You bring your passion and we bring the skills, mastery and magic

Our school was born in 2008 from a deep passion to offer an alternative, creative, and flexible path into floristry and flower arranging-one that rivals the traditonal approach in both depth and value. We pride ourselves on our ability to continually innovate and enhance our courses, ensuring that your experience is always enriching and up-to-date.

What we offer

Professional Floristry Courses

Professional from Beginners to Masters

Recreational Floristry Courses

Short Courses and Workshops

About Our  School

Academy team and

School facilities

News and Events

Our most popular courses


Open Days

Come and meet us and look around our school with booked time slots available on our open days. The next available dates are Sat 16th Nov 24 and Sat 11th Jan 25. We can also organise a Zoom call with you if you prefer.

To give you time to ask questions and talk about your journey we offer 1 hour time slots

Please use contact us box at the bottom of the page for available time slots.


Quick view on course starting

Check the calendar to see which courses are starting for each month. Dates for the summer and autumn 2024 terms are listed below. Our dates for 2025 are just being finalised and will be added shortly.

January
Course Date Link
Advanced Funeral Designs 13th Jan 2025 TBA Find out more
Split week Handtied course 27th Jan 2025 £945 9.30 to 4pm Find out more
Career Changer- 6 Week Course Mon 27th Jan 2025 Find out more
February
Course Date Link
Fundamentals split week Arrangement course Mon 10th Feb 2025 £945 9.30-4pm Find out more
Fundamentals split week Wedding floristry course Mon 3rd March 2025 £945 9.30-4pm Find out more
March
Course Date Link
Mother Day Workshop March 2025 TBA Find out more
Fun Flower Workshop March 2025 TBA Find out more
April
Course Date Link
Advanced Wedding Designs May 2025 TBA Find out more
Career Changer- 6 Week Course Mon 28th April 2025 Find out more
May
Course Date Link
Fun Flower Workshop May 2025 TBA Find out more
Split week Arrangement course Mon 12th May 2025 £945 9.30am to 4pm Find out more
Advanced Wedding course May 2025 TBA Find out more
June


July
August
Course Date Link
Fun Flower Workshop (Hand-tied Bouquet Delight) Sat 17th 10am till 12.30pm Find out more
Fundamental Handtied Week Course Mon 19th to Fri 23rd 9.30 till 4pm Find out more
September
Course Date Link
Masters level 5 10 month course Mon 2nd Sept 24 Find out more
Masters level 4 10 month course Mon 9th Sept 24 Find out more
Career Changer 6 week premium course Mon 16th Sept 24 Find out more
Advanced Large Scale and events course Mon 16th Sept 24 Find out more
Handtied course split week course £945 Mon 16th Sept 24 Find out more
Heart of Design £360 two day course Wed 18th Sept 24 Find out more
Gardening course £150 one day course Mon 23rd Sept 24 Find out more
Business 2 day course Thur 26th Sept and Thur 3rd Oct 24 Find out more
Arrangement split week course £945 Mon 30th Sept 24 Find out more
October
Course Date Link
Fun Flower Workshop (Autumn Door Wreath) Sat 5th Oct 2024 Find out more
Floristry Wedding & Bridal 14th October 2024 split week Find out more
Mock & Exam 17th & 24th October 2024 Find out more
Fun Flower Workshop (Pumpkin Flower Arrangement) Sat 26th Oct 2024 Find out more
November
Course Date Link
Fun Flower Workshop (Luxurious Autumn Arrangement) Sat 23rd November 2024 Find out more Course Date Link
Fun Flower Workshop (Living Star Arrangement) Sat 30th November 2024 Find out more
December
Course Date Link
Fun Flower Workshop (Traditional Kissing Ball) Sat 7th Dec 2024 Find out more
Fun Flower Workshop (Christmas Table Design) Fri 13th Dec 2024 Find out more
Fun Flower Workshop (Classic Christmas Wreath) Mon 16th Dec 2024 Find out more

Courses include

Real time filmed demonstrations presented by our Master florist tutors, over 100 films available for our beginners with three years access to support you during the early stages of your career.

Comprehensive Academy curriculum with in-depth kowlegde and focus on learning practical skills, practice to improve and attention on commercial floristry.

Range of handouts, sample forms and guides to support and develop your understanding and efficiency as a florist.

Our Academy student forum is there to connect with classmates and former Academicians, who will help you by answering your questions. Access to information, events and possible job opportunities.

Some of our courses have multi access which can be mixed and matched to suit your learning style and lifestyle. You are also able to build up the subjects you need and when you need them.

Supportive and extremely knowledgeable tutors who are there to support and cheer you on your journey.

Highest qualified teaching team in the country.

What others say

Latest News from the Academy

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FAQs

Who Are the Academy?

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.
I am a total beginner - is this a course for me?

We are a British Floristry Association (BFA) Institute of Professional Florists (IoPF) College member. We have a tutor on the BFA education board. Plus we are a City & Guilds accredited center.

What will I be able to do once I have completed this course?

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.

What will this courses include?

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.

What happens if I can’t make a lesson?

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.

What will I learn besides the floral designs?

Flower Arranging - poisonous and irritant plant, care of flowers, using sundries and mechanics.


At level 2 – Flower and foliage names, poisonous and irritant plants, costing, customer care, buying, ordering, care of flowers and elements and principle of design.


At level 3- Branding, costing for your business, environmental concepts, applying design skills and inspiration from abroad. Corporate clients and customer care.


At level 4- Business and marketing studies, historical influences, botanical science and event planning.


At level 5 – Running a business including laws and legislation, accountancy, people management, plant science and international studies.

How do the professional floristry your courses work?

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.

Are your floristry courses flexible?

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.

Is there a lot of written paper work or assessment?

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.

What are the classrooms like?

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).

What qualification do I get?

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.

Is this qualification recognized?

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).

How long will it take me to qualify?

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

When do your courses starts?

You have a choice of start dates throughout the year, spring, summer and autumn.

What happens when I leave?

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.

Academy of Floral Art Ltd ® • British Academy of Floral Art ® © 2024

Registered in England and Wales, number 8814756. Registered Office at 3 Dunchideock Barton, Dunchideock, Near Exeter, Devon, EX2 9UA VAT No 193457380

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