Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) - Forestry (Top-up)

Course Overview

Study professional forestry 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 our 150 hours of work experience.
• Get accredited by the Institute of Chartered Foresters.
• Use the latest forestry 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.

Key Details

• Recruiting to: UK / RoI / Settled in UK, EU / EEA / International
• Course Location: Ambleside
• Institute: Institute of Science and Environment
• UCAS Code: D501
• Delivery Style: In-Person
• Course Duration: Full-time: 1 Year
• Course Start Point: September
• Award: BSc (Hons)

Minimum entry requirements

• Foundation degree or HND
• Honours degree

Tuition fees

• £9,535 - UK | year
• £14,900 - International | year

Course Structure

What you will learn

The only course of this type in the UK, this course allows you to further your forestry skills and develop professionally. Our course is perfect for you if you already have an HND or Foundation Degree in forestry or arboriculture and want to upgrade your skills and knowledge to obtain a BSc Honours Degree. There is also the opportunity to gain professional accreditation through the Institute of Chartered Foresters, the forestry sector professional body.

Modules

Our unique modules allow you to benefit from the practical forestry management experience of our tutors and their high-quality applied research that informs our teaching, your learning and aims to bring about positive change in the natural world.

Year one

• Dissertation
• Forest Management Planning
• Business Skills
• Woodland Conservation (Optional)
• Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing (Optional)
• Advanced Silviculture (Optional)

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.

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

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.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this course. 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.

Language requirements

Please follow the link to check language requirements for this programme.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

2025 - 2026

• £9,535 - UK
• £14,900 - 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. You find information on our funding on our Student Finance Pages.

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 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.