Program Overview

BSc (Hons) - Woodland Ecology and Conservation (With Sandwich Placement)

Climate change and biodiversity loss are the twin challenges of our time. Study a woodland ecology and conservation degree to become part of the solution by gaining expertise in forest management, biodiversity and woodland conservation.

Course Overview

The Woodland Ecology and Conservation programme has been designed to prepare you to be a new kind of graduate, one that the world desperately needs to meet the challenges of the 21st century. This degree will provide you with the ecological knowledge that underpins modern sustainable forest management. Graduates are able to manage trees, woods and forests to protect biodiversity and optimise the delivery of benefits to human society directly through timber production and space for recreation, but also to apply knowledge of essential ecosystem services; carbon, nutrient and water cycling, flood and erosion control amongst others. Graduates in Woodland Ecology and Conservation are equipped to contribute solutions to the twin environmental challenges of our times: climate change and biodiversity loss.

Key Details

• Recruiting to: UK / RoI / Settled in UK, EU / EEA / International
• Course Location: Ambleside
• Institute: Institute of Science and Environment
• UCAS Code: D502
• Delivery Style: Blended Learning
• Course Duration: Full-time: 4 Years
• Study Options: Integrated Foundation Year, Non-Sandwich Placement
• Course Start Point: September
• Award: BSc (Hons)

Entry Requirements

• 104-120 UCAS Tariff Points
• GCSE Mathematics at grade 4/C or above
• Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and Adult Numeracy are also accepted

Tuition Fees

• £9,535 - UK (2025-2026)
• £14,900 - International (2025-2026)
• Placement Year fee: Home £1,905, Overseas £2,980 (2025-2026)

Course Structure

What you will learn

• Develop your knowledge and skills around forest management
• Learn to apply principles and processes to the sustainable management of woodland multiple goods and ecosystem services
• Critically assess contemporary issues in woodland conservation such as rewilding and species reintroductions
• Explore the commercial, social and environmental contexts in which forestry is practised

Year one

• Introduction to Managing Trees, Woods and Forests
• Measuring Trees and Forests
• Silviculture
• Woodland Ecology
• Forestry Fundamentals
• Biodiversity 1
• Biodiversity 2

Year two

• Biodiversity Monitoring
• Geographic Information Systems
• Research Methods and Data Analysis
• Forest Policy and Governance
• Forest Health and Protection
• Forests & People (Optional)
• Valuing the Environment (Optional)
• Environmental Change: Past Present Future (Optional)

Year three

• Work Placement

Year four

• Forest Plan
• Dissertation
• Woodland Conservation
• Applied Field Studies (Optional)
• Advanced Silviculture (Optional)
• Business Skills (Optional)
• Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing (Optional)
• Climate Smart Forestry (Optional)
• Wildlife Management (Optional)

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

• Delivered by research active academics
• Includes lectures, laboratory practicals, computer sessions and fieldwork
• Opportunities for group-working and developing critical skills

How you will be assessed

• Individual and group assessments
• Fieldwork and laboratory reports
• Essays or reports
• Critical analysis of case studies
• Role-play to simulate real-world situations

Additional Costs

• Books and journals: £50 - £100 per year
• Stationery and consumables: £30 - £40 per year
• Field trips and membership fees: variable costs

Location

• Ambleside Campus, nestled in the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site

Student Life

• Opportunities for outdoor activities and exploration
• Support for student well-being and academic success
• Access to campus facilities and resources

Funding

• Information on tuition fees, scholarships, and bursaries
• Support for students with financial needs or disabilities

Admissions

• Information on the admissions process and requirements
• Support for applicants with disabilities or special needs

Contact

• Information on how to contact the university for further information or support