HND Forestry

This course develops the skills and knowledge you need to specialise in forestry or urban forestry.

Location: Barony
Study mode: full time (2 years), Part time (4 years)
Subject area: Forestry and Arboriculture
Start date: September 2025
Agency code: HD02

Apply now

Course overview

This two year course will develop your skills and knowledge in the management of silviculture, woodland establishment, harvesting and sales as well as surveying and mensuration, mapping and forest conservation.

You'll also develop an awareness of health and safety, and environmental issues directly related to forestry.

Academic study is supported by practical experience, which will enable you to begin your career in forestry and woodland management.

Virtual Experience

Take a look around the SRUC Virtual Experience for lots of great student videos and examples of what it’s like to study our courses, along with campus and facility tours.

SRUC holds open days regularly. Visit our listings page for details of our up-coming events.

Entry requirements

You should be 17 years old or more to apply for this course. Mature students are actively encouraged to apply.

We normally expect two highers (CC), preferably including a science or geography. Equivalent qualifications, like the Advanced Certificate in Forestry & Arboriculture, are also accepted.

Appropriate employment experience in other sectors will also be considered.

What you'll learn

In the first year you will follow the HNC Course. You'll learn about all aspects of forestry, like the establishment of woodlands, silviculture, geographical information systems, thinning and harvesting as well as conservation and environmental topics.

The course also includes practical experiences and examples through visits to various types of forests and woodlands, operational sites and timber processing facilities.

After successful completion year 1, you will move on to year 2 where you will build upon your knowledge gained in the first year as well as looking at new topics such as Forest Policy and Law, Financial Control and Forest Enterprises and Forest Industry Market Evaluation which will give you an understanding of the financial and business side of forestry as well as the laws that regulate forestry practice ad timber sales.

Example modules include:

Forest Science
Establishment of Woodland
Timber Sales and Transportation
Forest Mensuration and Thinning Control
Silviculture
Forest Policy and Law
Forest Industries Market Evaluation

Fees and funding

Eligible full-time students studying this course should apply to SAAS for fees and funding. A student loan is also available to help students with living costs.

If you do not apply, you will have to pay your fees yourself and if you have studied at HNC/D/degree level before SAAS may not pay your fees.

More information about funding your course

Find out more about your payment options for this course in our fees and funding section

Fees & funding

Other possible routes to funding

Care experienced bursary: There are a number of bursaries available to care-experienced students studying full time. Find out more from our student funding teams at: registryfunding@SRUC.ac.uk
Discretionary fund
- SAAS student bursary
- Care Experienced Accommodation Grant
- Childcare
- Going further bursary
- RUK bursary (for students from outside Scotland)
- The Gregor Thomas Royan Lamb Bursary for Future Farmers
- Centenary bursary
- Change your path bursary

Hugh Morris

Senior Lecturer

I am a senior lecturer in forestry and arboriculture at the Barony campus, Dumfries, with the vision to develop curricula and research in these disciplines with our team, and the aim to make a positive contribution to the planet in these changing times.

In my spare time, I travel, climb mountains, trail run, and run the odd marathon, while still climbing trees when I get the chance.

Read my full profile

Sam Howard

Lecturer

I am a Forest Manager that has returned to academia to prepare the next generation of Foresters. My focus is on making sure students are equipped with the skills to excel in the workplace. I use a mix of exercises, workshops, site visits and presentations to deliver course material to reflect the dynamic nature of the workplace in the forestry sector.

Read my full profile

HND Forestry

Apply now