Floristry & Floral Design

If you’re good with your hands and love bringing floral ideas to life, turn your creativity into a career with a Floristry course at Houghall College, Durham City.

Choose your course

You can study full-time or part-time to learn the skills and techniques professional florists use across a wide range of settings.

Floristry overview

Floristry is a highly skilled, creative profession that blends design, technical ability and an eye for detail. Florists work across weddings, events, retail, studios and large-scale installations – and demand for talented designers is growing.

Whether you’re a school leaver or an adult learner, there’s a route for you.

View all Floristry & Floral Design courses by visiting the course finder.

What you'll study

Courses develop the practical skills and technical understanding you need to create professional designs. You’ll work to realistic timeframes and standards, building the confidence to take on real commercial work.

Depending on your level, you’ll cover:

flower and plant identification, conditioning and care
design theory and how to apply it to real commissions
medium, tied, wired and glued designs
event and commercial floristry
planning and producing working briefs
customer service and industry expectations
health, safety and professional practice

Our floristry facilities

You’ll study at Houghall College, Durham City – one of the best specialist floristry training settings in the region. Learn from award-winning lecturers in dedicated floristry studios set up for professional practice, with access to:

professional tools and equipment
cool storage filled with a wide range of flowers and foliage
specialist spaces for hands-on practical work
the wider 476-acre estate, for inspiration and plant resources

Learning beyond the classroom

As part of your course, you’ll also get involved in:

workshops and demonstrations from industry professionals
enrichment activities and floral design challenges
trips to flower markets and floristry shows
work experience in studios, retail florists and events
one-to-one tutor support and specialist careers guidance

Competitions and events

Competing helps you build a standout portfolio and gain experience working under pressure. You’ll have the chance to showcase your work at major national and regional competitions, including:

RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Harrogate Spring and Autumn Flower Shows
North East Culinary and Trade Association Show
WorldSkills UK Live at the NEC

Where it could lead

With the right skills and experience, you could work in a florist’s, design for weddings and events, move into management, run your own business or continue training in floral art and design.

Fees & funding

Course fees vary by level. Full-time courses are free for 16 to 18-year-olds. Adult students may also be eligible for funding depending on circumstances.

To find out more, check our Course Fees & Funding page.