Postgraduate courses in Forestry

The world of forestry mostly requires good physical fitness and stamina. It can be quite physically challenging. 

Did you know that forests are home to over 80% of land animals and plants and cover 31% of the world’s total land area? 

This is why the care of forests is so important. If this is an area that suits your interest or the direction you’d like to take your career in, we have some information to help you on your search. 

What is forestry?

Forestry is the science that focuses on the healthy growth and maintenance of woodlands and parks. It is the craft of creating, managing, using, conserving and repairing forests. It is considered to be both a science and an art and is rooted in the basic sciences of biology, chemistry and mathematics. 

What work is involved?

Many who work in forestry can work as foresters or forest/woodland managers. Working in this area may see you working weekends, evening and unsocial hours. We will take a look at the job description of a forest manager. Day to day duties may differ from day to day. Tasks may include:

• Monitor forest health 
• Monitor growth of forest
• Ensure health and safety practices 
• Engage in negotiations of sales 
• Engage in the financial and business management side of work
• Forest care
• Ensure fire prevention 
• Ensure forest security 

Courses

There are many courses on offer in the area across the UK. Some courses offer the opportunity to study either part time or full time. Universities may have certain restrictions in place due to Coivd-19 and may offer courses online. Courses available include:

Conservation and Forest Production 

Postgraduate courses in this area will allow students to cover a broad range of topics in conservation and forestry related topics such as forest pathology and forest pests, forest soils, sits and nutrition and forest and woodland ecology and conservation, to name a few. Students will gain the opportunity to develop skills to enable them to work in this environment. A major aim of these courses is for students to be able to recognize the biotic and abiotic problems affecting temperate and tropical trees and forests.

Environmental and Forest Management 

Courses in this area look at the principles of forest and woodland management as well as general environment management and how they apply to the UK and overseas. Areas covered include the core competencies of forestry and environmental management among other topics. 

Timber Technology

Postgraduate courses in timber technology give students the opportunity to develop skills as timber design professionals. The aim of these courses is to give students a holistic understanding of wood from it’s micro to macro scale properties as well as an understanding of characteristics properties of timber and knowledge of industrial processing of timber buildings. Another area also focused on are the adjacent disciplines including sustainable forestry practice and the timber construction industry. 

Other courses available include Wildlife Management, Agroforestry and Food Security, Forestry, Environmental Forestry and Sustainable Tropical Forestry along with many other courses in this area. 

Entry requirements

Entry requirements may differ from course to course or university to university. Therefore, it is important to research your specific course in detail to ensure you meet the entry requirements. As these courses are postgraduate courses, you will need a bachelor’s degree. Some courses may accept a 2.2 degree while others will require a 2.1. A degree in a relevant area is preferred 

Salary

Salaries may differ depending on your employment. It is believed that qualified forestry managers can be anything between £25,000 to £35,000 while those with experience, a lot of responsibility and working at the top end may earn up to £60,000. Salaries may also differ between the public and private sector. All figures are baked on estimates and are intended to be used as a guide only. 

Skills and requirements 

Skills and requirements helpful and relevant to working in this area include:

• Strong leadership skills
• Strong communication skills
• Time management
• Organisation skills
• Ability to work well with others
• Good physical fitness
• Numeracy skills
• An understanding of the industry and the importance of providing a high quality service that is also cost efficient