The Thrive Diploma in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (DipSTH, non-OFQUAL regulated) is the largest curriculum of education in the field of Social and Therapeutic Horticulture available in the UK. Importantly, it supports practitioners towards excellence and the sector towards fuller appreciation as a mainstream therapeutic intervention.
The aim of the DipSTH is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) in any practice setting. On completion you will be amongst the most educated proponents in nature-based interventions in the UK with the expertise to practise excellence.
By providing learning across the key considerations of STH to maximise the inherent benefits of the medium, this course will support practitioners to develop and deliver programmes of STH effectively. You will be able to rationalise how to use STH effectively in any practice situation to provide those who access a person-centred experience relevant to their health, social care, or educational needs.
STH is a multi-model medium which has core values for human health and wellbeing and the potential to be utilised in directed and holistic approaches across the spectrum of intervention models.
With a range of additional values coming from its fusion with other agendas, each STH programme has to be created in line with the delivery context. The units that make up the DipSTH provide an opportunity to engage and critically evaluate how to apply a reasoning process to develop and deliver STH as a successful and sustainable intervention that will achieve the identified outcomes for those who access.
The DipSTH comprises the following modules:
- The fundamentals of STH
- Activity centred on horticulture (double module)
- Occupation and activity as therapy
- Practitioner relationships
- The social environment
- Rationale for practice*
- Practice development
* Please note that for anyone who has recently completed the Thrive Award in STH, they will not be required to undertake Unit 6 – Rationale for Practice of the Diploma. Please contact the TEC team if you have any questions regarding this: training@thrive.org.uk.
The course is a Level 5, 120 credits learning programme, equivalent to a standard higher education diploma.
The DipSTH runs over a 2-year period with 60 credits (600 hours of learning) each year. Modules 1 - 3 are covered in year 1 and modules 4 - 7 in year 2. Maximum 18 days attendance each year is required. Please click here to see the schedule of dates and attendance for this year.
The course fees for the full 2 years are £4200**. These fees can be paid in full, yearly or in 4 instalments in September and January of each year. We are happy to discuss other payment plans.
There are 3 full bursaries available to those who have less than £23,000 personal income per year and are able to demonstrate high levels of commitment to learning and practice.
We try hard to ensure that those who genuinely need support in financing their studies can be accommodated onto our courses. Do consider if the bursary is right for you and please get in touch to discuss finances further if needed.
** A discount on the Diploma course fee is available if you have recently completed the Thrive Award in STH. Please contact the TEC team to discuss further: training@thrive.org.uk.
Please click here to read the full description of the course. Click here to view frequently asked questions or email training@thrive.org.uk if you have any additional questions .
Bursary applications:
The John Weightman bursary provided funding towards the development of the Diploma as well as 3 bursary places per year for a 3-year period commencing 2021.
- Bursary application form
- Bursary application T&Cs (to be completed along with the bursary application form)
Non-bursary applications:
If you would like to apply for a non bursary place on next year's (2024-26) DipSTH, please download and complete the application form below and email it to training@thrive.org.uk.
Important dates:
- Bursary applications welcome from 1st January - 31st March
- Non bursary applications throughout the year
While we are happy to receive non-bursary applications throughout the year, please note the admissions process runs from January to June for the September intake of that year. Any applications received outside this time period will be kept on file for the following year's intake.
For further information on the DipSTH, please have a look at the presentation video below.
An introduction to the Diploma
Find out more about the Thrive Award in STH
Thrive Award in STH