Course details

Summary

The Bachelor of Forestry Science (BForSc) is a professional degree offered by the New Zealand School of Forestry. It is an interdisciplinary degree that prepares graduates for managing forest resources by combining the study of core science courses with management, commerce and technologies.

Small classes and field trips make for an engaging and rewarding learning experience at UC. Forestry Science graduates are highly sought after by employers and follow exciting and rewarding career paths.

Recommended preparation

The BForSc is open to all students who gain entry to the University. It is recommended that prospective students take NCEA Level 3 biology and maths (including statistics and probability) - or the IB/Cambridge equivalent. If you have not studied Year 12 chemistry or Year 13 statistics, or if you feel you have a weak background in these subjects, you should consider enrolling in a Headstart preparatory course over summer.

Fast-track option

You may be able to fast-track your degree and gain direct entry to the second year if you have excellent Year 13 results or a New Zealand Certificate in Science with outstanding merit. It is possible to gain exemption for parts of the Forestry Examinations with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) or a New Zealand Diploma in Forestry with outstanding merit.

Qualification structure and duration

The BForSc requires a total of 480 points over four years. The first year provides a substantial base in pure science which is necessary for the professional study of Forestry Science.

Bachelor of Forestry Science with Honours

If you have a good grade average across 200 and 300-level courses you may be invited to undertake honours as part of the fourth year of your degree. Honours involve the completion of a research course FORE 414 Dissertation.

Double Degrees

It is possible to combine a Forestry degree with the study of another degree, such as a Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Science. Normally you can complete the two degrees in five years, but some degree combinations may take longer. It is also possible to complete a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a strong Forestry emphasis.

Further study

The School of Forestry offers a range of options for graduate and postgraduate study.

For those graduates wishing to update or retrain:

• Graduate Diploma in Forestry
• Postgraduate Diploma in Forestry

For those who wish to advance their Forestry Science studies and research:

• Master of Forestry Science
• Doctor of Philosophy

Career opportunities

UC students benefit from New Zealand Institute of Forestry meetings, lectures on campus and summer work opportunities. Some of the biggest companies in New Zealand hire UC graduates and many obtain work overseas.

Possible careers include forest management (plantation and native forests), conservation, harvesting, wood processing, planning, policy, forest science, timber appraisal, biosecurity, forest economics, and sustainability and land management.

Entry criteria

Admission to UC with University Entrance, or equivalent, is required to enrol for a Bachelor's degree. Applicants must have completed New Zealand University Entrance through NCEA; or Cambridge International Examinations (CIE); or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) or any other equivalent overseas qualification.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.