. "I came to college to study for an SNC in Forestry, and continued on to pass an HND in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry. By taking advantage of the flexible learning programme I was able to do additional units, which allowed me to go on to gain a BSc in Forestry and Conservation. The decision to go back to full-time education was not an easy one for me, as I am severely dyslexic. But with the understanding and help of the well-trained staff at Inverness College I was able to show my full potential. I even managed to pick up a couple of awards on the way." HUGH WILSON

. ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) Information Package 2008-2009 THE INSTITUTION ECTS COORDINATOR & CONTACT ACADEMIC CALENDAR GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SCOTTISH SCHOOL OF FORESTRY Programme Structure Locations Registration of Exchange Students GENERAL PRACTICAL INFORMATION Visa and Work Permit Upon Arrival Living Expenses Accommodation Health Care and Insurance Vaccination DAILY LIFE INFORMATION Opening a Bank Account Money Exchange Cash Public Transportation in the SSF Area Telephone and Mail Buying Food Shopping THE INSTITUTION Scottish School of Forestry Inverness College 3 Longman Road Inverness Tel:  +44 1463 273600 Fax:  +44 1463 792497 ECTS COORDINATOR & CONTACT Mr John Christison Scottish School of Forestry Viewhill INVERNESS IV2 5EA UNITED KINGDOM Tel:  +44 1463 273601 Fax: +44 1463 792497 E-mail: John.Christison@inverness.uhi.ac.uk ACADEMIC CALENDAR (Provisional) The academic year is divided into two semesters for the BSc programme (Year 4): Semester 1 – 1^st September 2008 to 19^th December 2009. Exam week – week of 15^th December 2008 (provisional) Holiday week – in October 2008 Semester 2 – 26^th January 2009 to end of May 2009. Exam week end of May 2003 Holiday - 2 weeks over Easter 2009 NB: Year 3 is the HND study level and is split into 3 x 12 week trimesters from 1^st September 2008 to 26^th June 2009. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SCOTTISH SCHOOL OF FORESTRY The Scottish School of Forestry as part of Inverness College UHI is the only institution in Scotland offering a broad range of forestry and arboriculture courses from basic skills training through to degree level.  The school was founded in 1972. Courses Certificate in Forestry Certificate in Conservation Certificate in Land Based Skills Higher National Certificate Forestry Higher National Diploma Forestry Higher National Certificate Arboriculture & Urban Forestry Higher National Diploma Arboriculture & Urban Forestry BSc Sustainable Forest Management (validated by Open University for UHI Millennium Institute) Various skills courses Student Numbers Approximately 140 full time. Staff 9 forestry lecturers & other lecturers 1 technician 1 administrator 1 chef Programme Structure The extent of the HND programmes are defined in credit units, so that the completion of an HND in Forestry requires 34 credits, which takes 3 years, one credit corresponds to approximately 40 hours of full time study. The programme is arranged in a modular system and includes 1 year industrial sandwich work placement. The HND Arboriculture and Urban Forestry is a 2 year 30 credit programme and does not include a sandwich programme. The BSc Sustainable Forest Management is designed as an additional year, building on the HND in Forestry or the HND Arboriculture and Urban Forestry and developing conservation management for woodland areas. Locations The City of Inverness is known as the capital of the Highlands.  A seaport and communication centre for northern Scotland. The population of the Highlands is approximately 205,000 with Inverness and surrounding area claiming about 60,000 inhabitants. The countryside is therefore quite sparsely populated as it occupies almost half of the area of Scotland but has a very small share of Scotland’s 5.4 million population. The Scottish School of Forestry is located in a forest campus some 10km east of Inverness near the historic Culloden Battlefield (1746). Registration of Exchange Students The enrolment of exchange students is governed by bilateral agreements between institutions participating in the exchange schemes partnership.  Separate applications for short-term studies, i.e. to attend courses at Scottish School of Forestry, Inverness College UHI can be considered at all times. Before starting the studies the student has to register at the School.  For registration the student needs: Application forms Passport GENERAL PRACTICAL INFORMATION Visa and Work Permit Students from European Union countries do not require a visa or work permit.  Other nationals should check with the British Embassy in your home country whether you need a visa or not, a student visa may be all that is needed. Upon Arrival You can travel to Inverness by train, air or bus from most major cities in Britain. You can elect to be met on arrival at Inverness by your peer tutor and/or the international coordinator with whom you have been in contact earlier. Living Expenses Students admitted through international exchange programmes are exempt from tuition or other fees, but they still have to pay the expenses of their travel to Inverness, food, accommodation, clothing and social activities.  Monthly costs for students are estimated to be: Accommodation £360 (Youth Hostel) (per month) Lunch   £2.50 (per day) Self catering   £300 (per month) Other expenses £50 This estimate does not include social activities, travel or clothing. Accomodation Accommodation for students moving within organised exchange programmes (e.g. ERASMUS, LEONARDO, NORDPLUS) will be arranged according to the regulations of the programme in question, in most cases by the co-ordinator at the SSF.  Inexpensive Youth Hostel bed and breakfast accommodation may be available in Inverness.  Accommodation in private houses or flats may also be available but has to be arranged by the student. Health Care and Insurances It is recommended that you register with the local doctor and dentist on arrival: Culloden Medical Practice. Tel: +44 1463 793400 Students from EU countries need an E111 form, proving that they are covered by the health care system of their own country.  They will then be entitled to the same health care benefits as Finnish citizens. We recommend that you take out travel insurance before leaving for your country as you are responsible for your own accident and property insurance. Vaccination There are usually no vaccination requirements.  NOTE!  If you are coming to Inverness as an industrial trainee discuss possible vaccination requirements with your co-ordinator. DAILY LIFE INFORMATION Opening a Bank Account You are advised to open a bank account as soon as you arrive.  Banking hours vary slightly but are normally 9.30 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday.  You will be given a bank card which is accepted by all the automatic banking machines (you can withdraw money and pay bills in this way). Inverness College UHI, Client Services, will assist you in this. Money Exchange Money can be changed in any bank and at some travel agents.  It is advisable to change a large amount at a time to reduce service charges.  The rates of exchange may vary slightly from bank to bank. Cash machine ATMs are also plentiful. Cash All major international credit cards are accepted throughout Britain, but it is advisable to have British currency available on your arrival. Britain is not a euro zone country. Public Transportation in the Inverness Area Bus A college minibus leaves at 08.45 to take forestry students to the SSF from the Longman Building of Inverness College and returns them at 17.00 There is a public bus service, the No. 1 bus leaves from the main Post Office, Queensgate in the town every 20 minutes.  It terminates in Balloch leaving about a 400m walk to the forestry school, up the hill and first right.  The cost is about £1.60 per return trip.      Taxi To call a taxi in Inverness dial 222222, 221111, 239777, 222900 or 220222. Telephone and Mail The emergency numbers in Britain are: Police, Fire, Ambulance, Coastguard 999 International calls Codes can be found on the first few pages of the telephone directory.  When calling from Britain, dial: 00 (international code) Country code Area code (drop the prefix 0) Phone number When calling to Britain from abroad, dial: International code 44 (country code) Area code (drop the prefix 0) Phone number Mail The main Post Office is located at Queensgate, Tel 0345 223344 (operator), open Monday - Saturday 09.00 - 17.00. Stamps can be bought at post offices, newsagents and supermarkets. Buying Food Grocery stores are open Mon - Sat 08.00 - 18.00.  Supermarkets are usually open Mon - Sat 07.00 - 20.00 and Sun 09.00 - 18.00, some are open 24 hours.  Many shops are open on Sundays.  Some vehicle filling stations are open all night every day and sell certain basic foodstuffs such as bread, butter, cheese etc. Shopping Clothes Clothes can be bought from supermarkets (inexpensive), department stores (moderate) and boutiques (expensive).  The main shopping areas are in the centre of Inverness.  Students are recommended to bring with them warm clothing such as sweaters, insulated jackets or thick coats.  Warm, waterproof footwear is also needed. Books Books and stationery can be obtained from a variety of bookshops in Inverness.