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Membership Criteria (pdf)
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Membership criteria
To be a Member of the Institute, or accepted as Associate, Affiliate or Student, you must be working (paid or unpaid), or have worked or be studying wholly or largely horticulture, or be in a branch of science or arts directly linked with horticulture. Admission to the classes of membership is based on a combination of horticultural experience and qualifications.
Membership grades and the qualifications you require are listed below:
- e-Affiliates would normally be employed in or studying an area of horticulture.
- Affiliates 0 - 4 or more units
- Associate 5 - 11 units
- Member 12 or more units
- Fellow as below
Fellowship: Fellowships of the Institution of Horticulture are awarded to individuals who have achieved a significant profile in their professional capacity, in a field of interest or expertise which contributes to the charitable objectives of the Institution. As a Fellow, you will be entitled to the letters designate FI Hort. Applications for Fellowship must be supported by existing Fellows of the Institute.
Eligibility for units
- Academic criteria (note that these are not cumulative, i.e. the highest qualification gives the unit value for academic criteria)
Relevant PhD 10 units
Non-relevant PhD 5 units
Relevant Masters 9 units
Non-relevant Masters 4 units
Relevant Bachelors Degree (Hons) 8 units
Non-relevant Bachelors Degree (Hons) 3.5 units
Relevant Bachelors Degree/Botanic Garden Diploma/
RHS Masters 7 units
Non-relevant BachelorsDegree 3 units
Relevant HND/Foundation Degree 6 units
Non-relevant HND/Foundation Degree 2.5 units
Relevant HNC/Level 4 5 units
Non-relevant HNC 2 units
Relevant National Diploma/RHS Advanced Certificate/
Level 3 4 units
Relevant level 2 e.g. NCH/RHS Certificate 3 units
Equivalent qualifications to those stated will be accepted.
Maximum number of units for academic achievement = 10
- Work experience
0.5 units for each 6 month relevant work experience at appropriate level. Relevant university placements may count towards the applicant’s work experience.
Business members: these will be organisations or companies who employ one or more persons as horticulturist(s) or a branch of science or arts with a direct bearing on horticulture, who wish to promote the aims of the Institute. A Business Member may nominate up to three representatives to receive Institute publications and attend all Institute events but not vote at any meeting of the Institute.
Student membership: applicants will be on a course of education that will enable them to qualify to be an Associate or Member in due course. Student members are encouraged to take part in all Institute affairs and will receive an electronic publication.
Free membership for a year is given to winners of Institute of Horticulture Prizes awarded at a number of horticultural colleges, and to national finalists of the Institute’s Young Horticulturist of the Year Competition.
Family membership: Two people living at the same address who elect to receive only one copy of The Horticulturist will receive a reduction of £25 on one subscription. Each member will be graded individually according to the criteria. Student members or those claiming other discounts are not eligible.
Admission to the appropriate grade of membership is determined on the basis of the information supplied. Wherever possible applications should be supported by two Members of the Institute. Copies of certificates, a curriculum vitae, and confirmation of employment are also acceptable.
Application forms for membership may be obtained from the Institute office