Learn
Work through sequenced lessons that explain the ethics, principles, ecology, and design methods of permaculture.
Online Permaculture Design Certificate
Learn deeply.
Study flexibly.
A complete 72-hour PDC delivered through structured online learning, practical observation, section assessments, tutor feedback, and a final design presentation.
72guided hours
16–24recommended weeks
11integrated modules
Availability
Enquiries are open for the next Online PDC intake.
The next supported start period will be confirmed directly with prospective students. No payment is requested until the timetable, support period, fee, instalment options, and booking terms have been provided in writing.
Ask about the next intakeHow online learning works
Structure when you need it. Flexibility where it matters.
The Online PDC is self-paced within a recommended 16–24-week pathway. Each section connects teaching, observation, application, reflection, and assessment so progress means more than viewing content.
Observe
Use your home, neighbourhood, land, project, or another familiar place as a practical context for careful observation.
Apply
Complete activities, maps, reflections, scenarios, and design tasks that turn concepts into visible reasoning.
Receive feedback
Submit key work for tutor review, respond to guidance, and strengthen your work through revision where needed.
Your learning rhythm
A recommended pathway, not a rigid timetable.
Orientation and foundations
Understand the platform, learning approach, ethics, principles, and expectations before moving into applied design.
Ecology and design capability
Progress through soils, water, vegetation, climate, built systems, animals, social systems, and urban contexts.
Activities and assessments
Knowledge checks and applied work provide evidence of understanding throughout the course.
Final design presentation
Bring the curriculum together in a coherent design that you can explain, support with evidence, and present.
Workload and pace
Plan a realistic weekly rhythm.
The course contains 72 required learning hours. The figures below are planning guides rather than weekly deadlines; observation, applied work, and design weeks may need more time than reading weeks.
A purposeful pace for students able to protect regular study time.
A balanced route around work, family, and practical commitments.
A gentler rhythm that still maintains continuity and cohort support.
The 72 hours include required lessons, checks, observation, practical activities, reflection, milestone assessments, and final design work. Optional reading and extended implementation are additional.
Support and assessment
Guidance that helps you improve.
Assessment is continuous and developmental. Section knowledge checks use material taught within that section, while applied activities and tutor-reviewed work develop your ability to observe, reason, and design.
- Section knowledge checks with feedback and retries
- Saved learning responses and progress records
- Applied activities grounded in a familiar context
- Tutor review of key assignments
- Final design presentation and completion review
Human support
Clear channels and published response targets.
Learning and assessment conversations remain in the secure platform so students and teachers share one reliable record. Email alerts tell you when an update is waiting without placing sensitive feedback in an ordinary email.
Submission confirmation
The platform records the submitted version and confirms receipt automatically.
Operational questions
Account, access, scheduling, and administrative enquiries are normally answered within two working days.
Academic questions
Teachers normally reply within three working days or at the next scheduled learning clinic.
Milestone reviews
Submitted milestone work is normally reviewed within five working days.
Final design
The final portfolio and presentation are normally assessed within ten working days.
These are service targets rather than guarantees during closures or exceptional circumstances. We will notify students when an unavoidable delay is expected.
Assessment and certification
Completion is based on evidence, not one percentage.
Knowledge checks support learning, while milestone assignments and the final design demonstrate developing competence. Work that does not yet meet the standard can be revised and resubmitted with its earlier versions preserved.
Required learning
Complete all required lessons, applied activities, and reflective work.
Section checkpoints
Pass every required knowledge check at 60% or above, with retries available.
Milestone standards
Meet the published rubric standard at each required teacher-reviewed milestone.
Final design
Submit the design portfolio, complete the presentation, and respond to required revisions.
Final decision
Accept the academic integrity declaration and receive a recorded teacher decision.
Course fees
Choose the fee that reflects your circumstances.
Every fee level provides the same curriculum, tutor support, assessment standard, and opportunity to earn the Mă-Kè Permaculture Design Certificate. Supporter fees help us make solidarity and sponsored places possible.
Solidarity
€295
For learners whose financial circumstances would otherwise make participation difficult.
Standard
€495
The normal individual fee, supporting delivery, assessment, and continued course development.
Supporter
€695
For learners able to contribute more and help widen access to regenerative education.
What is included
- The complete 72-hour, eleven-module Online PDC
- Recommended 16–24-week learning pathway
- Section knowledge checks with feedback and retries
- Applied activities, reflection, and saved progress records
- Three scheduled tutor review points
- Facilitated orientation and monthly online learning circles
- Final design review, presentation, and digital certificate
The complete curriculum
Eleven modules. One connected design education.
The Online and In-Person routes share the same curriculum foundations and completion expectations. Delivery changes; the integrity of the PDC does not.
Foundations, observation, and design
Soils, water, trees, climate, and bioregions
Built, animal, social, and urban systems
Integrated design and presentation
Online PDC questions
Before you begin.
Do I have to be online at fixed times?
The core learning is designed to be completed flexibly. Any optional live sessions, tutor conversations, or presentation arrangements will be communicated separately.
Do I need to own land?
No. You need access to a familiar place, activity, or system that you can observe and use for applied learning. This may be a garden, balcony, household, community project, workplace, or local landscape.
How long should the course take?
We recommend a 16–24-week pathway. You decide when to study within that pathway and can adapt your rhythm around other commitments.
How is my progress recorded?
The learning platform records required lessons, responses, knowledge checks, assessments, tutor feedback, and completion evidence rather than relying on one simple percentage.
Do different fee levels receive different courses?
No. Solidarity, Standard, and Supporter learners receive the same curriculum, tutor support, assessment standard, and certificate eligibility.
What technology do I need?
You need a reliable internet connection and a computer or tablet suitable for reading, writing responses, viewing learning resources, and preparing design work.
What happens if I need more time?
Tell us as early as possible. The recommended pathway is flexible, and a revised learning plan, pause, or deferral may be agreed where circumstances make the original rhythm unrealistic. The applicable support period and any deferral terms will be confirmed before booking.
Before you enrol
Read the practical and legal information.
Our privacy notice, cookie information, provisional booking principles, and cancellation information explain how enquiries and accounts are handled. Final course-specific terms are supplied before payment.
Privacy, cookies, and booking informationBegin from where you are
Make the Online PDC part of your life.
Tell us when you hope to begin and a little about your experience. We will respond with availability, fee options, instalments, and enrolment information.