Forestry and Arboriculture

Extended Diploma Level 3

Study mode Full time

Location Moulton

Level Level 3

Start date Sep 2023

Duration 2 years

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Do you have a keen interest in trees and the natural world and also a head for heights? Our Level 3 Extended Diploma in Arboriculture will provide you with the skills of how to manage, cultivate and care for trees and shrubs.

Our Arboriculture students have access to an exciting range of specialist resources at the College. With over 440 hectares of estate including woodland, large specimen trees and ornamental shrubs our fully equipped workshops have a range of machinery including brushwood chippers, chainsaws, mobile elevated, platforms and tree climbing ropes and harnesses.

Guided by our expert staff and guest lecturers you’ll gain invaluable practical experience combined with theory-based learning.

Guided by our expert lecturers you will learn about urban forestry, woodland tree management, recreation and applied tree science. Through practical and theoretical based learning you will further your understanding of advanced tree felling, the diagnosis and treatment of tree diseases as well as tree climbing and aerial pruning.

In the first year of your study programme you will focus on chainsaw maintenance, cross-cutting and felling of small trees. In the second year you will progress on to aerial tree operations, including aerial tree rescue and chainsaw from a rope and harness.

This is a full time course taking place on three days per week from 9.00am - 4:30pm. There will be a mix of practical and theoretical work which are split into 1 hour - 1.45 hour lessons. You will have regular breaks including a lunch break.

Vocational and professional qualifications are taught through college based theory and practical lessons with further learning and understanding developed via directed self-study. Assessment consists of internally set coursework and assignments, although some professional and vocational qualifications may require the achievement of externally set assessments.

In the first year you will complete a major project involving the writing of a forestry management plan and completion of the practical exercises that support that plan.
In the second year your focus will shift to urban forestry and tree management. Your second year project will based on managing trees in the urban environment.

You could go on to study a degree in woodland conservation, woodland management or forestry recreation. Alternatively, you could progress into employment as a tree surgeon, groundsman, tree inspector, woodland surveyor, arboriculture officer, environmental woodland manager, production arborist or estate worker.

Five GCSEs at grade 9-4 (A*-C), including English and maths.

This course is equally suitable for those wishing to enter roles in forest and woodland management and those looking for an arboriculture career path. Previous students have successfully progressed on to study at university level and in to employment.