Forest Management

Get ready to shape and save the future of our environment, tackle critical issues and make a lasting impact on our planet. Learn from world-leading experts how to work with nature, not against it.

You will be based at the National School of Forestry in our inspiring Ambleside campus, nestled in the heart of the Lake District National Park. Your environment will serve as your classroom as you study woodlands and forests.

Under the guidance of leading industry experts, you will be immersed in their dedication to research. You can tap into their extensive network, whilst taking advantage of Cumbria’s strong national and global partnerships.

Hone your practical skills through field experiences, conducting personal research and taking part in immersive, hands-on learning. Simultaneously, cultivate industry relevant business skills that pave the way for a broad spectrum of career opportunities.

Course Overview

If you’re passionate about managing woodlands for the benefit of people and planet, our Forest Management degree offers the perfect blend of theory, practical skills and real-world application.

You’ll study how to manage forests for commercial, recreation and conservation purposes, with your core modules focusing on silviculture, woodland ecology, forest health and forest management planning. You'll also gain extensive hands-on experience in diverse woodland environments, from ancient semi-natural woodland to plantations.

As part of the course, you'll study cross-cutting and professional modules that develop essential competencies for modern forestry. These skills are introduced gradually and reinforced throughout your studies. For example, you’ll begin learning Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in your first year, progressing from basic data mapping to advanced forest analysis using remote sensing and complex datasets by your final year.

Our vocationally focused degree is designed to prepare you for a career as a professional forest manager both in the UK and internationally. You’ll have the opportunity to build your experience through employment, placements, work experience and volunteering opportunities, helping you graduate with the skills and confidence employers value.

On this course you will...

• Develop skills and knowledge that is attractive to forestry employers.

• Be taught by tutors who have worked as professional foresters and bring their first-hand experience to their teaching.

• Be a part of small class sizes, meaning you’ll get personal tutor guidance and support throughout your studies.

• Experience hands-on forestry frequently, thanks to our practical-focused approach.

Accredited by the Institute of Chartered Foresters, the forestry sector's professional body, the course will teach you about the management of forests and woodlands for commercial, recreation, and conservation objectives.

Our National School of Forestry, based in the iconic Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the ideal place to explore the science and practice of managing forests. You'll live and learn on our friendly Ambleside campus, the only university campus in a national park, and also home to the Centre for National Parks and Protected Areas. You'll also 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.

And, thanks to our excellent links with forestry organisations, we have a strong graduate employment record too.

Year one

• Introduction to Managing Trees, Woods and Forests
• Measuring Trees and Forests
• Silviculture
• Woodland Ecology
• Wood Utilisation and Processing
• Forestry Fundamentals
• Practical Forest Skills

Year two

• Geographic Information Systems
• Research Methods and Data Analysis
• Managing Forest Operations
• Forest Policy and Governance
• Forest Health and Protection
• People & Forests

Year three

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

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.

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
• dissertations
• group work
• unseen examinations
• open-book examinations