Forestry HNC

Information iconCourse code: 105D

Calendar iconStudy mode: You study most days of the week and complete all course units /modules in the standard time., You take fewer course units/modules per week compared to full time.

Mortar board iconCourse type: HNC

Globe iconInternational: Available to study on-campus

Campus iconStudy at: Inverness

Pen iconStart in: September

Computer and book iconLearning mode: You attend classes in person at your local campus or learning centre.

Clock iconDuration: Full time: 1 year; Part time: 2-3 years

Book and tick iconHow: You attend classes at scheduled times, shown on your timetable.

What is special about this course?

The HNC Forestry will give you the skills, knowledge and experience required to succeed as a supervisor or self-employed contractor in the forestry industry.

Subjects include: forest science; establishment of woodlands; forest harvesting; forest mensuration and thinning control; timber sales and transportation; and woodland nursery production.

 

Special features

  • You will study at the Scottish School of Forestry, part of UHI Inverness
  • You can study full-time or part-time to suit your personal and professional circumstances
  • You will learn the technical, supervisory and managerial skills necessary for employment in forestry and woodland

Accommodation

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

Entry requirements

  • 2 Scottish Highers at grade C or above OR
  • 2 A levels at grade D or above
  • Ideally, the above should include one science subject, such as: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Mathematics, Environmental Science
  • We recommend that you have experience of working in a woodland environment or have completed a course such as the Forestry and Urban Woodland Operations (Advanced) or equivalent
  • 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

Mandatory units are:

  • Forestry: forest science
  • Forestry: timber sales and transportation
  • Forestry: graded unit 1
  • Employment and health and safety legislation for the land-based industries
  • Establishment of woodland
  • Forest harvesting
  • Forest mensuration and thinning control

Option units may include:

  • Forestry: land measurement
  • Woodland nursery production
  • Forestry: woody plant biology
  • Forestry: silvicultural systems
  • Communication: practical skills
  • Forestry operations: work programming
  • Leadership of countryside activities 

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • Part-time (structured)
  • You will study by way of traditional classroom-based lectures and tutorials and practical workshops at the Scottish School of Forestry, part of UHI Inverness

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 1 year
  • Part-time: up to 3 years
  • Inverness - Scottish School of Forestry

Start date

  • September

Fees

For information on costs of this course please contact the campus where you wish to study.

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 may be interested in pursuing a career as a forest supervisor/foreman or contractor.

Can I progress into further study?

On successful completion of this course, you can progress to year two of the BSc (Hons) Forest Management.

Apply for Forestry HNC

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2026

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.