Forestry HND

Course code 005D

What is special about this course?

If you like working in the great outdoors and are interested in the conservation and management of our woodland and forest areas, the HND Forestry will give you the knowledge and skills to pursue a career in the forestry industry.

You will study at the Scottish School of Forestry, part of UHI Inverness and the leading provider of both further and higher forestry education in Scotland.  

To enhance employability you will undertake a one-year work placement (this takes place between the HNC and HND year of the course), except in cases where suitable alternative experience can be demonstrated.

Special features

  • Studying at the Scottish School of Forestry, just outside Inverness, you will benefit from access to the specialist facilities and expert staff
  • You will have the opportunity to attend a study tour of the Borders at the end of the HNC year, and the South of England at the end of the HND year
  • You will undertake a paid work placement in the forestry industry; a driving licence is a prerequisite for the placement year
  • You will study alongside students from a wide range of nationalities and backgrounds and have the opportunity to take part in a range of study exchange programmes
  • The course can be studied on a full-time or part-time basis to suit your personal and professional circumstances

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

Entry to year 1, the HNC Forestry:

  • 2 Scottish Highers at grade C or above (preferably including at least one of geography, environmental science, English or physics), OR
  • 1 Scottish Higher at grade B, plus 4 National 5s at grade B or above OR
  • 2 A levels at grade D or above
  • Minimum of 1 year's pre-course experience in woodland environment is required or attainment of the Certificate in Forestry or equivalent. This requirement may be waived for applicants with 3 or more Highers, or equivalent, at grade B or above
  • Prospective students without the standard entry requirements as listed above are encouraged to apply; relevant life or work experience will be taken into consideration on an individual basis
  • A driving licence is a prerequisite for the placement year

Advanced entry to year two:

  • Direct entry to year 2 may be possible with an HNC Forestry

 

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

Year 1 - HNC

Year 1 of this course is the HNC Forestry.

Year 2 - HND

Mandatory units are:

  • Forestry: graded unit 2
  • Forest recreation
  • Forestry and other land use
  • Forestry industries market evaluation
  • Forestry: financial control of forest enterprises
  • Forestry: forest design
  • Forestry: forest policy and law
  • Forestry: forest protection
  • Forestry: woodland conservation
  • Forestry: woodland ecology

 Option units may include:

  • Forestry: use of computers in forestry management
  • Getting started in business
  • Urban woodlands and green space

As well as the second year of study at the Scottish School of Forestry, students also undertake a one-year industry work placement (held prior to commencement of the HND year): exceptions may be made in cases where suitable alternative experience can be demonstrated.

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • Part-time (unstructured)
  • You will study by way of face-to-face lectures and tutorials in the classroom and practical work in forest environments

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 3 years (HNC + HND + work placement)
  • Part-time: 4-6 years (depending on requirement for a work placement)

Where can I study my course?

  • Inverness - Scottish School of Forestry

Start date

  • September

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

  • EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) 2023-24 2024-25
Full-time per year £1,285 £1,285
Part-time (per HN credit) £86 £86

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) 2023-24 2024-25
Full-time per year £7,110 £7,110
Part-time (per HN credit) £474 £474

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK, including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) 2023-24 2024-25
Full-time per year £7,980 £8,775
Part-time (per HN credit) £532 £585

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

Additional costs

You will need to purchase your own high vis vest, hard hat and safety boots, at an approximate cost of £40 in total.

There are additional costs associated with the Scottish Borders and South of England field trips, however students via the Forestry and Arboriculture Society normally fundraise and seek sponsorship to cover these costs.

What can I do on completion of my course?

On completion of your course you will be eligible for Associate Membership of the Institute of Chartered Foresters and able to apply for posts in a wide range of areas within the forestry industry.

Can I progress into further study?

On successful completion of the HND, you may progress directly on to the third year of the BSc (Hons) Forest Management.

Is there more information available online?

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Apply for Forestry HND

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2024

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.