BA (Hons) Professional Floristry and Floral Design (Top Up) PT

About the course

The course is delivered at University Centre Myerscough and awarded by the University of Central Lancashire. This is a specialist Honours Degree that has been designed for students who have completed the Foundation Degree in Professional Floristry and Floral Design, or an equivalent HND programme in a design discipline.

The course will develop your skills in floral design whilst encouraging individual creative development. It will enable you to reach your full potential as a floral artist. You will study a range of modules including one specialist module that is designed to develop your creative expression as a floral artist. One module will enable you to carry out a programme of design based research where you will gain expert knowledge in your chosen field of study. Additional modules cover the strategic management of a business and the establishment of client contracts and consultancy. There is also a focused study of modern floral art design trends, international developments and styling, based upon personal career development.

You will also be given the opportunity to exhibit large scale floral art pieces at local and national galleries, work on live briefs at a strategic level and consult with local/national industry bodies.

Year 1
Year 2

Year 1

Floristry Enterprise and Consultancy

An in-depth study of running and working within a floristry practice. Students will develop the ability to identify issues affecting the success of floristry enterprises and develop appropriate solutions. Students will appraise floristry enterprises and develop a business model which could be used for self employment on completion of the course. This module will also develop the students’ ability and professional competency in marketing themselves so as to deliver and manage consultancy services within a legal and ethical framework.

Global Issues in Floral Art and Design

This module aims to support and encourage ambitious design work, research and development through understanding international/global development and trends in the floral industry. This module allows students to research an area in detail. It need not be directly related to a floral art and design. The Tutor will guide the student as to suitable topics to enable them to find sources of information. The research project might be in a particular specialism that may be progressed upon graduation.

Personal Planning and Career Development

To further develop an understanding of career development in the floristry and floral design industries. Students will develop a plan for their future career and set targets within this. Students will gain an understanding of marketing and self-promotion for professionals within the industry. Students will develop their own philosophy of design and create a final professional portfolio which echoes this. Self-promotional marketing materials to enhance exhibitions in other modules will be produced. Students are encouraged to work with other professional specialists as a client including photographers, graphic designers and web site technicians.

Year 2

Dissertation

This module will allow students to research an area in detail. Students will become specialise in one aspect related to a floral art and design. The Tutor will guide students as to suitable topics to enable them to find sources of information. The dissertation might be in a particular specialism that the student wishes to progress upon graduation

Floral Art (Double module)

This module is a largely practical one. Students will develop their own techniques drawing inspiration from a range of international floral designers/artists. Students will gain experience in large scale public exhibitions to communicate their personal style and ethos of design. Students will develop technical competence in a wide range of international floristry skills.

Entry requirements & additional information

Entry requirements

Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject or 2 years (one at Level 4 and the other at Level 5) of Honours Degree work in a related discipline achieved at ‘merit’ standard or above. Career experience plus evidence of study skills may also be considered. Applicants with alternative equivalent qualifications will also be considered positively.

Applicants for whom English is a second language must be able to demonstrate proof of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at level 6.0 (with no component score lower than 5.5) or equivalent.

All offers may be subject to successful interview.

Learning and assessment

Learning Environment:

Lectures, seminars, one-to-one tutorials, studio professional development, live briefs, exhibitions.

Assessment:

Exhibition assessments, presentations, VIVA and Professional Discussion, professional portfolio design/website, social media and marketing, research folios, professional working documents.

Additional Information:

Myerscough College host an Annual Floral Art & Design Exhibition. Students studying the BA (Hons) Professional Floristry & Floral Design course exhibit at this event as a final year research led project.

Study tours may include:

• British Floral Association FleurEx Trade Show

• Holland Study Tour

• Covent Garden/London Study Tour

• Brugge ‘Winter Happenings’ Fleur Creatif Show

• Finland Cultural Exchange with sister college

• RHS Tatton Flower Show

• RHS Chelsea Flower Show

• Harrogate Spring & Autumn Flower Shows

• WorldSkills competitions

• World Association of Flower Arranging Societies Annual Show

• National Association of Flower Arranging Societies shows/club nights

• American Institute of Floral Design Annual Symposium – USA

What work experience can I get?

Students will be expected to exhibit their work in a public environment. Students will also work on live briefs with relevant floristry enterprises both on an enterprise and consultancy level.

The course is structured to ensure that lectures are built around the peak periods of Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day to enable students to be active within the industry at these times. A variety of opportunities are constantly given to students to work as part of the floral events team at Myerscough. Students will develop their communication skills at a national and international level by communicating with Professional Trade Bodies and at research conferences.

Progression

Students successfully completing this course may go on to:

Arts Health MA/PGDip/PGCert

Ceramics MA/PGDip/PGCert

Design MA/PGDip/PGCert

Surface Pattern (with placement) MA/PGDip/PGCert

Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE)

Careers

The course aims to provide students with the opportunity to work at graduate level in the floral design industries. It promotes an ethos of self-development and reflection of practical and technical floristry and enterprise skills. Module content emphasises the importance of career development and planning throughout. Examples of possible careers include:

• Floral Artist

• Author

• Self-employed with own business

• Freelance Floral Designer

• Exhibition work

• Demonstrator

• Floristry/Design lecturer

• Buyer/Designer for multinational stores

• Researcher

Professional accreditations

British Florist Association, City & Guilds, National Association of Flower Arranging Societies.

Special requirements

Extra Costs:

Additional costs for items that are essential for the course include:

· Floral design tools and equipment - £300

Additional costs for opportunities and items that are optional for the course include:

· Camera and tablet/laptop - £200