Forestry

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

Click here to Download Course Pathways document.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.