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RHS Level 2 Theory - self study

bluerocketgirlyYTbzYfa0bluerocketgirlyYTbzYfa0 Posts: 3
in The potting shed
Hello,

I’ve been considering taking the RHS level 2 theory, while I’ve been tempted to enrol with an online course, I just don’t have the money to give to it. Instead I noticed someone on here ages ago had decided to teach themselves. I quite happily have taught myself topics and did research at Uni so am capable. I would then enter myself for the exams.

Does anyone have any experience of RHS Level 2 and would you say that this is feasible?

Hints and tips etc welcome.

Many thanks

Rachel

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Hello Rachel, 
    I've had a look back through some old threads on the forum and although there are several questions over the years about taking level 2 as a distance course l can't see anyone who has actually done it that way.
    I think @LG_ and possibly @chicky have done the course but actually at a college so have tagged them (l hope they don't mind).
    With luck they can advise you.
    Welcome to the forum  :)
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    edited September 2023
    I'm not sure I can help much. As @AnniD says, I've done it, but at a college, AND the curriculum has now changed quite significantly. I'm sure it's possible to teach yourself, but I know I couldn't have done. If you decide to go down that route, I would strongly suggest two things:
    1. find others studying the same thing (there will be online discussion groups etc) so you don't end up misunderstanding / missing the point of some stuff by accident, and 
    2. use past papers. A lot. I can't speak for how the curriculum or exams have changed, but I know that half the battle was understanding what the RHS wanted, and going through past papers and answers made a huge difference to that. 

    Good luck!
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • bluerocketgirlyYTbzYfa0bluerocketgirlyYTbzYfa0 Posts: 3
    Thank you for your answers.

    I do have teaching experience and so I am just hoping I can work with the RHS methods and learn how to respond. If the past papers were not available, I don’t think it would be possible but I am willing to have a go. I started teaching myself gardening at the beginning of the year in more depth, I have now got very used to the Latin names and will study any suggested books.

    It’s nice just to hear from you, I hope the study has been useful for you.

    For me it’s just personal development so it’s a good structure for me to use even without the exams.

    Thanks again.

    All the best

    Rachel
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Personal development here too, and I LOVED it. Was only intending to do one theory course, ended up doing two plus the practical course, then on to a year-long planting design diploma, and may yet do something else 🤣
    Enjoy 🙂
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • chickychicky Posts: 10,410

    @bluerocketgirlyYTbzYfa0 ….. Like LG I went to college to do both the theory and the practical- but I too was on the old syllabus.  Totally agree with previous comments, especially the bit about past papers.  The trouble at the moment is there is only one past paper for the new syllabus, so not much to go on really.  If it were me,and you are under no time pressure to get a qualification, then I would wait for a couple of years for the new syllabus to settle down, and for a history of past papers to build up.  The new syllabus is VERY different from the old from what I understand.

    There is a very useful facebook group called RHS Exams Study group where people share their notes and experiences …. Worth joining that and asking the same question there.


  • bluerocketgirlyYTbzYfa0bluerocketgirlyYTbzYfa0 Posts: 3
    Thank you for your comments, good sound advice. I think I will start studying as said and the. Wait awhile before doing exams as I’m in no rush! Best wishes 
  • SlumSlum Posts: 385
    I did it independently and paid to sit the exams at a local college. I worked through the syllabus with a course textbook. What wasn’t in the book I researched online. The past papers and mark schemes were very useful in helping me understand what the examiners were expecting. Having to do all of this wasn’t unusual for me as I’m a teacher and I’ve taught many different courses over the years, although nothing remotely linked to horticulture. 
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Same as @LG_ and @chicky, I  did the course at college.  I  felt I learned almost as much from my fellow students as I did from the course itself. That said our tutor was excellent but sadly has moved on from the college now.  I  agree about the past papers,  as there were examples,  we looked at in class, where the example answers had a very different emphasis from the one most of us would have given. 
    Our syllabus was very specific about what they expected so study that very carefully  before you start. 
    AB Still learning

  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Allotment Boy said:
    That said our tutor was excellent but sadly has moved on from the college now. 
    Did you know he's on Instagram, @Allotment Boy ? He gave me a reference recently 🙂
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Thanks, I  am not on Instagram but could be tempted to have a look.  I  know he is in Japan now. 
    AB Still learning

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