Plan prepare and construct wedding designs with floral materials
Display of floristry goods
Introduction to working in the floristry industry
Introduction to function decorating using floral displays

Full time students are scheduled to be in class for 2.5 days per week as well as self study outwith class time. Part time students will be in class 1 day per week over the course of 2 years.

Entry requirements (minimum)

It is desirable that you have some prior experience of floristry before enrolling on this course e.g.

Some creative experience is an advantage especially with regards to fine motor skills, Craft skills or Art skills.
If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.

Basic Sundry items are included however we recommend a minimum of £25 - £30 per week for Sundries, accessories and fresh flowers, this is for part time students. Full time students should expect to pay a minimum of £40 per week for accessories and fresh flowers.

Some students may be entitled to a bursary to support their financial commitment.

Employer and industry links

This course aims to provide a clear ‘line of sight’ to work and to enrich learning.

Additionally, within the course structure, we include valuable industry links via visits to flower wholesalers and suppliers, guest speakers with relevant industry expertise who will give talks, masterclasses and workshops. These experiences gives a realistic insight to the industry, and the skills required to work in it.

The College is affiliated to the British Floristry Association and you will be kept informed of events they host and be encouraged to attend.

Jobs and further study

Achievement of this qualification demonstrates to employers that you have the technical skills and knowledge required for positions as a trainee or in introductory florist roles.

Alternatively, you may progress to the Level 3 Advanced Technical qualification or to an apprenticeship in floristry.

Making an application

For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.

Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.

I've applied — what happens next?

When you apply

You will receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application (remember to check your SPAM folder).

Your application will be reviewed by the admissions team, and you will either be:

Made a direct offer (unconditional or conditional)
Invited to book an interview session
Advised that your application is unsuccessful – you have not met the entry requirements for this course and are advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
We aim not to reject an application and if you don’t meet the entry requirements you may be referred to a different course or level.

If you are invited to interview, you will be informed of the outcome of your interview by email within 14 working days. The outcome will be one of the following:

Unconditional offer of a place – you have met all the entry requirements and your place is guaranteed. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your place.
Conditional offer of a place – your place is secured pending you meeting the entry requirements. This may mean achieving school or college qualifications which you may not be able to provide to us yet. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your conditional place. Once your conditions are met this will change to an unconditional offer of a place which you must accept before you can enrol on the course.
Waiting list – you have met all entry requirements, and have been interviewed however, the course is now full so you have been placed on a waiting list. If any spaces become available you may be contacted, usually around the course start date. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
Reserve list – following your interview, you have unfortunately not been successful in this round of recruitment. We have placed your name on a Reserve list and your application may be reconsidered at a later date. This could happen any time up to the start date of the course but it is very possible that you will not be offered a place. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
Unsuccessful – your interview has been unsuccessful. You may be offered a place on a course at a different level, or advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.

Once an offer is received, you must reply within 14 working days or risk losing your place, as the system will automatically decline your offer after 14 days.

You will be invited to attend our Open Day where you can meet with the staff and existing students, and you will be given a tour of the campus.

Once you have accepted your offer, you will be sent out instructions about student funding, joining instructions and induction date.