Environment

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

• forestry
• arboriculture
• countryside management
• forest management
• woodland ecology and conservation

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

College

You could do a course at an agricultural college to learn some of the skills and knowledge you need.

Relevant subjects include:

• Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Arboriculture
• Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture
• T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to T levels
• funding advice
• search for agricultural colleges
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

The following apprenticeships may help you get into this role:

• intermediate arborist
• intermediate forest operative
• higher arboriculturist
• professional arboriculturist degree apprenticeship

These apprenticeships typically take 24 to 30 months to complete as a mix on the job learning and some study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Work

You could join an organisation as an assistant arboricultural officer. You'll need some qualifications or experience, for example as a tree surgeon or groundworker.

Volunteering and work experience

You may find it useful when applying for jobs if you have some relevant work experience. You can get this through working with local authority departments, landscaping firms, tree surgeons and forestry contractors.

You can also find volunteering opportunities with conservation bodies like Trees for Cities, The Tree Council and the Woodland Trust.

Direct application

You could apply directly to become an arboricultural officer.

You'll usually need:

• experience of working in a related job, like an arboricultural assistant, tree surgeon, ecologist or landscape architect
• a nationally recognised arboricultural qualification like the Level 4 Certificate in Arboriculture

Other routes

If you have completed a degree in a relevant subject, you can apply for a graduate training scheme with Forestry England.

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You could apply for membership of the The Institute of Chartered Foresters.

Further information

You can find out more about working in arboriculture from The Arboricultural Association and the Royal Forestry Society.

With experience, you could:manage a team of arboricultural officers and co-ordinate work with outside contractors; work as a consultant, advising organisations on tree management, conservation and safety; find teaching opportunities with training providers who offer courses in arboriculture