BTSA in Plant Industries: Food, Ornament and Environment

Level 5

Duration2 years

Level

Post-A-Levels

Pre-registration

Plants and Horticulture

BTSA in Plant Industries: Food, Ornament and Environment

Level 5

Duration2 years

Level

Post-A-Levels

Inscription

School route

Genech site

Bus line and stop information for the Genech site. More information on the network website:

The training

Level 5 State Diploma, issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty. Registered in the RNCP under number 36773.

Objectives

The BTS Plant Industry provides training in essential skills for the production and management of various crops: market gardening, fruit, vegetables, ornamental plants (cut flowers and foliage, potted or bedding plants, bulbs, trees and shrubs), young plants (ornamental nurseries, fruit and vegetable plants), seeds, as well as perfume, aromatic, medicinal and condiment plants.

Programme

Year 1

Semester 1:

Unit 1.1: Expressing one's opinion in a social debate while explaining the issues
Module 1.2: Designing and organising a specialist crop production system

Semester 2:

Unit 2.1: Managing teams and applying the QSE approach in a specialised plant business
Module 2.2: Managing production system consistency to meet societal challenges
Module 2.3: Managing and coordinating technical itineraries in a specialised cropping system

Year 2

Term 3:

UE 3.1: Entrepreneurship, seizing regional opportunities and communicating in English
UE 3.2: Assessing the performance of the cultivation system and its environment
UE 3.3: Leading a project to implement an action plan for technical change
UE 3.4: Measuring and sharing the sustainability of the production system

Semester 4: Counsellor

UE 4.1: Designing and supporting a strategic project for an agricultural enterprise
UE 4.2: Integration into the workplace and resource management

Local Initiative Modules (EIL) common to all BTSA courses:

A marketing approach to a product or service
How to harness all the resources available to support business start-ups in the Hauts-de-France region
Diversification of the agricultural business
Innovative approaches to infrastructure provision in line with the transitions
Agricultural negotiation technique

The specific EIL for the BTSA MV:

Feasibility study on the processing of one or more horticultural products with a view to their commercialisation in a defined context

Rhythm

School

A work placement lasting 12 to 16 weeks, 10 of which must take place during term time.

Possible locations:

Market gardening, fruit-growing, arboriculture or nursery businesses
Organisations involved in experimentation, plant breeding, selection or advisory services in the field of specialised crop production
Garden centres

APPRENTICESHIP

[in progress]

Teaching resources and methods

Learning by doing

Mastering technical skills: sowing, taking cuttings, pruning, grafting, biological pest control, in vitro cultivation, and the use of hand and power tools
Farming both conventional and organic crops: permaculture, market gardening, tree nurseries, arboriculture, floriculture…
Recognising and learning about plants: culinary, ornamental and environmental uses
Sustainable production: adopting environmentally friendly practices and seeking eco-friendly solutions. Using planning tools to organise crops

A strong link with the world of work

Teamwork
Exploring a variety of businesses: from small-scale operations to high-tech enterprises (France, Belgium, the Netherlands), attending trade fairs (e.g. SIVAL), and study trips (the Netherlands, the Angers region)
Work placements on farms, at experimental centres or at plant breeding centres
An introduction to the use of professional software and digital tools in the sector

Support for entry into the labour market

Dating workshop and mock job interviews
Inter-departmental week: discussions between departments and sharing of experiences
Raising awareness of health and safety at work

Our strengths

Site news

Three complementary campuses (Genech, Lesquin, Bavay), welcoming halls of residence, a vibrant student life and unique learning environments.

Support

Find out all about the support available on our dedicated page:

The international

Find out all about our international activities on our dedicated page:

Educational workshops

Farm, greenhouses, laboratory, technical workshops… discover all our educational workshops, which serve as genuine technical facilities for learning in real-world conditions.

What next?

Further study

Engineering schools specialising in plant science, crop protection, agronomy, business and management
Specialised training programmes: courses related to setting up a farm

Course offered at the Genech Institute

career prospects

Crop production manager in market gardening (organic or conventional), in a nursery, in
floriculture or arboriculture
Advisory technician within production companies, cooperatives or technical institutes
Experimental technician
Technical sales representative in garden centres or the agricultural supplies sector

And also:

Business startup: organic market gardener, horticulturist, plant nursery owner

Information

practices

Fees and bursaries

Prices*

Non-resident student: from €156 per month
Student residing at the Institute: from €342 per month

* Basic rate including family contributions and/or meals and/or accommodation depending on the student's status. Additional fees not included. Payable over 10 months

Find the breakdown of training costs on our dedicated page

Bursaries: visit our dedicated page to find out about available financial assistance.

Read the terms and conditions of sale

Target audience

People wishing to work in plant production, horticulture or advisory services.

Prerequisite

Holding at least a degree in Level 4 (A-level)
Interest in plants, the environment and science
Analytical skills, organisation and teamwork

Access conditions

Applicants apply via the Parcoursup platform
Admission based on academic record (grades + motivation)

Assessment methods

Continuous assessment certification exams

Accessibility for individuals
disabled

Premises: Fire safety regulations for public buildings (ERP) – Premises accessible to people with reduced mobility
Possible academic guidance and adaptation, mentored by a disability officer

Plants and Horticulture

Industry news

22.07.26

Information for the start of the 2026–2027 academic year

With just a few days to go until the end of the holidays, find out all the practical information about opening hours [...]

21.07.26

Apprenticeship levy – Allocation schedule

Opening of the 1st campaign on Tuesday 26 May 2026. The Groupe Institut de Genech, [...]

Educational workshops

Discover our crops and greenhouses

Your future

Start here!