Forestry

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BAgrSc (NFQ Level 8)

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Irish/UK/EU Applicant

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Scholarships Available

Sustainable Development Goals

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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Direct entry to DN250FOS1 Forestry (BAgrSc) 4 Years

Duration: : 4 Years

Attendance: : Full Time

Delivery: : On Campus

NFQ Level: : 8 (240 credits)

Level: : Undergraduate

Award: : Bachelor of Agricultural Science

Next Intake: : September

General Entry Requirements (A-Level) : ABC / BBCD / BBC +\ D AS Level

*Please note that  A Level requirements are under review and will be updated in Nov 2024. For further information, please see [here](https://www.ucd.ie/global/study-at-ucd/undergraduate/entryrequirements/cambridgealevel/).*

General Entry Requirements (IB) : 26

Subject Requirements (Mathematics) : GCSE C / AS Level D\ / A Level E\ IB SL 4 / HL 3

Subject Requirements (Laboratory Science) : GCSE C / AS Level D\ / A Level E\ IB SL 4 / HL 3

CAO Points 2025 : 431

Leaving Cert Subject Entry Requirements : O6/H7 in English, Irish, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject and two other recognised subjects.

Country Specific Entry Requirements: : Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.

Other School Leaving Requirements: : See www.ucd.ie/admissions

Curricular information is subject to change.

Entry via DN250UAS1 Agricultural Science (BAgrSc) 4 Years

Duration: : 4 Years

Attendance: : Full Time

Delivery: : On Campus

NFQ Level: : 8 (240 credits)

Level: : Undergraduate

Award: : Bachelor of Agricultural Science

Next Intake: : September

General Entry Requirements (A-Level) : CCC + D AS Level

General Entry Requirements (IB) : 27

Subject Requirements (Mathematics) : GCSE C / AS Level D / A Level E\ IB SL 4 / HL 3

Subject Requirements (Laboratory Science) : GCSE C / A Level E

(or AS Level D)\
IB SL 4 / HL 3

CAO Points 2025 : 431

Leaving Cert Subject Entry Requirements : O6/H7 in English, Irish, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject and two other recognised subjects.

Country Specific Entry Requirements: : Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.

Other School Leaving Requirements: : See www.ucd.ie/admissions

Read more about Agricultural Science

Curricular information is subject to change.

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If you are concerned about the natural environment and issues of sustainability then Forestry could be the course for you. Forestry students learn how to create habitats, provide spaces for recreation, and produce timber - a resource that can simultaneously store carbon and substitute for concrete and steel.

About This Course

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Why is this course for me?

If you are concerned about the natural environment and issues of sustainability then Forestry could be the course for you. Forestry students learn how to create habitats, provide spaces for recreation, and produce timber - a resource that can simultaneously store carbon and substitute for concrete and steel.

The Forestry sector has expanded considerably in Ireland in recent decades and there is an ongoing demand for qualified forestry professionals. With the skills you gain in this degree, you will be able to create meaningful change for the Irish environment and contribute positively to solving some of the biggest challenges facing the world.

UCD Forestry students gain skills in forest planning, remote sensing, the use of geographical information systems and forest modelling while developing the capacity for life-long learning that enables them to stay abreast of developments in policy, technology and the sciences that underpin forestry practice. They learn how to manage forest systems to:

• Produce timber and renewable energy
• Sequester carbon
• Improve biodiversity and wildlife habitats
• Develop resilience for climate change
• Protect soil and water resources

Course Pathways

Click here to Download Course Pathways document.

What Will I Study?

The combination of science and business modules, complemented by a work experience placement, ensures that UCD Forestry graduates are in high demand across the sector.

First Year

The first year of the programme equips students with the basics in science and business knowledge; this provides the necessary grounding from which to progress to more specialised and technical aspects of forestry practice.

Second Year

This year focuses on developing land management, business and communication and principles of forestry knowledge.

Third Year

Third year comprises modules on forestryspecific topics like forest management, forest protection, silviculture, forest harvesting and forest inventory as well as key skills such as using remote sensing data and GIS. Students undertake a period of 16 weeks of work placement enabling them to return for the final year of study energised and informed about their chosen career.

Fourth Year

Fourth year is largely project-based and allows students to combine all of their skills and knowledge, while further developing their ability to communicate effectively.

International Study Opportunities

Opportunities to travel abroad present in third year - forestry students have studied for a trimester in universities across the United States including:

• Michigan State University, USA
• Purdue University, USA
• University of Vermont, USA

During Work Experience, students have travelled to Iceland, Germany, and the United States.

Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

Forestry graduates find employment in all areas of the sector, including:

• State and semi-state agencies
• Forest management and consultancy
• Wood processing and renewable energy
• Environmental agencies
• Education and research
• Forestry contractors

Many graduates set up their own forestry businesses. Other opportunities include information technology, land-use planning and financial services.

Research to Master’s and PhD levels is available.

Other Entry Routes

• Level 5/6 QQI-FET
• Open Learning Entry Route
• Mature Entry Route
• DARE Entry Route
• HEAR Entry Route
• University Access

View All Modules

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

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How this degree contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals?

Forests and trees, and their management, can contribute directly to the achievement of many of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Forestry degree delivered by UCD offers students opportunities for employment across the land-management sector where their knowledge will be key to furthering the impact of the SDGs to benefit society and the wider environment. Forestry students study a range of topic areas that contribute directly and indirectly to the achievement of the SDGs, as listed below.

While it is widely accepted that forests are the lungs of the earth, providing us with sustainable and renewable timber and support biodiversity…

• time spent in a forest has been shown to have measurable impacts on blood pressure and stress levels thus contributing to better health & well-being;
• trees in urban settings reduce particulate pollution, shelter buildings and pedestrians and combat the ‘urban heat island’ effect which is exacerbated by climate change and increasing urbanisation;
• trees grown in agroforestry settings confer greater environmental and ecological sustainability to crop and livestock production systems;
• forestry plays a significant role in supporting biodiversity and management routinely aims for production of multiple ecosystem services;
• forests help to mitigate the impacts of storm events by regulating water flow and protecting soil surfaces from erosion. Trees and forests play an integral role in the global water cycle, distributing water resources and protecting water quality;
• well-managed forests support rural employment in management, harvesting, logistics and timber processing;
• trees directly sequester carbon, harvested wood products store carbon, and timber can be used as a substitute for high energy building materials, like steel and concrete. In addition, wood biomass is becoming more important as a renewable and sustainable energy source;
• the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recognises that sustainable timber production is an essential climate mitigation tool;
• forest research continues to develop greater understanding of tree and forest systems, of how they interact with climate, of how we can optimise our management of them, and how our society can better benefit from them as well as conserve them;

The SDGs that are directly, or indirectly, positively impacted by forests are:

• Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
• Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
• Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
• Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
• Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
• Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
• Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
• Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
• Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
• Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Testimonial

I’m from Dublin and I don’t actually have any farming background but spent most weekends up the mountains but in TY I was introduced to Forestry and wanted to go for it. I worked all over Ireland during my working placement and got to see different harvesting sites, a saw mill did some chainsaw work which was really interesting. We also had foresters come in and talk to us which was brilliant to hear from experts working in the industry. It’s such a diverse course with lots of opportunities in many areas so if you have any interest in the outdoors definitely put it down!

Liam Irwin, Student

Fees, Funding and Scholarships

Non-EU Undergraduate Fee information can be found here.

UCD offers a number of competitive undergraduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD undergraduate degree programme. For information on Undergraduate Scholarships, please see the UCD International Scholarships webpage.

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How to Apply

General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Forestry:

* you can change options at the top of the page

Additional special entry route(s) to Forestry:

These options have additional eligibility requirements to cater for specific applicant cohorts. You should not apply via these routes before consulting the requirements or contacting the responsible UCD office.

Further Information

Contact UsEventsInformation for your CountryUndergraduate AdmissionDownload BrochureDownload BrochureView UCD ProspectusChat to Students

Other Courses of Interest

• Agri-Environmental Sciences (ESS1)
• Food Science (FSS2)
• Horticulture (HLS6)