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FDSc - Forestry

Looking for a career where you can be immersed in nature and protect the world around you? Our FdSc Forestry degree provides a path into the forestry profession combined with an optional work experience element, so you gain all the practical know-how to be employed in a truly worthwhile and rewarding sector.

From our campus in Ambleside (Lake District), you’ll have the opportunity to study in woodlands managed for conservation, timber production and social benefits - all within easy access.

Delve into the enchanting world of forestry and discover the untapped wonders of nature.

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Accredited by:

Institute of Chartered Foresters

Course Overview

Study a professional forestry course at our National School of Forestry in the iconic Lake District National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site just minutes from our Ambleside campus. Gain the skills to start a career in a sector crucial for biodiversity, society and the economy, with a pathway into the National School of Forestry.

On this course you will...

Develop hands-on skills with 150 hours of work experience.
Get accredited by the Institute of Chartered Foresters.
Use the latest forest management technology, such as remote sensing and drones during your studies, to enhance your employability.
Benefits from our more than 50 years' experience educating and training professional and award-winning foresters.
Boost your employability through our excellent links with the Royal Forestry Society, Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) and many other forestry organisations.

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Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
EU / EEA / International
Course LocationAmbleside
Institute: Institute of Science and Environment
UCAS CodeD503
Delivery StyleIn-Person
Course DurationFull-time: 2 Years
Start DateSeptember 2023 (Closed for international students)
September 2024
AwardFDSc
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysAmbleside
All

Minimum entry requirements

48-64

UCAS Tariff points

Tuition fees

£9,250

UK | year

£13,575

International | year

Course Structure

What you will learn

This course is ideally located to explore and practice the management of forests, with the National School of Forestry based on our inspirational Ambleside campus in the heart of the Lake District. You’ll receive a thorough introduction to the forestry profession combined with a work-experience option to back up your theoretical knowledge. Our four week work experience offers you a fantastic chance to gain more hands-on forestry work in a real-life context, whilst on campus you’ll have access on your doorstep to study in woodlands managed for timber, conservation and social benefits.

The skills you develop will see you go on to a rewarding career in forestry both in the UK and potentially internationally. You’ll have the qualifications necessary to progress to the top-up BSc (Hons) Forestry degree should you wish to take your studies further. You will study the sustainable management of forests and woodlands for commercial, social benefits and conservation management.

Year one

You will develop a good grounding in the underlying principles and practice of forest and woodland management. Modules you will study include Measuring Trees and Forests, Silviculture, Wood Utilisation and Processing and Woodland Ecology.

Introduction to Managing Trees, Woods and Forests
Provides students with a basic understanding of the history of forestry in the UK and worldwide, the underlying principles of soil and plant science and an overview of current practice of sustainable forest management to protect biodiversity, produce timber and other benefits to human society.
Measuring Trees and Forests
To learn to apply the standard methods of tree and woodland measurement used in British forestry.
Silviculture
Aims to give a grounding in silvicultural practice, to include a thorough and applied understanding of plantation, conservation and amenity woodland establishment and maintenance.
Woodland Ecology
Gives a broad introduction to ecology and ecological processes. Ecology, the study of interactions between organisms and with their environments, provides a theoretical and practical framework for managing and working with natural and semi-natural ecosystems, but also in managed landscapes.
Wood Utilisation & Processing
You will get an understanding of the utilisation of wood as a raw material. During this module students will cover the biology of wood and how the properties of wood relate to their potential utilisation.
Forestry Fundamentals
The aim of this module is to enable students to learn the key writing and presentation skills necessary to succeed in their studies and their future career.
Practical Forest Skills
The aim of this module is to introduce you to a range of traditional and modern practical forestry skills. The safe and effective use of tools is central to the module with an emphasis on the planning and organisation of working sites.

Year two

In Year Two, you will build on this foundation developing your skills further, for example you will create a forest design plan and you'll be taught important new subjects, such as Forest Health and Protection, GIS and People and Forests. Between years 1 and 2 you will have the option to obtain 4 weeks of work experience.

Work Experience
Enables you to gain knowledge and understanding of working in a relevant sector. You will be able to consolidate and further develop your professional, technical and personal skills in a work place and demonstrate independent learning and initiative outside a formal teaching environment.
Geographic Information Systems
The aim of this module is to provide students with a sound understanding of the theory and application of GIS in a manner relevant to their field of study and potential future employment.
Managing Forest Operations
From harvesting to establishment and tree safety, the module will take students through the principles of good planning, the financial, legal and regulatory frameworks within which they will have to operate and the tools and skills required to implement and manage forest operations.
Forest Policy and Governance
Throughout the module, students will develop the knowledge and skills required to manage modern, sustainable, multipurpose forestry within the constraints of national and international legislative and policy frameworks.
Forest Health and Protection
The aim of this module is to enable students to identify, understand and manage the main biotic (pests and pathogens) and abiotic (nutrient and climate) factors that adversely affect trees and forests.
People and Forests
Forests and woodlands in both the rural and urban environments have always played a wide and varied role for communities throughout our history, both as a physical resource to be exploited and also providing spaces for our mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Forest Design and Planning
The aim of this module is to enable you to create an extended plan for a given woodland, balancing the needs of a range of objectives and considering the principles of sustainable forest management.

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

A range of learning and teaching approaches are used in your course to match the way that you learn. Delivery of your course is through practical sessions in the forest and in the classroom, through lectures and seminars and through field visits. The location of the campus at Ambleside allows us to access a large area of woodland, managed for many different objectives. While most assessment is individual, there are opportunities for group-working, particularly in outdoor practical sessions where data is collected. This will help you develop collaborative and organisational skills ready for the workplace. You are encouraged to reflect on your skills development and relate it to those required in the workplace. Most foresters work in small teams and so developing social, collaborative and organisational skills is important.

How you will be assessed

Our assessment strategy means that your tutors will

Provide innovative, challenging and stimulating assessment which will enable you to develop the knowledge and professional skills required for employment.
Be student-centred, flexible and modern in both content and approach.
Be fully supported by and integrated with technological approaches such as the Blackboard virtual learning environment (VLE).
Impart academic rigour to the teaching and learning processes.
Support the development of independence, autonomy and self-reflection.
Support learners’ needs at different stages of development.

As a consequence, we employ a wide range of different assessment methods appropriate to the needs of the module and its content. The range of assessment we employ includes:

Fieldwork reports
Computer-based assessments
Problem-solving exercises (both of a practical and written format)
Devising plans, based on the collection and analysis of information
Oral, audio-visual and poster presentations
Group work
Unseen examinations
Open book examinations

Personal development and reflective practice will take place throughout the programme and will be implemented through a wide range of activities as well as via our structured personal tutorial process (see below).

Overview

48-64 UCAS Tariff Points, You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table.

GCSE Mathematics at grade 4/C or above.  Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and Numeracy are also accepted.  A full list of acceptable level 2 qualifications can be found here.

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

GCSEs: Maths at C/4 or above

A-levels: A - CC

T-levels: P (D or E) All subjects are accepted for entry to this course

Access to HE: 15 Credits at Merit and 30 at Pass

CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: D

OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: MPP

Scottish Highers: DDDD

Irish LC Highers: C2x2, D1x2

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to Forestry In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any experience you have gained.  

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here), applicants that are estranged from their parents, are care leavers or have caring responsibilities or are in receipt of or received free school meals during their secondary education. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply)

Contact ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information.

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

2023 - 2024

£9,250 - UK
£13,575 - International

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.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

Funding

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.

More Information

Student Finance

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some text books. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Books are reviewed annually and are therefore subject to change, course welcome information will provide you with an indicative list for the year.

Books and Journals

Most core text books are available via the University's library, however students may wish to buy copies of any texts used to support your learning on your course. This could cost between £50 - £100 per year.

Stationery

Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

Clothing and Equipment

You’ll be spending a lot of time out in the field, so it’s important to consider weatherproof items such as coats and trousers and sturdy walking boots. You’ll need a rucksack, ideally with a waterproof cover and plenty of warm, outdoor clothing. You might want to bring a thermal flask and a lunchbox for when you are out in the field.

Field Trips

Day field trips all costs are covered other than a packed lunch which it is expected you will provide. Currently, the costs of accommodation and transport on the week-long residential study tours in the first and second years are covered by the University. It is expected that you will pay for your food (between £10 to £25 per day) during the study tour. There are possibilities to spend a semester in the second year at Humboldt University in California where living costs are generally more expensive than living in Ambleside. There may be funds available from the Student Loans Company to cover this.

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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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FDSc - Forestry