Make nature your classroom

Capel Manor College is London’s environmental college, offering a diverse range of full and part-time courses in further and higher education for school leavers and adults.

Over the last 50 years, Capel Manor College has helped thousands of school leavers and adults achieve their dream of working with animals, plants and the environment. Students at Capel Manor College are immersed in a hands-on, creative and practical outdoor learning environment, with exceptional, industry-experienced tutors who are experts in their fields.

As London’s only environmental college, we are proud to play a vital role in the capital's green agenda. You can gain qualifications with us that are valued by land-based employers and begin, or boost your career in our natural world.

Students will join an inclusive, diverse and passionate community of around 3,500 students across five London campuses. The College’s campuses are located at Crystal Palace Park, Enfield, Gunnersbury Park, Regent’s Park and Mottingham. As part of their studies, our students have the unique opportunity to obtain real-world experience and help take care of the College’s estates, gardens, farms, zoos and commercial businesses.

School leavers

If you are leaving school soon, it is time to start thinking about your next steps. One of the biggest decisions you need to make is whether to stay on at school and go into sixth form or go to college.

Vocational qualifications at colleges can offer a fast track to employment or university as they allow students to demonstrate they are better prepared for the workplace or higher study. As a student at Capel Manor College, you will get the opportunity to work outdoors and in real-life environments, as well as in the classroom.

Adult learners

We offer a variety of full, part-time and industry short courses for adults considering a career change, wanting to upskill or learn something new, enabling you to plan studying around your schedule.

You will learn from industry-experienced tutors in a practical environment, providing you with the opportunity to gain qualifications valued by land-based employers across the world.

If you are concerned about the cost of studying, there are a range of options available that may be able to help you with funding.

Apprenticeships

As an apprentice, you have the opportunity to earn while you learn through hands-on training, enabling you to gain confidence in the working environment of the industry you wish to start or progress your career in.

Higher education

Are you thinking about higher education? You can study a vocational degree with us. Our higher education programme is delivered in partnership with the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), one of the leading land-based universities in the world. You can study animal management and zoology, or a zoology top-up. You will benefit from high quality academic and practical teaching across our first-class facilities. This includes the Manor House, laboratories and our mini zoo – home to our growing animal collection.

Industry training

We offer an extensive selection of industry short courses ranging from horticulture to arboriculture.

These courses are designed to provide you or your employees with specialist training and skills to bring them in-line with rigorous industry standards. All of our courses are run by qualified instructors, most of whom are members of the LANTRA professional register.

Discover our range of courses:

Agriculture

Choose from a variety of agriculture courses, and earn the qualifications you need for a career cultivating the land, growing and harvesting crops and breeding providing high welfare to a range of livestock species. You will study a multitude of topics, whilst gaining first-hand farming experience working at our certified organic Forty Hall Farm, as well as at Mudchute Farm, developing the practical skills and knowledge for progression to higher education, or to start your career in agriculture..

Animal management

Explore your passion for animals with specialist courses in animal management, zoology, and veterinary science. Capel Manor College manage and look after more than 1,000 animals in our extensive zoos, collections and farms across our London campuses at Crystal Palace Park, Enfield, Gunnersbury Park and Mottingham. Our animal collection ranges from mammals and birds, to reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Capel Manor College offer a range of nationally and internationally recognised animal management courses, ranging from further to higher education. Taught by industry-experienced professionals and designed to support progression to employment, our courses can provide you with invaluable theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

Arboriculture and forestry

Arboriculture (tree surgery) involves the planting, care and maintenance of individual trees in woodlands, rural and urban areas. It is closely linked to forestry, which is the science and practice of managing forests and woodlands. Capel Manor College offers the perfect location for your studies with over 35 acres spread across the capital as well as many local woodland sites maintained by college students. You will gain invaluable subject knowledge, along with hands-on skills learning how to operate, maintain and use modern industry machinery and equipment. Our full, part-time and apprenticeship courses open up numerous educational and career opportunities; many of our students’ progress to higher education to further their studies or enter careers within the industry.

Dog grooming

There will always be a demand for dog groomers. If you want to create bonds with dogs of all different breeds, shapes and sizes, and work in a professional salon or set up your own business, then Capel Manor College’s dog grooming courses are perfect for you. You will have the opportunity to meet clients and their dogs to develop your customer service skills. Staff will teach you a diverse range of grooming techniques, as well as how to complete pet health checks. They will support you to expand your business knowledge and understand how to market and run your own business.

Floristry and event styling

Learn to develop your creativity with our diverse range of courses in floristry, event planning, floral art and design, balloon artistry and event styling. Our full, part-time, evening and apprenticeship courses combine both practical skills and theoretical knowledge. Capel Manor College have an in-house retail training facility at our Enfield Campus and we regularly participate in exciting, high-profile national competitions, such as the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. You will be encouraged to take advantage of these unique opportunities, where you can gain valuable work experience. Our courses, with the exception of our workshops, will give you the opportunity to gain nationally and internationally recognised qualifications with the prospect of progressing to further study, higher education, employment, or starting your own business.

Foundation learning

Capel Manor College's Foundation Learning and 14 to 16 provision prepares young people to progress onto land-based vocational pathways or other suitable progression routes such as employment, apprenticeships, other vocational study or supported internships. Students receive high levels of individually-focused support and will develop personal, social and employability skills. Students undertake a range of class-based and practical hands-on activities, introducing them to the various areas of the land-based industry. Additionally, Capel Manor College help them to develop their skills in English, Maths and personal development.

Garden and landscape design

Capel Manor College has a long-established reputation for delivering garden design courses of the highest quality with a core focus on today’s challenges of climate change, sustainability, and health and wellbeing. You will be encouraged to showcase your skills by entering your work into nationally and internationally renowned design shows, exhibitions and competitions. Our students regularly win awards in RHS shows such as Chelsea, Hampton Court and Chatsworth. The College offer a range of full and part-time, nationally-certified courses within garden and landscape design..

Horticulture and professional landscaping

Capel Manor College has been a centre for horticultural studies since 1968 and has developed an unrivalled reputation for excellence and strong industry links. By studying with us, you will be introduced to a unique array of plant collections, both within our campuses and across the capital, providing you with the opportunity to work within some of London’s most prestigious parks and gardens. Improving the quality of London’s gardens and landscapes is of paramount importance.. Your developing knowledge and skills will enable you to get involved in the design and implementation of gardens for a variety of national horticulture shows, as well as the regeneration and redevelopment of parks and gardens in the local communities.

Maths

If you are aged 19 and over and want to improve your numeracy skills, Capel Manor College offer free online and in-person courses in maths. You can try our one-day Everyday Maths Skills course running for 10 weeks for a refresher in all things numerical to help you in your day-to-day activities. We also offer an Everything Maths one-day workshop, and an Upskilling in Maths course delivered online one day per week for 10 weeks. Alternatively, if you want to achieve a formal qualification, or boost a lower existing grade, you can study our GCSE Maths online course.

Saddlery and shoemaking

If you are interested in horses and horse riding, or working with leather and have artistic flair, then one of Capel Manor College's leatherwork courses is the ideal choice. We offer the prestigious and historic Worshipful Company of Cordwainers’ Diploma in Saddle, Harness and Bridle Making, as well as the Access to HE Diploma in Shoemaking.

Our saddlery and leatherwork courses are taught through practical demonstrations and hands-on workshops, helping to provide you with the skill set needed for working within the leather industries. Our students enter the industry working for saddlery businesses and Master Saddlers whilst others take up apprenticeships to further their training. Skills learnt on our courses are transferable and our students go on to work with a wide range of employers in areas such as luxury leather goods makers, the British Army and the fashion industry.

Wildlife and environmental conservation

Capel Manor College's wild and open spaces play a vital role within our economy, making the need for conservation professionals imperative. You will study a variety of exciting course topics that include managing a range of UK habitats, surveying plants and wildlife, guided walks, countryside estates skills, wildlife ecology and environment, machinery operations and industry-based work experience. You will learn the specialist knowledge required along with gaining the extensive hands-on field experience needed to manage habitats, conserve wildlife and the environment.

Register for an upcoming event

Capel Manor College welcome school leavers and adults to their events. You are welcome to bring guests to our in-person events, if you find it helpful to have a friend or family member with you.

Advice Evenings
Get course advice and support from 5pm to 7.30pm.

Open Days
Explore a campus near you from 10am to 3pm.

Virtual Advice Sessions
Speak with us online from 6pm to 8pm.