Forestry is the discipline that studies forests. It also involves the management of forest lands and their natural resources.
Studying forestry is a way to understand and improve resource management, especially as forests and natural resources face growing pressure from climate change, land-use change, and rising demand.
If you’re interested in studying this important field, it may be worth looking abroad. Below are seven strong countries to consider for forestry studies.
Top Countries to Study Forestry
1. China
Although China is a large, industrialized country, it still has extensive forested land. According to World Bank data sourced from FAO, forests covered about 24.0% of China’s land area in 2023, showing a clear increase from 1990 levels.
Reforestation, forest conservation, and sustainable forest management are among the topics international students may encounter in Chinese universities. The country hosts forestry-focused institutions, making China one of the strong options for studying forestry.
One example is Beijing Forestry University, whose history traces back to the Forestry Section of the Agriculture Department of the former Imperial University of Peking. Another relevant institution is Central South University of Forestry and Technology, a forestry-featured university in Hunan Province. Other specialized institutions include Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Nanjing Forestry University, Northwest A&F University, Northeast Forestry University, Southwest Forestry University, and Zhejiang A&F University.
Tuition in China is often relatively affordable, though fees vary by university and program. At Beijing Forestry University, self-financing international undergraduate tuition is listed at RMB 24,800 per year, while English-taught international master’s programs in Forestry and Forest Engineering are listed at RMB 39,000 per year.
2. United States of America
The United States is one of the five countries with the largest forest areas in the world. This vast forest estate, combined with strong universities, makes it a popular destination for forestry and natural resources students.
Students have many options to choose from. In addition to forestry programs, universities may offer related fields such as forest engineering, renewable materials, natural resources, environmental science, and recreation or tourism management.
For students interested in rankings, the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for Agriculture & Forestry list the University of California, Davis as the top US institution and second globally. Other strong US options include Cornell University, Purdue University, Oregon State University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
Many American schools also offer scholarships. At Oregon State University, for example, non-resident first-year students may be considered for the Provost Scholarship, and eligible students may also apply for awards such as the Diversity Achievement Scholarship or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Scholarship.
3. Russia
As the largest country in the world, Russia has an exceptional forestry context. Forests cover nearly half of the country’s land area, and Russia remains the country with the largest forest area globally. These forests provide practical learning opportunities for students who wish to study forestry and forest management.
Like China, Russia has specialized forestry education options. The former Moscow State Forest University is now connected with Bauman Moscow State Technical University through its Mytishchi Branch, which offers forestry and wood-processing-related training.
Another major option is Saint Petersburg State Forest Technical University, one of Russia’s oldest forestry universities. Students may also consider Saint Petersburg State University, which offers a graduate program in Forest Geography and Sustainable Forest Management.
4. South Korea
While South Korea is a modern, technology-driven country, much of its landscape remains forested. Forest lovers can find broadleaf, conifer, and mixed forests, and World Bank data shows that forests covered about 64.1% of South Korea’s land area in 2023. Given these resources, South Korea is a strong country to consider for forestry studies.
Leading the charge is Seoul National University (SNU), one of the country’s leading institutions. It has a specialized Department of Forest Sciences, where students can study Forest Environmental Science or Environmental Materials Science.
At SNU, students may also find international exchange opportunities. The Department of Forest Sciences notes short exchange programs with Hokkaido University in Japan and Bogor Agricultural University in Indonesia.
A forestry degree from a strong South Korean university can lead to career paths in teaching, research, conservation, forest management, and environmental materials.
5. Belgium
- Best School/s: Ghent University | UC Louvain
- Reasons: Strong universities, specialized forest and nature programs, and relatively affordable tuition for eligible students
About 22.6% of Belgium’s land area was forested in 2023. Belgium’s regional governments also play an important role in forest and environmental management.
This makes Belgium a good candidate for forestry-related studies. Students can consider institutions such as UC Louvain and Ghent University.
At Ghent University, the Department of Environment coordinates programs such as Forest and Nature Management and Land and Water Management within Bioscience Engineering.
Forest and Nature Management focuses on sustainable use and integrated forest and nature management.
Land and Water Management covers areas such as soil science, water management, and environmental systems.
Belgium can also offer good value for eligible students, but tuition depends on the student’s fee category and program. At Ghent University’s Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, the 2026–2027 non-EEA fee for a 60-credit master’s year is listed at EUR 7,079.40 under tariff B, while some categories of students pay the EEA-level fee.
6. Netherlands
While only about 11.1% of the Netherlands was forested in 2023, the country still offers useful study settings for students interested in forest and nature management.
Students can enjoy forested sights at places such as Hoge Veluwe National Park and Veluwezoom National Park while studying at well-regarded green institutions.
In the Netherlands, two prime choices for forestry-related education are Wageningen University and Research and Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences.
Wageningen is ranked first in the world for Agriculture & Forestry in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. Students interested in forestry can look into its Forest and Nature Conservation program.
Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences is another important applied option. The university has long been active in forest and nature management education, and it is launching a two-year Dutch-language Associate degree in Forest and Nature Management in September 2026.
7. United Kingdom
The UK is home to beautiful forests, including the New Forest in Hampshire and the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire. These are just some of the places where students can connect classroom learning with real-world forestry contexts.
Apart from these green spaces, the UK has strong institutions offering forestry-related studies. One example is the University of Cumbria, home to the National School of Forestry. It offers programs such as BSc Forest Management and BSc Woodland Ecology and Conservation.
UK schools such as Cumbria emphasize practical experience, fieldwork, professional skills, and links with forestry organizations. Bangor University is another major option, offering forestry and conservation-related programs, including Conservation with Forestry.
When checking employment outcomes, students should use the current UK Graduate Outcomes system, which reports graduate activity around 15 months after graduation, rather than older six-month graduate-employment statistics.
We hope this article on the best countries to study forestry was informative and insightful. If you’re interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students!
