FAQ
Whether you’re completely new to floristry, considering a career change or looking to develop your existing professional skills, we know that choosing the right flower course can come with plenty of questions.
Below, you’ll find more information about studying with UK School of Floristry, booking a course, visiting our Manchester school and continuing your learning afterwards.
BECOMING A FLORIST
How do I become a florist in the UK?
There is no single route to becoming a florist in the UK. Some florists begin with formal training, while others develop their skills through shorter practical courses, work experience and continued practice.
If you’re considering floristry as a career, we recommend building a strong foundation in practical techniques, flower care and conditioning, floral design and the commercial aspects of working with flowers.
Our Course Pathways can help you choose an appropriate starting point, from an introductory Taster Class through to our six-day Career Course.
Do I need qualifications to become a florist?
No. You do not need a particular qualification to work as a florist in the UK.
Practical ability, a good understanding of flowers and floral design, confidence with core floristry techniques and experience are all important. Training can provide a structured way to develop those skills and help you understand the realities of working within the floral industry.
Upon completion of our Career Course or Career Course: Mentored, students receive a UK School of Floristry Certificate of Completion.
Can I train as a florist with no experience?
Yes. Many of our courses are designed for complete beginners and you do not need any previous floristry experience to start learning with us.
If you’d like to explore floristry before committing to longer training, our Taster Class is a relaxed introduction to working with flowers. Students wanting to develop a broader range of practical skills can progress to our Floristry Foundation, while our Career Course can also be undertaken with no previous experience.
How long does it take to train as a florist?
There is no fixed amount of time required to become a florist.
Our Career Course provides six days of concentrated, hands-on training across the core areas of commercial floristry. However, becoming confident and experienced as a florist is an ongoing process involving practice, further learning and, where possible, experience working with flowers in a professional setting.
Many students continue developing their skills after completing a course through independent practice, work experience, further specialist training or our online Flower Class membership.
CHOOSING & BOOKING YOUR COURSE
Which floristry course is right for me?
The right course will depend on your current experience and what you’d like to achieve.
If you’re completely new to flowers, our one-day Taster Class is a relaxed introduction and a good way to discover whether you’d like to learn more.
Our Floristry Foundation develops a broader range of practical skills, while our six-day Career Course is designed for those seriously considering becoming a florist, starting a floristry business or developing a thorough understanding of professional floral design.
For florists already working within the industry, our specialist Intensives and private tuition provide opportunities for more focused professional development.
You can also explore our Course Pathways or contact us if you’d like help choosing the most suitable course.
Is the Career Course suitable for a complete beginner?
Yes. No previous floristry experience is required to attend the Career Course.
The course provides a comprehensive, practical introduction to professional floristry and is designed for students who are seriously considering entering the floral industry.
Some students choose to complete our Taster Class or Floristry Foundation first to build their confidence and familiarity with flowers, but this is not a requirement.
What is the difference between the Career Course and Career Course: Mentored?
Both options include the same six days of hands-on Career Course training at UK School of Floristry.
Career Course: Mentored also includes a year of continued learning and support following your practical course, including Flower Class membership and six bi-monthly online mentoring sessions with Joseph Massie.
It is particularly suited to students who would value continued guidance as they develop their skills, portfolio or floristry business after leaving the school.
Are your courses suitable for experienced or working florists?
Yes. Alongside our beginner and career courses, we offer specialist training for established florists and floral designers who would like to strengthen their skills, explore new techniques or develop a particular area of their work.
Our Wedding Intensive, Installations Intensive and private tuition options are particularly suitable for those with existing floristry experience.
Each individual course page explains the recommended experience level.
Do you offer wedding floristry courses?
Yes. We offer wedding floristry training at different levels.
Our Wedding Foundation introduces students to essential wedding floristry techniques, while our Wedding Intensive with Joseph Massie provides more concentrated professional training for florists looking to develop their wedding work further.
Wedding floristry is also an important part of our six-day Career Course.
How do I book and pay for a course?
Available courses can be booked online through our website, where you’ll find current dates, availability and course fees.
For many courses, you can either pay the full course fee when booking or secure your place with a non-refundable booking fee and pay the remaining balance before the course begins.
The precise payment options and balance due date are shown on each individual booking page. Your place is secured once the required payment has been successfully completed.
Are flowers, materials and tools included?
Yes. Flowers and materials are included in your course fee unless otherwise stated on the individual course page.
We also have the tools, mechanics and additional materials required for your course available to use at the school. If you already have your own floristry snips or toolkit, you’re very welcome to bring them with you.
On most courses, you’ll also be able to take home the individual floral designs you create.
VISITING UK SCHOOL OF FLORISTRY
Where is UK School of Floristry?
Our hands-on floristry courses take place at:
UK School of Floristry
The Makers Quarter
16 Worrall Street
Salford
M5 4TH
We’re located close to Manchester city centre and Salford Quays.
Our Accommodation & Travel page includes further information about reaching the school, parking and places to stay nearby.
What time do classes start and finish?
Teaching times vary slightly between courses, but our full-day classes generally begin between 9.30am and 10am and finish between 4.30pm and 5pm.
Once you’ve booked, we’ll send you confirmation of the exact schedule and practical information for your particular course.
Can I travel to the school by public transport?
Yes. UK School of Floristry is easily accessible from Manchester city centre by public transport.
The school is around a ten-minute walk from Cornbrook tram stop, with connections to Manchester city centre and the main railway stations.
Further travel information can be found on our Accommodation & Travel page.
Where should I stay during a multi-day course?
Students regularly travel to study with us from across the UK and overseas.
Our Accommodation & Travel page includes suggestions for areas and accommodation close to the school. Accommodation is not included within your course fee and should be booked independently.
Where possible, we recommend choosing flexible or refundable travel and accommodation arrangements.
Can international students attend your courses?
Yes. We regularly welcome students from around the world to study with us in Manchester.
Students are responsible for arranging their own travel documentation, visas, accommodation and insurance where required.
If you need specific information about your course to assist with your travel arrangements, please contact us before booking.
Can I cancel or transfer my course booking?
Our cancellation and transfer terms depend on when your request is made.
If you cancel more than one month before your course begins, you may be entitled to a refund of the course fees paid, less the applicable non-refundable booking fee. Cancellations made within one month of the course start date are not normally eligible for a refund.
Transfers are not automatically guaranteed and depend on course availability, the timing of your request and the terms attached to your booking.
Please contact us in writing as soon as possible if your circumstances change and read our full Terms & Conditions before booking.
What happens if UK School of Floristry cancels a course?
Courses are subject to minimum attendance levels and may occasionally need to be amended or cancelled.
If UK School of Floristry cancels your course, you’ll be offered the choice of transferring to another suitable course or receiving a full refund of the course fees you have paid.
We cannot reimburse additional costs such as travel or accommodation, so we recommend booking flexible or refundable arrangements wherever possible.
Please see our full Terms & Conditions for further information.