Climate change and biodiversity loss are the twin challenges of our time. Choose woodland ecology and conservation to gain the expertise to enable you to become part of the solution.

**Course overview**
You’ll study the science and art of sustainably managing trees, woods and forests at our National School of Forestry.

Throughout the course, hands-on experience will back up the theory with ancient woodland and commercial forests, residential study tours to the upland and lowland areas, as well as the opportunity for an international exchange at Humboldt State University, California. There will also be opportunity to take a one-year work placement in a related profession, bolstering your confidence and putting your knowledge into practice in the real world.

You’ll be living and studying in the ideal location to explore and practise the management of woodlands, with the National School of Forestry based on our inspirational Ambleside campus in the heart of the Lake District.

**On this course you will**
- Have easy access to local woodlands giving you the chance to explore different forest ecosystems and how they're managed.

- Benefit from great opportunities for paid placements and graduate job prospects thanks to our links with organisations like the Royal Forestry Society and Woodland Trust.

- Learn from tutors with field experience, who conduct ground-breaking, international research that will inform your studies.

- Be given the opportunity to study abroad at Humboldt State University, California. Gain insight into international forest management and conservation.

**What you will learn**
Develop your knowledge and skills around forest management. This degree programme will increase your understanding of the physical, biological, economic and sociological principles and processes that underpin forestry. Furthermore, you will develop this understanding in the field with a one-year placement opportunity found through one of our partners.

You will learn to apply such principles and processes to the sustainable management of trees, woodland and forests for multiple goods and ecosystem services (for example, production of wood and nonwood forest products, carbon sequestration, protection of soil and water, and recreation and other cultural services).

Our programme will allow you to explore the commercial, social and environmental contexts in which forestry is practised and the consequences of forestry for the rural economy, society and the environment.

**How you will learn**
Delivered by research active academics, some of whom have recent woodland management experience; the course includes lectures, laboratory practicals, computer sessions and fieldwork in the ancient semi-natural woodlands and commercial forest plantations around our beautiful Ambleside Campus, in the heart of the Lake District National Park.

You will be inspired by passionate lecturers telling you about their own research findings, and by fieldtrips where staff discuss the ecologically evidence based decisions they made.

In addition to working individually, you will typically be embedded in small team and group working to help you develop these critical skills ready for the workplace.

During your third year, you will work off-campus using your knowledge in the field through a work placement.

**How you will be assessed**
Although most assessments are individual, there will be 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.

Throughout the programme, you will undertake a number of assessments, both practical and theoretical. This will allow you to practice key skills and attributes that feed into your future employability.