Course summary

The 2019 scholarship deadline has now passed. Please check the webpage in February 2020 to see if we have scholarships for September 2020 entry available. The School of Natural Sciences offers a postgraduate distance-learning programme in Tropical Forestry available to mature students from across the globe. It is also available to international students who have been awarded a scholarship by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). We have secured CSC scholarships for 2019 entry. Up to 10 scholarships are available for applicants from the following developing commonwealth countries: Ghana, Guyana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Papua New Guinea, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. The scholarships are worth £18,000 to cover tuition fees, plus a generous bursary to enable scholars to attend a two-week study tour scheduled to be held overseas in July/August 2021. A small study grant is also available to help scholars with study costs associated with distance learning (e.g. internet usage). The current scholarships are only available for entrants who are able to start the programme in September 2019. MSc Tropical Forestry is a part-time programme that is completed in three years. Taught modules make up the first two years, while the third year is dedicated to the final dissertation project. The programme builds on the existing links and strengths of the highly successful forestry masters and PhD programmes in the School of Natural Sciences: MSc Environmental Forestry, MSc Agroforestry, MSc Sustainable Forest Management (SUFONAMA), MSc Sustainable Tropical Forestry (SUTROFOR) and Forest and Nature for Society (FONASO). The SUFONAMA, SUTROFOR and FONASO programmes were developed by European Masters consortiums and funded by the EU Erasmus Mundus programme. The programme is designed to provide students with an enriching education in the interesting and complex subject of tropical forestry. Students gain an understanding of the scientific, academic, and practical principles that underpin forest conservation, protection and management, forest ecosystem function, and the interrelationships between government, industry and communities’ forests and associated land-use. Suitable applicants include individuals working in forestry/forestry-related industries/natural resource management, particularly in the fields of planning, regulation, policy, monitoring and environmental protection. The course is also suited to individuals working in forestry education who wish to further their knowledge and expertise in order to improve their teaching. The programme, which is accredited by the Institute of Chartered Foresters in the UK, is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to become professionals working in tropical forestry-related sectors. Key modules cover social issues in forest management, agroforestry systems and practices, sustainable use of non-timber forest products, and silviculture. Modules in inventory, assessment and monitoring explore issues surrounding the sustainable management of global forest resources. The programme also includes a compulsory two-week study tour to a country with notable tropical forest resources in July/August 2021.