March 2012: Our news release explains the phased move of this course from Newton Rigg to Ambleside. This contains information for prospective applicants and current students.
Why study with us?
The conservation of forest and woodland resources world-wide is of critical importance as reservoirs of biodiversity, carbon sinks and ecosystem services. Closer to home ancient woodlands are under threat and natural habitats need protection. A balance has to be struck between the needs of people and the needs of nature.
This course is designed to give you a broad understanding of the many issues surrounding the conservation of forests and woodlands at home and overseas. You are also able to gain skills relevant to broader conservation and natural resource management. You have the opportunity to take an optional one-year work placement—we have a strong network of professional contacts to help you find a suitable situation. This programme has a strong vocational focus and is geared towards equipping you with the understanding and skills required of a diverse and dynamic natural resources sector.
Where will this course take place?
If you enrol with us in September 2012, you will have the opportunity to spend time at both our Penrith and Ambleside campuses. Each campus offers individual and distinctive advantages, providing easy access to the English Lake District with its unique geography. These exceptional locations in effect become your classroom.
This course will be moving to Ambleside in September 2014.
What can this course lead to?
This degree prepares you for a career in forest and woodland conservation in the UK and overseas. Graduates work with, for example, the Forestry Commission, the Woodland Trust, National Trust, Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage, enivronmental NGO’s and local authorities. There are a range of possible routes to master’s level study and further applied research.
Course Summary
This course is intended for those wishing to study both the commercial and wildlife conservation interests of relevance in the sector. The course has been designed to allow a broad understanding with a specialist focus developing in the final year and is delivered by the National School of Forestry.
You will study the following core modules:
Ecology
Silviculture
Measuring and Managing Forests
Forest Development
Introduction to Conservation Biology
Designing Sustainable Woodlands
Forest Policy, Land Use and Governance
Research Theory and Practice
Biodiversity Monitoring
Temperate Woodland Dynamics
Dissertation
Conservation Strategies
Optional modules are also offered to enable you to create an individual learning path. You will be taught by a highly experienced core team consisting of 8 permanent academic staff, complemented by visiting specialists.
Case Studies
We asked our first year forestry students ‘why did you choose to study with us?’
The top three reasons were:
The National School of Forestry name and our reputation in the forest sector
The quality of our courses
Our location
We also asked ‘what do you like most about the course?’
The top three ‘likes’ were:
The approachability of our lecturers
The variety of our course, particularly the mix of lectures and practical fieldwork
How interesting the course is.
Resources and facilities
The National School of Forestry at the Newton Rigg campus of the University of Cumbria provides an exceptional range of facilities for both students and researchers. The campus encompasses over a hundred hectares of Cumbrian countryside, and has been recognised as an incredibly diverse and ecologically rich environment.
We are privileged to offer direct access to a wide range of habitats and forest types on-campus, including; mixed broadleaf woodland, coniferous woodland, willow plantations, a young oak orchard, wetland, arable farmland and pastureland, and associated hedgerows, shelterbelts, ways, and brooks.
In addition to this variety, we also have a large (and growing!) arboretum, a tropical plant house, temperate and research glass houses, and gardens, all on site. We also have excellent new laboratory facilities. This outstanding set of resources enables many classes and field visits to be conducted just outside the lecture rooms, providing an enhanced learning environment where learning is combined with cutting-edge research.