FAQs
The British Academy of Floral Art is a top UK floristry school and is the place to train if you want to become a successful florist/ floral designer or just to have the experience of a creative floral journey. You have the opportunity to follow the success of our past students who have achieved RHS Gold medals, set up their own successful businesses, either freelance or shops, or go on to become floristry teachers, judges or
demonstrators.
We teach over 120 students per year
We explore modern and current trends as well as traditional methods.
World class qualified teaching team with experience of over 18 years.
We have lots of great options if you are a beginner/new designer from half day workshops in a wide range of design styles, or you may enjoy our 5 week Floral Design Course, creating a new design each week. Or if you are serious about exploring floristry then the career changer course or split week courses could be perfect for you. Everything is demonstrated and explained with time for you to make your own creation.
When complete:
Flower Arranging- we offer a range of taster floristry and flower arranging workshops and courses which are designed for you to learn floral skills to decorate the home.
When qualified
Floristry Level 2 – you will be fledgling Florist, giving you the opportunity to create everyday designs either as a freelance florist or when given the opportunity to work in a shop. Plus you can move on to our level 3.
Floristry Level 3 - you will be an advance Florist capable of making a wide range of floristry orders, have a greater understanding of your individual style and the floral industry and from here you may want to establish your own business. Access to C&G level 4.
Floristry Level 4- City & Guilds you will have the title of Higher Diploma in Floristry (ICSF) which will enhance your design ability and support you in business, manager level in a shop, teacher, demonstrator, judge.
Floristry Level 5- City & Guilds Master Diploma in Professional Floristry (MDPF) highest level achieved, giving national recognition as a top floral designer, teacher, business owner or high level manager.
Practical lessons that are supportive and friendly that give you tuition and clear demonstrations of design construction and techniques, covering a full range of current commercial and floral designs.
To successfully complete the course it is important to attend all lessons. If through unexpected circumstances you have to miss a lesson please let your tutor know as soon as possible.
No refund can be given for missed classes; however as a gesture of good will we will endeavour to offer you an alternative date to catch up the missed lesson when the unit is repeated; this is subject to application and availability. It is the student's responsibility to organise this date with the Academy.
If the Academy has to cancel a lesson for any reason, we will ensure that you are given an alternative date to catch up the missed class.
Flower Arranging - poisonous and irritant plant, care of flowers, using sundries and mechanics.
At level 2 Career Changer/Fundamental courses – Flower, foliage and plant names, poisonous and irritant plants, costing, customer care, buying, budgeting, planning, sketching, ordering, working with wholesalers, photography, alternative mediums, explore environmental considerations, techniques, top tips, care of flowers and elements and principle of design, basic setting up a business, marketing and a whole load more form out fabulous tutors.
At level 3- developing of above plus branding, profit drives for designs, buying sheets, reducing waste from your business, environmental concepts, applying design skills and inspiration from abroad, working with corporate clients, customer care, staging photography more techniques and skills and creating profitable work to fit with your style.
At level 4- Business management and marketing skills, historical influences and how to use to create trends, botanical science and event planning and execution, supporting software, demonstration skills, international schemes of design, sources of inspiration advanced techniques and skills and development of photography skills
At level 5 – All of above developed plus running a business including laws and legislation, accountancy, people management, plant science, international studies influences and trends, cultural influences. Large scale event work, environmental practises,
We have split the professional floristry courses content into subject units, these can be taken individually or built up to into a full qualification.
To achieve our full qualification you need to complete:-
Level 2 – 3 practical units, the heart of design unit and pass the practical exam unit.
Level 3 – 3 practical units, the heart of design unit (if not taken at level 2) and pass the practical exam unit.
Level 4/5 – 5 practical units and exam unit- 3 years from registration to complete course.
There is no time restriction on completing the full level 2 and 3 and you pay for and complete one unit at a time. The flexibility of the course helps to support your personal floristry journey and build around your life style and business.
Level 4 and 5 City & Guilds needs to be completed within 3 years of registration.
Professional Floristry Qualifications
Our level 2 and 3 practical units have been designed so that there is no written paper work or classroom assessment. To develop your skills and confidence as a florist the units are hands on and practical. To enhance your knowledge we cover theory and costing in the class through discussion and hand-outs. There is an final practical exam if you would like to achieve the full qualification.
Level 4 and 5, City & Guilds there is an equal balance of written and practical work, to achieve each unit you have to pass the set assignment or assessments written by City & Guilds. To achieve the full qualification there is a theory and practical timed exam.
Flower Arranging Classes
Theses recreational classes have no course work or paper work, just pure practical and demonstrations.
The classrooms provide a creative space for you to relax and enjoy your course. The class sizes are small so you have plenty of one to one with the teacher. Tea/ coffee is provided free of charge. Plenty of free parking at our venues.
(Our recreational flower arranging classes may at some venues have a maximum of 20 per class).
Flower Arranging – These courses are purely recreational and have no formal qualification.
Level 2 and 3 – On the completion of each unit you receive a certificate of attendance. To achieve our full level 2 or 3 you need to complete 3 practical units, the heart of design unit and pass the practical exam unit, then you will receive a British Academy of Floral Art level 2 or level 3 certificate and a studied at the Academy pin for your website.
Level 4 and 5- On completion of a single unit you may request a certificate of attendance. On completion of full units and passing of exam you will receive a City and Guilds Certificate and an Academy of Floral Art Master Training Program level 4 or level 5 certificate and a studied at the Academy pin for your website.
Yes, this qualification is recognized by our professional body the British Floristry Association (BFA) and once qualified you can become a member on their Institute of Professional Florists register. The level 2 and 3 is based on national floristry standards so that you can gain employment as a Florist. You can enter UK Worlds Skills and with our certificate, you can carry on studying our Master training program City & Guilds Floristry level 4 & 5 ( which is recognized worldwide).
The fastest you can achieve:-
Level 2
Fast track– 6 weeks.
Weekly – 1 year.
Weekends 18 months.
Weeks – 2 to 3 months
To give you flexibility you can do more than one unit at a time, which would reduce the amount of time to complete the course.
Level 3- 1 year
Level 4 and 5 – 24 months
You have a choice of start dates throughout the year, spring, summer and autumn.
As a student you become a member of our Academy family with access to continued support via our private Academy student facebook group, where you can ask any question and have support from tutors and past students. Plus we will send you a newsletter keeping you up to date on Academy events, trips, workshops and courses that may benefit you.
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