APPLICATION FORM

Applications

• Course places are filled on a first come, first served basis.
• The application deadline is the 15th July 2025.
• There are 30 places available.
• Part-concession and full-concession places are limited (see below for details).

The application process:

• Complete the application form
• Receive a provisional place offer
• Attend a 1:1 interview
• Receive a full place offer
• Pay deposit
• Receive welcome pack (from the end of May)

Course Dates 

The course dates match Bristol school term times.

• Term 1: September 2–October 23, 2025
• Term 2: November 4–December 18, 2025
• Term 3: January 6–February 12, 2026
• Term 4: February 24–April 2, 2026
• Term 5: April 21–May 21, 2026
• Term 6: June 2–July 23, 2026 (please note this is 1 days later than schools close for Summer)

Study Hours / Classroom Timings

• Tues, Wed, Thurs. 
• Approx study hours 9.30am to 3.30pm. 
• Timings do not include travel/commuting time to field trips or site visits. 
• Some course days are longer, depending on the activity - students are informed in advance. Such as roundhouse build days during July, which finish at 5.30pm.
• Most terms include an overnight field trip (1-2 nights).
• It is a requirement that students commit to regular and ongoing attendance throughout the year.

Costs

Course Fees - these cover all tuition, materials and field trip accommodation.

• Full fee : £3,795
• Part concession : £3,170
• Full concession : £2,540

Visit here, for details on who can apply for a concessionary place.

You apply for a concessionary place when filling out your application form.

Deposit

When you have been offered a place on the course you will be required to pay a non-refundable £650 deposit to confirm your place.

We recommend you send in your application form, even if you aren’t ready to pay your deposit, as it starts the process rolling. We will then keep you informed as to how the course is filling up so that you can confirm your place before all places are filled.

Remaining Course Fees

Two payment options:

• Pay in full by September 1st 2025, via BACS transfer.
• Pay remainder in installments, via a GoCardless direct debit.
• Details of paying in installment can be found here.

Additional costs throughout the course:

Additional Kit costs:

• Suitable clothing and footwear for participating in outdoor activities in all weathers.
• Steel-toe capped boots for participating in activities involving tools and weight.
• Field Trips: Lunchbox, flask/water container.
• Overnight stay: Sleeping bag / pillow etc
• Classroom: Notebook.
  

Other optional costs:

All other kit for participating in course activities is provided for, but you may also wish to purchase your own.

• Organic Horticulture: pen knife, secateurs, work gloves, loppers, pruning saw.
• Classroom: Pencil case & stationery. 
• Permaculture Design: compass (both kinds), long tape measure
• Comfort Kit: Hot water bottle, slippers (no shoes in the classroom teaching space)
• We ask for a £20 refundable deposit for using the course library

Assistance: 

The design of the course (the study hours) allows students to claim Universal Credit whilst studying, and apply for a Council Tax reduction. We have a letter ‘Statement of Education’ for students to prove they are studying with us. 

Accessibility

The PSC is a dynamic, ambitious and intensive course; some of the aspects are physically, mentally and emotionally challenging. Please let us know on your application about anything that may affect your ability to participate and we can discuss the flexibility and support we can offer. See Terms and Conditions for more information about the course experience for students. A course place will be offered if we can reasonably provide for a student’s needs whilst making sure they are safe and gaining a valuable experience for their investment. 

Diversity

We’re passionate about creating an inclusive course experience that values diversity. Groups that are wide ranging in backgrounds and identity form a rich environment for sharing perspectives and promoting internal growth. We are actively working on seeking tutors and practitioners outside of our known networks; who may have new ideas, insights, and representation to offer. 

Training / Courses that the Facilitation team have completed:

• 2-day Outdoor First Aid - Laura Corfield, Kizzie Fitzwilliams
• Mental Health First Aid - Laura Corfield, Kizzie Fitzwilliams, Danny Balla
• Understanding Autism : Starter Course with Somerset Skills & Learning - Laura Corfield

Logistics and Communications

• Facilitators communicate and share information with students verbally, via email (google group), and through the Telegram app.
• We also set up a Telegram channel for students to chat to each other.
• We use Google docs to help organise things like shared transport and design projects, as well as storing photos and handouts/resources.
• We takes for taking payments for shared transport and food costs field using the Collectiv app. 
• We store information and files for the year on a Trelloboard.

Please let us know on your application whether lack of access to technology will be a limiting factor for you, so we can discuss alternatives. 

Course Structure, Content and Delivery 

The PSC was born in 2010, out of the evolution and expansion of a Full Permaculture Design Course. It is made up of ten course modules that weave together into a circular curriculum of “Practical Sustainability”. Read more about our Roots.

The PSC aims to deliver a holistic and wide-ranging educational experience that teaches effective sustainability practices for meeting needs (food, shelter, energy, comfort, health, connection etc), based in the context of real life parameters; that are also regenerative and joyful. Born out of our desire for permaculture principles and design to be used to solve systemic problems, our curriculum is tailored not only to those wanting to gain skills and understanding for themselves as individuals but also for those who also want to help others on a community level. 

This ambitious course is huge in its range of subjects and experiences, and is ideal for those who are curious and searching for opportunities to try out lots of different skills and roles in the world of Practical Sustainability, and who want to learn about permaculture design can be applied in the wider context of the challenging times we find ourselves living in. Whether you’ve been disillusioned by mainstream education, you are thinking of a career change into something offering more connection with land or people, or you’re now retired and ready to pass on your experience in a meaningful way, this course provides a fun, engaging playground of discovery and exploration. 

Read more about the course structure, content and delivery. 

The PSC is delivered by an ever-evolving cracking team of over 40 tutors and practitioners, who bring with them their passion, expertise and pioneering spirit. All tutors are active in their field, so their knowledge and experience is fresh and relevant to our changing world. We only work with tutors who share our permaculture ethics of earth share, people share and fair share. 

All of our teaching is delivered in real time and majoritively in-person (if a tutor is unable to pop into the classroom they deliver their sessions via Zoom; we gather and tune-in collectively). This equates to 650+ hours of in-person teaching time. We visit many tutors and practitioners in their natural environment and this helps to bring their lessons to life in a real world context. Read their Tutor Biographies here.

Design Projects & Additional Study

We do not set additional mandatory assignments outside of course hours. The only exception to this is within the Permaculture Design module, where we set four design projects which are worked on in small groups. There is allotted time planned within the timetabled hours for these but students often opt to work additionally outside of these hours. 

Throughout the course we encourage students to spend time embedding their learning in whichever ways suit their preferred methods of learning. From building regenerative toolkit practices into their home routines, reading books from the course library, reflective writing, or volunteering within relevant community projects.

Clans

In order to aid the smooth running of the course we arrange the larger course group into smaller Clan groups. Each clan takes on a responsibility, such as keeping the space neat and tidy, purchasing beverage supplies, planning a meal and cooking on a field trip, organising shared transport etc. These roles are passed on to a new clan each term. 

Clan groups self organise, with the support of the facilitation team if needed. This requires communication, organisation, and doing some jobs outside of course hours when necessary.

Teaching Venues & Field Trips

As a nomadic organisation our teaching takes place across a variety of locations (we purposely don’t own a ‘Hogwarts’ premises to keep us rooted and connected within the Bristol community and wider network, and keep the cost of the course affordable). 

Our main indoor classroom is based in St Werburghs, at the beautiful Gasworks studio. It is easily accessible by bike, walking and bus and train routes. There is on street parking outside and secure bike racks in the garden. 

Throughout the course we use a variety of other Bristol venues/locations, and each term we go on an overnight field trip for 1-2 nights. We ensure that shared transport is arranged, so that everyone has assistance in getting around. Past field trips have included Tinkers Bubble, Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Brithdir Mawr Community, Five Penny Farm, Ourganics, Ragmans Lane Farm, Bioaqua Farm, East Devon Forest Garden.

Visiting these inspirational projects and people bring the taught material alive in a way that can’t happen in the classroom. They also give us the opportunity to experience the power of what 30 pairs of eager hands can achieve in a short amount of time - in the past we’ve planted entire orchards, dug swales and ponds, and erected giant polytunnels. We often get the added bonus of reacquainting with previous students who are now active in the network, leading their own ventures. 

The field trip accommodation varies; from staying in a cosy but cramped farmhouse, to living it up in a Grade II listed 19th Century Neo-Gothic rectory, to camping in a forest garden with a natural swimming pool. Each requiring a different type of sleeping arrangement. We can’t guarantee that there will be separate areas for different gender identities, or that we can group all the snorers together. Some of the sleeping accommodation requires some students to sleep crashpad stylee. It’s an experiment in balancing the needs within the group and finding compromises and pooling our resources to help everyone feel as comfortable as possible.

Library

We have a library of over 350 books available to borrow whilst studying with us, on all aspects of Practical Sustainability. We edit and expand on the library each year, ensuring it is built on student recommendations and kept current and representative. 

Accreditation & What Next?

The course is deliberately not accredited. We choose to teach for the love of learning; enabling students to engage with the curriculum from all angles and develop diverse skills within a collaborative culture. Past students have appreciated the non-pressured learning environment and the opportunities to discover and explore their own unique passions and pathways - free from examination and testing. We value the strengths and individuality of each student to manifest positive change in the world in their own style. We champion our dedication to creating a course container that empowers students to bring their authentic selves into the room. 

We provide a high quality education and we support our tutors and practitioners to bring their extensive practical experience into the classroom in dynamic and accessible ways. We have a great reputation, and students make lasting connections within our growing networks. 

After the PSC our students have been successful in finding employment (e.g. The Soil Association or Ecological Land Co-operative), taking further education and apprenticeships (e.g. Middle Ground Growers or Land Workers Alliance), starting ventures and enterprises (e.g. Secret Soup Society or Sheltercraft), bought their own land and small holdings, written books, become journalists (Ursuala Billington, Bristol 24/7’s new Climate & Sustainability Editor) and many more rewarding avenues. We are confident that the knowledge and skills gained on this course are of value to anyone wanting to work with sustainability either professionally or in their home or community.

The only entry requirements are to apply with an open mind and curiosity for the range of subjects we cover, and lots of enthusiasm and the ability to commit to a year's study with us. You do not need previous experience or credentials in any of the subjects we teach as we always start from the basics. 

Permaculture Design Course Certification

Full attendance and participation in the course earns a Permaculture Design Certificate certified by the Permaculture Association UK. Work completed on the course can contribute to the Permaculture Association's 'Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design' portfolio.

Studying in Bristol 

Many students move to Bristol in order to study on the Practical Sustainability Course - despite Bristol being a tricky city to find places to rent. To help students find housemates we have a Telegram group for students to join, so that you can look for house shares together, and so we can signpost opportunities/links for you to explore. We also have a couple of temporary hosts, so if you need a couple of weeks or crash pad space to stay during transitional periods, we can put you in touch. 

Some students commute in order to study on the PSC but not need to move to Bristol. This works best when they can find accommodation from Mon eve to Thurs, so the commuting doesn’t take as much of a toll, and there is the opportunity for socialising outside of the course with the other students. 

We have put together a Welcome to Brizzle document, for anyone new and wanting to explore what the city has to offer. This includes great projects to visit and volunteer at.

Who isn't the PSC for?

Just like any offering, the PSC is not going to suit everyone. Here are some of the reasons why the PSC might not be a good fit for you…

• You prefer to work independently and don’t enjoy prolonged periods of collaborating with others. We’re a big group and that involves everyone having a willingness and capacity to practice compassion and compromise in meeting each other's needs. 

• You already have a vision and are looking to deepen your understanding or skill development in a focused way, e.g. you know you want to be a grower and would really like to hone your horticulture skills. What you may prefer instead is an apprenticeship. 

• Equally you are looking for a teaching environment that involves a small tutor to student ratio for learning. What you may prefer instead is a mentorship. 

• You believe the solution to the challenges humanity faces will mainly be solved by technological advancements or the government. Not to say that you aren’t correct, but you may find a lot of what we cover on the course feels irrelevant for you.

• You prefer learning in a linear fashion, where knowledge is imparted by tutors and absorbed by the student (more mainstream models of education). The PSC requires uses a variety of teaching pedagogy, which asks students to contribute as part of the learning, in active and creative ways.   



• You may struggle to house and support yourself financially during the course. Students who stretch themselves too thinly often end up needing to take time away from the course, and their wellbeing suffers as a result. If you feel this might apply to you, then we advise you considering starting the course a year later, when you are in a more resourced situation.