Applications

Enrolment

Applications for 2025 will close on 31 Dec 2024.

The number of student places is limited by the number of Tutors. Whilst we look to meet as much demand as possible, unfortunately a place cannot be guaranteed for all applicants. Places are not allocated on a first come first served basis, but are rather based on the availability of Tutors in the applicant's geographical region and the content of their personal statement. We are especially keen to offer places to students dedicated to completing the course and who are interested in contributing botanical records in the future.

Students will be notified if they have a place by mid January 2025 and asked to pay the course fee. Once paid, you will be allocated a Tutor who will contact you in early February so that you can start the course (or if later, as soon as your enrolment has been completed).

There are fifteen Identiplant Training Grants available. You will only be able to apply for these once you have submitted an Identiplant application. For those eligible, a link to the training grant application will be provided via email after you have applied for the course. Applications for Identiplant Training Grants also close on the 31st December.

Training grant eligibility criteria:

The awards are made to those who are not in employment or whose employers cannot reasonably be expected to pay; please approach your employer before applying.
Typical applicants would include recent graduates looking to start a career in botany or amateur botanists looking to take part in interest-led botanical recording.
You should be engaged in some form of unpaid/voluntary botanical activity
You must demonstrate how you will benefit from this course in terms of career and/or botanical recording development.
You must demonstrate that you plan to develop your botanical ID skills in order to enhance your botanical recording activities.
You must be dedicated to completing the Identiplant course
You will be required to write a 2 page report on your Identiplant course experience upon completion

Hub Delivery
From 2023, Identiplant has also been delivered in partnership with a number of hub organisations: environmental charities and NGOs with strong links to local areas, such as Wildlife Trusts. Hubs work to expand delivery of Identiplant in particular areas of Britain and to create a local community network of botanists with additional opportunities and events for students in those regions. There is no difference to the content or the delivery of the course through hubs; students in regions where hubs operate will be asked if they want to join the hub community so that they can receive separate communications from their hub partner.

Corporate Students

A number of companies and organisations have chosen to offer Identiplant as CPD to their staff. This is delivered by approved in-house tutor(s).

Identiplant and BSBI are keen to hear from additional organisations that are interested in delivering Identiplant as CPD. For more information on rates and the method of delivery, and to arrange an initial conversation, email identiplant@bsbi.org.

If you are employed by a company that offers Identiplant as CPD and provides an in-house Tutor, do not apply directly to the BSBI but approach your own company. They will handle your application for you.

Course Completion

All Units should be marked as Complete by the 30 September deadline in order to receive a Certificate of Completion. A few unavoidable gaps are allowed at the Tutor's discretion.

In order to complete the course, you will need to dedicate at least 2-3 hours per week to the course between February and September. This will depend on your level of botanical knowledge starting the course, with more time needed if you have just started your botanical journey.

You will need to submit assignments for feedback from your Tutor at regular fortnightly intervals through the year in order to complete the course. Failing to do this could result in not receiving a completion certificate.