Forestry Undergraduate - 2021 Entry

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

We have been teaching forestry at Bangor for more than 110 years, and there has never been a more exciting time to enter the profession. Our degrees will prepare you for the challenge of managing forests for the many benefits they provide, at a time of global environmental change. Forests, vital to the global ecosystem, cover 30% of the world’s land area. Forestry is concerned with the understanding and sustainable management of these forests for the benefit of society.

Click here for more information about the School's activities and expertise in the field of Forestry.

Why choose Bangor University for this course?

• Top five for Agriculture and Forestry (Complete University Guide League Table 2021).
• Ranked 7th in the UK for research quality (Agriculture and Forestry - The Complete University Guide 2021). 
• We were the first university to offer a Forestry degree, and we are now the first to offer an MFor degree.
• We have excellent links with forestry organisations in the UK and overseas, and these are used in our teaching programmes.
• We have a comprehensive library collection in Bangor, a forestry experimental area nearby, and are within easy travelling distance of public and privately-owned forests.
• The University owns 82 ha of woodland, many of them seminatural, which are used for teaching.
• We run week-long field courses in the first, second and final years of the degree.
• We have an experienced group of staff, with new appointments in forestry and a number of related disciplines, and excellent interaction with local professional foresters.
• There are opportunities for studying abroad (usually in Canada or Finland) during the second year. If you opt for the four-year programme you will spend a year working in the forestry profession, gaining relevant experience and increasing your employability.
• We pay for your first year student membership with the Institute of Chartered Foresters.

We combine the teaching of theory in lectures, seminars and tutorials with the application of theory in forest-based practical classes and weeklong field courses. The relaxed and informal atmosphere of seminars and tutorials encourages lively debate over current and contentious issues, and there are opportunities to discuss some of the same issues with forestry professionals during forest visits. Courses are assessed using a variety of methods involving coursework and examination. We make extensive use of the University’s ‘Blackboard’ virtual learning environment, which provides direct access to learning resources, course documents and lecture notes.

What will you study on this course?

On this Forestry course you will study 120 credits in each year, through a range of lectures, tutorials, seminars and fieldwork. Our courses are modular and optional modules allow you to expand your studies into new areas or develop specialisms that interest you.

Years 1 and 2

The first year provides an introduction to the ecological, economic and environmental principles on which forestry is based. In the second year you will develop your understanding of these principles and apply them to forestry practice. Subjects studied during the first two years include tree and wood identification, site assessment, tree measurement, silviculture and inventory, forest health, forest management and geographical information systems. By the end of the second year you will have acquired the knowledge and understanding needed for a sandwich placement year, should you wish to do one.

Year 3

In the third year, you will integrate the knowledge that you have acquired in the first two years to write a forest management plan for a local forest area. If this is your final year, you will undertake an independent research project (Honours Project) on a topic that interests you, under the supervision of academic staff. There are optional modules in forest ecology, forest ecosystems, the forestry profession, environmental issues, environmental policy, renewable energy, and advanced GIS and remote sensing. You can also choose to go on a week-long field course in Tenerife.

Year 4

The MFor does not involve an Honours Project in Year 3; instead you complete a larger, Masterslevel dissertation in Year 4. You can also choose from a range of advanced specialist modules, such as agroforestry, forest resource assessment, natural resource management and business planning.

Modules for the current academic year

Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Forestry Modules page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

Mandatory Costs:

Suitable clothing and equipment for fieldwork will be required e.g. walking boots and waterproofs, rucksack. The cost for these will vary. Approximate cost: £50-£80.

Appropriate stationary for note-taking during classes, e.g. notepad, pens and pencils. The cost for these will vary. Approximate cost: £5-£15.

Necessarily Incurred Costs:

Students are required to provide their own lunch and evening meals on the Year 2 residential fieldcourse. The cost for these will vary. Approximate total cost: £50-£70.

Materials for the preparation of academic poster for assessment. The cost and number of these will vary. Approximate cost: £10-£15.

Travel costs to undertake any fieldwork as part of Year 4 Dissertation research. The cost will vary by project (and may not even be incurred). Approximate cost for a UK-based project in a student’s home area: £15-£20.

Optional Costs:

Cost for optional residential Year 3 fieldcourse. The cost will vary by trip. Approximate cost £600.

Purchase of Wellington Boots for fieldwork. The cost for these will vary. Approximate cost: £10-£20.

Costs of any visas and vaccinations required if the student opts to undertake project work overseas. The cost for these will vary.

Notes:

Copies of all required reading materials are provided via the University Library.

Where required, laboratory coats are provided.

General University Costs

Home/EU Student Tuition Fees (starting in 2019–20 & 2020–21)

• Full time: £9,000 per year
• Part time: £750 per 10 credits

International Student Tuition Fees*
* Please note: the international tuition fees displayed are for the current academic year (2020-21). The fees for the next academic year (2021-22) will be confirmed soon.

When coming to University, you will have two main costs, Tuition Fees and Living Costs.

There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:

• If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
• If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for guest tickets (£12 each).

Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:

1. Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
2. Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
3. Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.

For 2019 entry:

• A minimum of 128 tariff points from a level 3 qualification* (excluding General Studies) including a grade C in one science subject at A2 level (preferred subjects are: Biology, Geography, Geology, Environmental Studies, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Economics, Statistics) 
• Welsh Baccalaureate is accepted. *Level 3 qualifications include A levels, BTEC, Access, Irish Highers, International Baccalaureate, Welsh Baccalaureate, Scottish Advanced Highers and others – for a full list, please refer to the new UCAS tariff at www.ucas.com.
• International Baccalaureate.
• Distinction in the City and Guilds Extended Diploma in a relevant subject (acceptable subjects: Forestry and Arboriculture, Countryside Management)
• A minimum of grades DMM in the BTEC National BTEC National/Extended Diploma in a relevant subject (acceptable BTEC subjects: Countryside Management, Applied Science, Forestry & Arboriculture, Animal Management).
• Science/Environmental-based Access course.
• Equivalent overseas qualifications.
• We consider mature students with substantial relevant experience on an individual basis.

General University Requirements

We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.

All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.

As part of the University’s policy we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.

To study a degree, diploma or certificate course you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com

We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more help and advice about being a mature student at Bangor, please visit the Study at Bangor site.

Specific entry requirements can be seen on the individual course pages.

EU and International students' entry requirements

For information and further detailed guidance on entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.

Bangor University offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Bangor University International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.

More information

Home/EU students and International UCAS applicants

E-mail for General Admissions: admissions@bangor.ac.uk or write to:

Admissions Office
Bangor University
Gwynedd
LL57 2TF

Telephone: +44 (0)1248 383717 

International students (non-UCAS applicants)

Email to International Admissions: internationaladmissions@bangor.ac.uk or write to

Admissions Office
Bangor University
Gwynedd
LL57 2TF

Telephone: +44 (0) 1248 382028

Employers are always looking for good forestry graduates who are self-motivated and enjoy working with people. A high proportion (around 80%) of our graduates find a forestry-related job within six months of graduation, and are employed by public, private and non-governmental organisations both in the UK and overseas. Our unique history, reputation and teaching excellence makes Bangor Forestry graduates highly employable.

Opportunities at Bangor

The University’s Skills and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. Developing your personal skills and enhancing your employability while at university is becoming increasingly important in today’s job market.

The Bangor Employability Award (BEA) and Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR)

The Bangor Employability Award enables students to build on their transferable skills through the recognition of activities they become involved in during their university life. Students can gain points towards the award through extra-curricular activities such as volunteering, attending workshops or actively participating in the Students’ Union’s clubs and societies.

The HEAR is a final graduation report that all undergraduates receive. The report itemises all academic achievements and additional extra and co-curricular achievements. Academic achievements appear on the report automatically and students are able to note their eligible activities by using the online platform ‘My Employability Hub’. This ensures that future employers are made aware of the additional skills the student has gained outside of the curriculum.

The Award is open to everyone and taking part in the scheme can make a major difference to your performance in the graduate job market.

Internships

Bangor University runs undergraduate and postgraduate internship schemes twice a year, which allow students to work in a professional environment while learning relevant skills and earning money.

Internships offer valuable experience in a professional workplace and there are a range of internships you can get involved in.

Student Volunteering

Not only is volunteering worthwhile – it also improves your employability and widens your experience.

The Students’ Union has a dedicated Student Volunteering Office (SVB) which currently contributes a total of 600 hours each week, promoting a close relationship between the university and the local community. Find out more on the Student Volunteering pages of the Bangor Student’s Union website.

TARGETconnect - Working while you Study

The Skills and Employability Service offers support to students searching for employment during and after their studies.

TARGETconnect advertises the following opportunities:

• Graduate jobs – Local, National and International
• Full-time, part time, permanent and temporary jobs
• Work experience / internships
• Voluntary opportunities

General University Application

How to apply through UCAS

Apply online via UCAS

UCAS stands for Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. All university applications are processed through UCAS and then passed on to the universities listed.

Students may apply for a maximum of five courses. For Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary courses students are only allowed to apply for four courses.

The application form is found on the UCAS website, under ‘Apply’.

When to apply?

We advise you to apply as early as you can as we will start considering applications and making offers straight away. The initial UCAS deadline for UK and EU students is 15 January, however we welcome applications after this date. Those received between 15 January and 30 June will continue to be forwarded to universities by UCAS and will receive consideration where places are still available.

Your Personal Statement

Writing your Personal Statement is the part of the application form that requires most work. You are only allowed 47 lines or 500–550 words to explain why you wish to study the course and the skills you have that are essential for university study.

To write a successful personal statement for your UCAS application you must have a good understanding about the course and its content. Remember that you write only one personal statement for your five choices. Make sure that the courses are similar, if not the same, and make sure that you do not mention a specific course or university.

Read our advice on how to draft a winning personal statement or watch our video guide.

After you’ve applied

You should keep an eye on your application on UCAS ‘Track’. Offers from universities will appear on track and you will be able to accept or decline offers.

You can only reply when you have received all your decisions. The types of reply you can make are firm acceptance and insurance acceptance. Usually students reply in early May.

International Student?

If you are an international student, our International Student pages offer further information on applying.

As an international student applying to study one of our undergraduate programmes you can:

• apply via UCAS,
• or apply direct to Bangor through our online direct application system
• or apply with the help of one of our recruitment agents

Erasmus student?

We receive around 350 exchange students every year from all over the world. 45% of these students come from Europe and the remainder from as far as Singapore, South Korea and Australia.

The University’s International Exchanges Office is responsible for welcoming these students.

Confused about your next steps?

Take a look at our Going to University website for information and advice on getting ready for university.