I went to merrest wood last year to do FD countryside which I found ok. Glad I done it but I doubt I would do it again.
It will be hard work for you going strait into the ND as there is alot of things to know, also alot of the other students will have done the first diploma and gained knoledge.
Get revising on your tree species and latin names, it wil give you a good head start.
atb,
HJ