RHS Level 2 or 3 in Practical H

Hi there,

I have just started long distance learning the Principles of Horticulture Level 2 and am now looking at starting a Practical course. As I work full time realistically at this point I wont be able to take two years to study it and so I was contemplating trying to undertake the Level 3 Practical H course at my local college. Ideally with this one day out at work I would aim to study 9-1.30 at college and then do a few hours, perhaps 3-5 volunteering at local charities, helping service users build gardens. I currently co-facilitate volunteers doing this at my work place and want to get stuck in myself!

Has anyone done this? Was it a massive leap? Did you feel you had missed out greatly on course content?

I would like to do these courses partially as I would like to do Horticultural Therapy, but mostly because I am keen to study and grow as a gardener. I have studied well at degree level and so feel I could be up for the challenge. When I started the Level 2 in Principles of H I had already decided that I would sit the Level 3 exams through self studying afterwards. 

Help!