Program Overview

Forests are the most biodiverse of all terrestrial ecosystems and contain the vast majority of the world’s species. Providing food, shelter, drainage, medicine, raw materials, and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide, they cover an estimated 30% of the Earth’s land surface, account for 50% of plant productivity, and store up to 45% of the world’s carbon[KJ1] .

Accredited by the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF), our BSc (Hons) Conservation with Forestry will give you a deeper, science led, understanding of the biodiversity of forests and woodlands and their role in reducing the impacts of human activities, including climate change. You will focus on the principles of biological conservation, forest ecology, forest ecosystem function, and the management of forests across the globe to meet conservation objectives.

Studying in a fantastic location for field trips and projects near Eryri National Park Authority, you also have access to the 82 hectares of woodlands, many semi natural, and farmland we own at the University’s Henfaes Research Centre. The Centre, also a Defra study farm and part of the Global Farm Platform, hosts a range of forestry and land-use research experiments that provide excellent learning resources.

Bangor University was the first university in the UK to offer a degree in forestry. We also launched the career of the world’s first female forester, Mary Sutherland. Today, our forestry alumni are part of the forestry and woodland management heritage, capacity, and expertise of a huge array of countries and organisations.

Our graduates have sat on the Government’s Climate Change Committee and Tony Fearnside worked for the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation watershed management project and received an OMA Medal of the order of Australia for his for service to the community of the Australian Capital Territory .

Our extensive local, national, and international networks and active research programmes allow us to deliver high quality teaching which addresses cutting-edge issues, from investigating the role of trees on African livelihoods to biodiversity assessments in the Caribbean montane forests and climate change assessments the Amazon rainforest. Our research, much world leading, concerns forests and climate change adaption, mitigation, deforestation, biodiversity, disaster recovery, food security, flood protection, nutrient cycling, human wellbeing, conservation, and the role of forests in recreation.

We work closely with, and introduce our students to, organisations such as the ICF, Natural Resources Wales and Natural England, Eryri National Park Authority, the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Woodland Trust, Small Wood Association, Forest Research, Tilhill Forestry, Pryor and Rickett Silviculture, and many others. Some contribute to teaching and offer opportunities for projects and work placements.

Becoming a Chartered Forester

Chartered status is an internationally recognised badge of excellence. The Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) is the UK’s Royal Chartered professional body offering the Chartered Forester and Chartered Arboriculturist title. Accreditation of our BSc (Hons) Conservation with Forestry degree means that, upon successful graduation, you can start the journey to become a Chartered Forester. We will also pay your first year’s student membership fees.

Eligibility for Professional Membership Entry (PME) is assessed using a points-based system, where applicants must obtain 10 qualifying points. Points are awarded based on a combination of academic qualifications and relevant professional experience. This bachelor’s degree equates to the maximum four points, and you can obtain an additional one point per year of full-time relevant work in a supervisory, managerial, or scientific capacity.