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Short course - Trees on Farms & Fells

Trees on Farms & Fells, developed in partnership with the Forestry Commission, will develop your knowledge of the opportunities for integrating trees into agriculture on upland farms in England. Through site visits, workshops and online sessions, you will gain awareness of benefits, constraints, tree management, advice and funding options. You will gain the skills to produce a basic tree action plan for an upland farm.

The course has an applied focus and is designed for upland farmers, land managers and advisors. It can be studied separately or as part of our set of Upland Environmental Land Management short courses. Small group taught sessions will take place online, at our Ambleside campus and at upland locations in Cumbria.

The course will next run in Cumbria at our Ambleside campus w/c 12th October 2026: to apply for this course, please complete this application form.

To receive an email alert when we next offer this course, please register your email address here

Sponsor Enquiries

Working With:

The Ernest Cook Trust

H & H Group plc

National Trust

Course Overview

This module introduces the benefits, trade-offs, options, constraints and processes involved in planned tree growth on England’s upland farms and fells. You will gain an overview of the types of tree planting and care which is possible, practical and justified in the uplands, in terms of environment, heritage and the farm business. You will consider principles and processes to make informed decisions and gain familiarity with key sources of information and advice to use in future. Guided visits to two upland farms and an upland common will demonstrate the principles and processes and provide opportunities for discussion. You will apply your skills to prepare a basic tree action plan for an upland farmed landscape of your choice.

The course includes site visits, workshops and seminars at our Ambleside campus, plus online evening lectures. This part-time course will often be possible to complete whilst working.

On this course you will...

Understand the range of benefits of trees on farms and fells in the English uplands.
Identify suitable funding options and key organisations to contact for advice and permissions, including for common land.
Gain an overview of relevant management strategies including planting schemes.
Understand constraints and trade-offs when changing the upland treescape, including practical, financial, environmental trade-offs and regulatory constraints.
Identifying opportunities for trees in the local upland farmed landscape.
Evaluate practical options ‘on the ground’ and create a justified action plan for trees on an upland farm.

Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
Course LocationAmbleside
Location is dependent on start date; please enquire for further details
Institute Institute of Science and Environment
Mode of DeliveryBlended (includes in-person and online sessions)
Course Duration Part-time: 6 weeks, Short Course
Course Start PointOctober
AwardShort course
Open DaysAmbleside
All

Minimum entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements but English and Mathematics at Level 2 (e.g. GCSE Grade C/4), and educational qualifications at Level 3 (e.g. A Level, NVQ level 3) or equivalent would be advantageous.

UK Tuition fees

£550

Entry in 2025/26

£600

Entry in 2026/27

Tuition Fees Policy

Course Structure

What you will learn

You’ll first consider what we mean by trees on farms and fells: agroforestry, wood pasture, planting and regeneration, hedgerows, farming your trees and regenerative farming. We will explore the context in England: the ways things are changing in farm business, land use policy and agri-environment schemes.
You’ll learn about the broad range of benefits of trees on farms and fells. Via case studies, you’ll consider treescapes and planting schemes of different types and at various stages, how they have been planned and managed, and why they are assets. You'll explore the options for grant funding for trees on farms and fells, gain some awareness of the application processes and the implications of the various grant schemes. You will learn about constraints on planting trees: regulatory impacts and regulators, environmental constraints and cultural constraints. You’ll learn about identifying objectives of a scheme, what’s suitable where, the design of a planting scheme across a landscape, timescales, and environmental impact assessments. You’ll consider wood pasture, especially the opportunities for product quality and product story, profitability and improving soil quality. You’ll be equipped to prepare a basic tree action plan, applying your learning to a specific upland area in practice.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

UK Tuition fees

£550
Entry in 2025/26

£600
Entry in 2026/27

International Tuition fees

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000..

Student Finance

Additional Costs

Stationery, printing and digital storage

Approximately £30 to £40 per year

RequiredPer yearStationery

You should budget for stationery and consumables for personal use. These may include notebooks, pens and pencils, digital storage devices, printing and photocopying. The amount you spend will depend on your study preferences.

Books and journals

Approximately £50 to £300 over the course of your studies

OptionalThroughout the courseBooks and journals

Most core textbooks and journals are available through the University library. You may choose to purchase personal copies of books or other resources used to support your studies.

Some courses recommend particular books or provide an estimated annual budget for purchasing personal copies. Search for your course below for details.

Technology requirements

Cost depends on the equipment and internet service you choose

RequiredThroughout the courseDigital learning and IT

You will need regular access to a laptop or computer capable of accessing the internet and running software such as a word processor and Microsoft Teams. Microsoft 365 is provided as part of your studies. You will also need a reliable internet connection. The amount you spend will depend on the equipment and internet service you choose.

Information on borrowing university laptops

Clothing and footwear for upland walking

Cost depends on what you already own

RequiredOne-offClothing and uniform

You'll need clothing and footwear suitable for walking in an upland environment in Cumbria, whatever the weather.

Equipment for online sessions

Cost depends on the equipment you already have

RequiredThroughout the courseDigital learning and IT

Parts of this course are taught online, so as well as a laptop or computer you will need a webcam, microphone and speakers or headset, and an internet connection good enough for live video calls.

Travel to campus and site visits

Cost varies depending on where you travel from

RequiredThroughout the courseTravel and accommodation

You will need to arrange and pay for your own travel to the Ambleside campus, in-person sessions and field or site visits.

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Location
Ambleside Campus
Nestled in the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Ambleside campus is the perfect place for world-savers, animal lovers, and adventurers. There is never a dull moment when surrounded by such natural beauty and opportunity.
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Short course - Trees on Farms & Fells