Forestry and Treescapes Management BSc (Hons)

What is special about this course?

If you're looking for a rewarding career, where you can provide professional advice to the land-based forestry sector and help secure our forests for future generations to enjoy, then this course is for you. Being involved in the forestry sector is one of the best ways of helping the fight against climate change, while working in environments that provide recreational and well-being spaces for all. Our BSc (Hons) Forestry and Treescapes Management is a highly practical course that will give you all the skills and knowledge you need to become a successful forest manager, environmental manager or arboriculturist/urban forester. 

Study at the Scottish School of Forestry campus, Inverness, situated within 10 hectares of woodland and an additional 100 hectares of FLS woodland serving the surrounding communities, providing a beautiful setting to learn about forests, trees and the environment.

This innovative new work-based degree allows you to continue working full/part-time within the forestry/environmental sector while undertaking a full-time degree alongside your role, using work-based learning to fulfil the credit and learning requirements. If you’re not currently working within the sector, you will study scenarios provided by the course team to recreate situations that may be experienced in a work setting.

A significant proportion of your course will be fieldwork-based projects where you will become experienced in the practical aspects of forest management and arboriculture. When you graduate you will have a technical management qualification and be experienced in all aspects of sustainable and current management of forests, trees and wider environment.

Special features

• Innovative worked-based and experiential learning degree routes to help with cost of living and work-life balance
• Varied programme of guest lectures, site visits and study tours
• Access to state-of-the- art technology and forest machinery
• Modern campus situated within a 100 hectare forest 
• Emphasis on the development of practical field-based skills
• Opportunities to participate in international student exchange programmes
• Accessible class sizes allowing for focussed and in-depth learning class
• Friendly and supportive campus community
• Study full-time, part-time or whilst in work, to suit your personal circumstances
• Vocational course, perfect for those seeking a career in forest management, arboricultural/urban forestry and wider environmental roles
• Excellent career prospects for graduates, with demonstrable success of gaining managerial posts in industry
• Accredited by Institute of Chartered Foresters
• Staff with rich industry experience and involved in leading forest/tree related research
• A wide range of associate field sites situated in the Highlands and beyond

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

• 2 Scottish Highers at grade C or above OR
• 1 Scottish Higher at grade B or above plus 4 National 5s at B or above OR
• 2 A levels at grade D or above
• Recommended but not mandatory:
  • One year's pre-course experience in woodland environment or a related area OR
  • Certificate in Forestry OR
  • Certificate in Conservation Skills
• Prospective students without the standard entry requirements as listed above are encouraged to apply. Relevant life or work experience will be taken into consideration on an individual basis
• A driving licence is highly recommended due to the nature of work and distances required to travel in the industry.

Advanced entry to year 2 of the BSc:

• Direct entry to year 2 of the BSc may be possible with the HNC Forestry
• If you have other relevant academic or professional qualifications or experience, your application will be considered on an individual basis. You may need to undertake a bridging unit and/or apply for recognition of prior learning

This course is accredited by the Institute of Chartered Foresters and gives partial fulfilment of Professional Membership Entry 

Year 1 - CertHE

You will study the following core modules:

• Forest harvesting (20) (S1)
• Forest mensuration (20) (S1)
• Forest science (20) (S1)
• Introduction to GIS/technology (20) (S2)
• Woodland establishment (20) (S2)

You will also choose from 3 elective modules equating to 20 credits: 

• Nursey production (10) (S2)
• Soil science and management (10) (S2)
• Urban forestry practice (20) (S2)

Year 2 - DipHE

You will study the following core modules:

• Forest health and protection (20) (S2)
• Forest policy and law (20) (S1)
• Silviculture systems (20) (S1)
• Urban forest management (20) (S1)
• Woodland ecology and conservation (20) (S2)

You will choose from the following elective modules equating to 20 credits:

• Forest investment and appraisal (10) (S2)
• Technology and innovation for treescapes (20) (S2)
• Wood science and timber technologies (10) (S2)

Year 3 - BSc

You will study the following core modules:

• Ecology and management of broadleaved woodlands (20) (S1)
• Forest for people: policy and practice (20) (S2)
• Forest resilience in changing environments (20) (S1)
• Landscape design for land management (20) (S2)
• Research skills (20) (S2)
• Sustainable land management (20) (S1)

Year 4 - BSc (Hons)

You will study the following core modules:

• Dissertation (40 credits) (SC)
• International forestry and timber trade (20) (S1)
• Managing biodiversity in upland woodlands (20) (S1)
• Technology for planning and management in forestry and arboriculture (20) (S2)

You will also choose one of the following modules:  

• Corporate responsibility in the global environment (20) (S2)
• Innovation and enterprise (20) (S2)

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term-time address in Scotland, studying full time, the following fees apply:

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying (see the Funding section opposite).

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes.  Students will get an automatic scholarship of £4,000 per annum and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

Additional costs

You will need to purchase your own high vis vest, hard hat and safety boots, at an approximate cost of £40 in total.

The course includes several field trips, including residentials and an optional international field trip module to Iceland. You will be required to pay a contribution towards the cost of the residentials and international trips.  The module option for Iceland trip may also require a visa; it will be your responsibility to research and secure your visa to travel to Iceland if necessary. 

There are additional costs associated with the Scottish Borders and South of England field trips, however students normally fundraise and seek sponsorship to cover these costs via the Forestry and Arboriculture Society.