Woodland Management and Conservation

Highlights

With over 100 years of experience in teaching about woodlands, we were the first university in the UK to offer a degree in this subject. Much of our education takes place outdoors in woodlands. We own 82 hectares of woodland and frequently visit a diverse range of woodlands in Snowdonia.

We maintain excellent links with woodland organisations both in the UK and internationally, who actively contribute to our degree programmes and frequently employ our graduates. Our curriculum includes week-long field courses, providing immersive, hands-on learning experiences. Developed in partnership with the Woodland Trust.

Course overview

Woodlands are vital for the myriad benefits they provide, and there is a growing global interest in creating new woodlands both in the UK and internationally. This degree is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to manage woodlands effectively, enhancing biodiversity conservation, public wellbeing, and the sustainable production of renewable materials. Throughout this course, you will study woodland management in both UK and international contexts, focusing on their role in adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change.

We adopt a hands-on approach to explore the ecological value of woodlands and their broader role in agroecology, including agroforestry. Additionally, you will examine the benefits provided by trees outside traditional woodlands. Accredited by the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF), our BSc (Hons) Woodland Management and Conservation sets you on a journey to become a Chartered Forester.

Studying in a fantastic location for field trips and projects near Eryri National Park Authority, you also have access to the 82 hectares of woodlands, many semi natural, and farmland we own at the University’s Henfaes Research Centre. The Centre, also a Defra study farm and part of the Global Farm Platform, hosts a range of forestry and land-use research experiments that provide excellent learning resources. This degree offers an in-depth understanding of woodland ecosystems, covering the physical, biological, and ecological aspects and their interactions and variations over time and space.

You will delve into the scientific and socio-economic principles that underpin woodland management, along with the physical and biological processes that shape our natural world. You will become proficient in sustainable woodland management and gain expertise in the economic and environmental appraisal of woodlands. This includes studying design, silviculture, restoration, protection, and inventory of both tree and non-tree components.

Furthermore, you will explore the broader role of various woodland systems for resilience and their place within larger socio-ecological systems. By choosing this degree, you will be prepared to make a significant impact in the field of woodland management, equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of this critical area. Join us and become a part of a community dedicated to advancing sustainable practices and fostering a deeper understanding of our natural world.

Becoming a Chartered Forester Chartered status is an internationally recognised badge of excellence. The Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) is the UK’s Royal Chartered professional body offering the Chartered Forester and Chartered Arboriculturist title. Accreditation means that, upon successful graduation, you can start the journey to become a Chartered Forester.

Eligibility for Professional Membership Entry (PME) is assessed using a points-based system, where applicants must obtain 10 qualifying points. Points are awarded based on a combination of academic qualifications and relevant professional experience. This bachelor’s degree equates to the maximum eight points, and you can obtain an additional one point per year of full-time relevant work in a supervisory, managerial, or scientific capacity.