Bachelor of Forestry Science
BForSc
Duration
4 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Forestry
- Master of Forestry Science
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Duration
4 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Forestry
- Master of Forestry Science
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Overview
The Bachelor of Forestry Science (BForSc) is a professional degree that prepares graduates for managing forest resources by combining core science courses with management, commerce, and technology.
Forestry Science graduates are highly sought after by employers and follow exciting and rewarding career paths.
- Small class sizes create a high-quality learning environment.
- UC has field stations located near Arthur’s Pass and at Kawatiri Westport for forestry teaching and research.
- Participate in an exchange programme with top Forestry schools in Canada and the United States.
- With strong employer links, the majority of graduates are employed before finishing their degree.
Admission to UC with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol.
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
For information on the enrolment process, please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.
Recommended preparation
The BForSc is open to everyone who gains entry to the University. It is recommended that you take NCEA Level 3 biology and maths (including statistics and probability) or the IB/Cambridge equivalent.
If you have not studied Year 13 statistics, you should consider enrolling in a Headstart preparatory course over summer.
Fast-track option
You may be able to fast-track your degree and be exempt from some first-year courses or gain direct entry to the second year if you have excellent NCEA Level 3 results (or equivalent study) in relevant subjects.
Bachelor of Forestry Science – example degree structure
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Zero-points, zero-fees courses
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Compulsory courses
-
Elective courses
-
Courses from Science or other degrees
-
Dissertation for honours students only
Each small block represents a 15-point course. However, some courses may be 30 points or more.
This diagram is an example only – other combinations are possible. For specific course requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Forestry Science.
The BForSc requires a total of 480 points:
- 390 points of compulsory Forestry Science courses (including a 0-point practical work course)
- 60 points of elective Forestry Science courses
- 30 points from Science courses or courses from other degrees.
The first year is made up of 90 points in compulsory courses providing a strong base in pure science, which is necessary for the professional study of Forestry Science.
The following years of the degree is made up of 300 points in compulsory courses. During the third and fourth year, you will also complete 45 points of 400-level elective forestry courses.
You will also complete 90 days of practical work placement in forestry, conversation, or forest industry during the summer months of the degree.
The degree takes 4 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 10 years.
Studying at other Aotearoa New Zealand universities
It is possible to study the first year of the Bachelor of Forestry Science at other Aotearoa New Zealand universities. If you are considering this option you should consult Te Kura Ngahere | School of Forestry for your course selection, which would include FORE102 Forests and Societies or FORE105 Forests of the World (available by distance).
Bachelor of Forestry Science with Honours
If you have a good grade average across your 200 and 300-level courses, you may be invited to undertake honours as part of the fourth year of your degree. Honours involves the completion of the research course FORE414 Dissertation.
See the Regulations for the Bachelor of Forestry Science for more information.
Double degrees
It is possible to combine a Forestry degree with the study of another degree, such as a Bachelor of Science. It is also possible to complete a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a strong Forestry emphasis.
Find out more information about Double degrees.
The Bachelor of Forestry Science follows a closely prescribed structure, with introductory courses in biology and forestry sciences, and advanced courses in forestry and industry.
See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.
Compulsory courses
Year 1
- FORE111 Trees, Forests and the Environment
- FORE131 Trees in the Landscape
- FORE141 Forest Growth and Measurements
- FORE151 Commercial Aspects of Forestry
- BIOL112 Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
- STAT101 Statistics 1
Year 2
- FORE200 BForSc Practical Requirements (0-point course)
- FORE205 Introduction to Forest Engineering
- FORE215 Introduction to Forest Economics
- FORE218 Forestry Biology
- FORE219 Introduction to Silviculture
- FORE222 Biometry 1a
- FORE224 Biometry 1b
- SOIL203 Soil Fertility
Year 3
- FORE307 Plantation Silviculture
- FORE316 Forest Management
- FORE327 Wood Science
- FORE342 Geospatial Science in Forest Monitoring and Management
Year 4
Elective courses
You will also need to complete four elective courses from below in the third and fourth years. It is recommended to complete one in your third year and the other three in your fourth year:
Bachelor of Forestry Science with Honours
Students with a good grade average across their studies will be invited to complete their degree with honours, which adds the course FORE414 Dissertation to their final year.
UC offers a range of options for graduate and postgraduate study.
To update or retrain:
To advance your Forestry Science studies and research:
- Benefit from hands-on learning with 90 days industry work experience.
- Gain skills in forestry management, sustainability, marketing, and research.
- Graduates are working in forest management, conservation, harvesting, wood processing, biosecurity, policy, iwi advisory, and more.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2023 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $7,713 |
| 2022 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $7,507 |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) | Fees (NZD) Excl GST |
| 2022 | 120 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection | $36,950 | $32,130 |
| 2023 | 120 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $38,325 | $33,326 |
Contact us
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Forestry Science.
For study planning help, contact a Student Advisor.
For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see Te Kaupeka Pūhanga | Faculty of Engineering.
For more general information, email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).