Why Study Bachelor of Science in Forestry at SETU

Some key reasons why this programme is valuable, especially for international students:

1. Accreditation & Professional Recognition: The BSc in Forestry is accredited by the Society of Irish Foresters. Graduates are eligible to apply to the Forest Service register of Approved Foresters.

2. Green Cert equivalence: Graduates are deemed to have achieved the equivalent of the Green Cert for Stamp Duty exemption purposes.

3. Strong Practical / Fieldwork Component: The course includes lots of field work, field trips, mapping, forest operations, and a semester-long placement.

4. Good Employment Links: Graduates may work with state bodies like Coillte, Teagasc, the Forest Service, environmental NGOs, private forestry companies, wood processing, sawmills, etc.

5. Scholarships & Financial Support: There are scholarships (like Coillte Forestry Scholarship) specifically for forestry students, which help with fees + paid summer internships.

6. Flexibility & Progression: You can exit after 3 years with Level 7 (ordinary degree) or do an add-on Level 8 honours year (“Land Management in Forestry”) to get the honours degree.

 

Programme Details & Structure

Feature	Details
Level of study / Award	Level 7 (NFQ) – BSc in Forestry (Ordinary degree) for 3 years; plus there is an add-on Level 8 honours year (“BSc (Hons) in Land Management in Forestry”) for those completing a Level 7 or equivalent.
Duration	3 years full-time for the Level 7 Forestry degree. The Level 8 add-on year is 1 additional year.
Credit / Points	The ordinary degree (3 years) aligns with Irish standards (approximate ECTS ~180). (Exact ECTS not always public but typical for a 3-year NFQ Level 7).
Campus Location	Primarily at Waterford campus (Cork Road, Waterford) for the forestry programme.
Mode of Learning	On-campus, face-to-face for most modules; heavy fieldwork, field trips, industry placement. Some modules may include ICT/software/lab elements. Not primarily online.
Intake Date	Main intake is September (Autumn). International students must align with CAO / SETU timelines.
Entry Criteria	• Completion of secondary school / Leaving Certificate equivalent with good grades in English (or Irish) and Mathematics. Usually at least O6/H7 level in 5 subjects including English/Irish & Maths.    • CAO code SE505 for the Level 7 Forestry.    • For honours add-on (Level 8), you need to have completed a relevant Level 7 degree in Forestry or equivalent.    • English proficiency: international applicants must satisfy SETU’s English requirements (often IELTS etc.).
Subjects / Topics / Programme Structure	The curriculum includes the following key modules: Year 1: Plant Biology; Forest Establishment; Mechanisation & Safety; Dendrology; Mathematics for Forestry; Communication Skills & Computer Applications; Forest Surveying & Mapping; Fundamentals of Forestry; Wood Science; Earth Science; ICT for Forestry; Chemistry for Land Scientists.  Year 2: Timber Technology; Forest Mensuration; Forest Protection; Forest Soils; Forestry & the Environment; Applied GIS; plus a semester work placement.  Year 3: Forest Economics; Plantation Silviculture; Sustainable Forest Management; Commercial Forestry Practices; Principles of Silviculture; Forest Engineering; Forest Inventory; Small Enterprise Management; Forest Harvesting; Forest Management Plan project.
Specialisations / Disciplines	While the programme is broadly in Forestry, students gain exposure to multiple sub-areas: silviculture, forest protection, forest soils, inventory, forest economics, GIS, wood science, engineering aspects, etc. There is some elective choice (especially in Level 8 add-on) for topics like marketing, biodiversity, pest management etc.

 

Career Outcomes / Opportunities after Graduation

Graduates from the Forestry programmes at SETU have multiple possible career paths:

• Forest Manager / Forester (private or public sector)

• Approved Forester under Forest Service regulation

• Positions in state bodies (like Coillte, Forest Service, Teagasc)

• Forestry contractor roles (harvesting, planting, survey)

• GIS / Forest Inventory / Surveying specialists

• Wood & timber industry (processing, sales, planning)

• Conservation and environmental management roles

• Woodland consultancy, land use planning

• Research / postgraduate study (MSc, etc.), especially after completing Level 8 or equivalent