Structure

The structure of our distance learning degrees has been designed to give maximum flexibility to the student whilst maintaining the highest possible academic rigour; a factor on which we pride ourselves.

We continue to innovate in this field, and further courses will be developed in order to complement our suite of full-time MSc courses.

MSc Forestry & MSc Tropical Forestry

Our distance learning courses use some of the latest learning technologies. In addition, some modules integrate distance learning with full-time Bangor based MSc forestry teaching. This means that on specific modules you will have the opportunity to participate in lectures and seminars broadcast live, and to work in groups with other students at Bangor University, including for example, preparing and making video presentations and other activities. It also means that if your time and location allows, you can visit Bangor and study alongside full-time students, either for just a few specific lectures / seminars, or for the entire module, as is convenient for you.

MSc Forestry

The MSc Forestry course is made up of 120 credit modules, each designed to run over a period of three months. Each module is delivered via comprehensive in-house printed course material, accompanying course guides and web-based support, based on the Blackboard™ virtual learning environment (VLE). A number of optional assignments may be submitted by students as the module progresses, to give realistic feedback on progress with the material.

The modules are each assessed by one or more pieces of continual assessment (up to a maximum of 60% of the module mark) by a final examination (worth up to a maximum of 40% of the module mark). Students based in the UK and Ireland are expected to travel to Bangor for the examination, arrangements are made for overseas students to sit a comparable examination (on the same day) in a local British Council office.

There are a number of validated exit points on our distance learning courses:

  • students who successfully complete 60 credits can opt to leave the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate
  • students who continue to successfully complete 120 credits can be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma; or
  • students who successfully complete 120 credits and a research dissertation can be awarded the MSc
    (The research dissertation is a substantial piece of work which may take a year to complete.)

It is possible to achieve a Postgraduate Diploma within two years of starting the course, or the MSc within three years.

The modules which make up our distance learning courses are also all designed as stand-alone courses in their own right. If you feel you’d rather not take a full MSc, you will be able to “mix & match” our learning material to suit your own needs. Indeed, your employer may even consider sponsoring you for the purposes of your continuing professional development (CPD).

Modules

The modules making up this distance-learning degree are offered on two separate streams:

Ecology and Management stream

Forests, Trees and People stream

Plus a choice of either:

MSc Forestry residential modules

Distance learning students registered on MSc Forestry are required to attend a Forestry Study Tour in the spring of their first year which takes place over a week in Wales and / or England. The Ecology and Management stream also includes a residential module in the second year (Forest Management Planning) which requires a week-long visit to Bangor in the spring of the second year.

Images from a recent Forestry Study Tour can be viewed at
www.photobox.co.uk/slideshow?album_id=847779492

When viewing the slideshow, we suggest you view it on ‘slow’ or use the ‘pause’ and ‘play’ buttons, and click ‘show info’ just above the photo reel (bottom of page). This will display the photo captions.”

MSc Tropical Forestry

The Tropical Forestry distance learning MSc is made up of 120 credits of ‘taught’ modules, including the Tropical Forestry Study Tour. Modules are delivered via comprehensive in-house printed course material, accompanying course guides and web-based support, based on the Blackboard virtual learning environments (VLE) used by Bangor University.

Modules are assessed by one or more pieces of continual assessment (up to a maximum of 60% of the module mark) and by a final examination (worth up to a maximum of 40% of the module mark).

Students based in the UK and Ireland are expected to travel to Bangor for examinations, arrangements are made for overseas students to sit a comparable examination (on the same day) in a local British Council office.

There are a number of validated exit points on our distance learning courses:

  • students who successfully complete 60 credits can opt to leave the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate
  • students who continue to successfully complete 120 credits can be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma; or
  • students who successfully complete 120 credits and a research dissertation can be awarded the MSc
    (The research dissertation is a substantial piece of work which may take a year to complete.)

It is possible to achieve a Postgraduate Diploma within two years of starting the course, or the MSc within three years.

The modules which make up our distance learning courses are also all designed as stand-alone courses in their own right. If you feel you’d rather not take a full MSc, you will be able to “mix & match” our learning material to suit your own needs. Indeed, your employer may even consider sponsoring you for the purposes of your continuing professional development (CPD).

Modules

The modules making-up the MSc Tropical Forestry distance-learning degree are:

Sustainable Tropical Forestry Summer School

Distance learning students registered on this course are required to attend an annual international summer school, held in the last week of July and first week of August each year.

The full story of the last summer school (held in Ghana - July/August 2015) can be found here

MSc Food Security in a Changing Environment

The MSc Food Security course is made up of 120 credit modules, each designed to run over a period of 12 weeks. Each module is delivered via comprehensive on-line course material, including filmed lectures, podcasts and discussion boards plus web-based support, based on the Blackboard™ virtual learning environment (VLE). Assignments are submitted by students as the module progresses, to give realistic feedback on progress with the material.

The modules are each assessed by pieces of continual assessment. Students based in the UK and Ireland are encouraged to travel to UK workshops but there is no requirement to attend these before starting the on-line course, overseas students can join the on-line course without ever needing to travel to the UK.

There are a number of validated exit points on our distance learning courses:

  • students who successfully complete 60 credits can opt to leave the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate
  • students who continue to successfully complete 120 credits can be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma; or
  • students who successfully complete 120 credits and a research dissertation can be awarded the MSc
    (The research dissertation is a substantial piece of work which may take a year to complete.)

It is possible to achieve a Postgraduate Diploma within two years of starting the course, or the MSc within three years. Students who are accepted to the course have 5 years to complete.

The modules which make up our distance learning courses are also all designed as stand-alone courses in their own right. If you feel you’d rather not take a full MSc, you will be able to “mix & match” our learning material to suit your own needs. Indeed, your employer may even consider sponsoring you for the purposes of your continuing professional development (CPD).

Our modules...

The modules making-up the MSc Food Security distance-learning degree are: