Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture (Arboriculture Pathway)

*This course is only open to students aged 19 or older and could be studied free as part of the government's National Skills Fund.*

Arboriculture is the study of tree management. An arborist usually works with individual trees in the environment to make sure they are healthy, safe and well managed. They may be self employed tree surgeons or work for large companies like Amey who employ teams of arborists to maintain trees on construction sites, around the road and rail network and around electricity pylons.
This industry is much bigger than most people think!

Did you know.... In 2018, there were around 20,900 workers engaged in arboricultural activities and made £709 million in contributions to UK GDP! (RHS)

As part of their course, our learners get the opportunity to compete in national pole climbing competitions. We have trained many a champion pole climber!

• Principles of health and safety
• Land based industry machinery operations
• Plant and soil science
• Estate skills
• Tree felling and chainsaw use
• Identification, planting, establishment and aftercare of trees and arboriculture
• Principles and identification of pests, diseases and disorders of trees
• Urban and community forestry projects
• Woodland habitat management
• Principles of tree science
• Tree Climbing and aerial tree works operations
• Groundsman duties

This course is free for adults who qualify for funding via The National Skills Fund.
This government fund aims to help adults to gain the skills that are most sought by employers. This will help them improve their job prospects, and support economic recovery.

We have had consistently high progression to employment over many years for learners successfully completing this course. They go on to work for a mix of small business, self employment and to work for large employers.

The types of job you could get include:
• Forestry contractor/operator
• Forest ranger
• Tree worker (ground)
• Tree worker (aerial)
• Contractor
• Climber

This qualification will give you UCAS points. You could choose to progress to a range of university university degrees in arboriculture, land & estate management and forestry /woodland management.

4 x GCSEs at grade 4 or above which must include either maths or English.
OR
Level 2 Diploma in a land based subject achieved at Merit AND either maths or English at GCSE grade (4) with the other GCSE at grade 3.

Level 2 Functional Skills is accepted as an alternative to GCSE.

*Applications from adult learners who do not meet the entry requirements, but who have previous experience will be considered on an individual basis.

Practical Experience:
You do not need any previous practical experience to apply for this course, however due to the physical nature of the practical assessments, you must be able to safely achieve the practical elements of the course without assistance.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

East Durham College's Houghall Campus is committed to providing a supportive and welcoming environment for all our students. The campus, some of which is over 80 years old, has seen over £40m invested in new facilities over recent years. However, there are still some aspects of the site which are not fully accessible and would cause an issue for those with limited mobility or wheelchair users and due to the nature of the site, adjustments may not always be reasonable at this stage. The College is committed to further investment and improvements of the site, as we work towards ensuring the campus is as accessible as possible. If you have limited mobility or are a wheelchair user and wish to undertake a course at the Houghall Campus, please contact Student Services on 0191 375 4710 in the first instance to discuss your needs and options.

To achieve this qualification you must study for 2 years. To gain this qualification, candidates will successfully achieve the following assessments:

• Three externally set, externally moderated assignments
• Two externally set, externally marked exams, sat under examination conditions
• 150 hours Industry Placement
• Specialist unit assignments

September 2025

The course is taught over 2 years. Approximately 50% of your time will be spent in the classroom with the rest being spent developing practical skills.