It is possible to complete the Master's programme entirely in English as well as through a combination of German and English modules.
Beginning: mid-October
Duration: four semester = two years
This programme is a full time programme.
15 May for the following winter semester
The tuition fees in Baden-Württemberg apply only to non-EU students (1,500 EUR per semester).
Forests play an important role in sustaining human and other biological communities. The MSc course in Forest Sciences focuses on the sustainable use of forested landscapes. On the one hand, forests provide wood and need to be managed economically, on the other hand, wildlife protection, biodiversity conservation and other ecosystem services must also be considered. Drawing on the strength and international experience of the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, students will acquire the knowledge, methods and skills that are essential for understanding and managing forested landscapes in order to balance these different and sometimes opposing values.
Students can choose one of three majors. Two are in English language and one in German:
"International Forestry" focuses on the international dimensions of forestry and offers competencies for graduates aiming to work in a range of fields to tackle the complex issues associated with the sustainable management of forests.
This major aims to provide students with an overview of global forest resources and their use. A profound understanding of different forest ecosystem types and management systems is conveyed. Students will acquire the ability to analyse and assess the institutions and processes influencing forests & forestry from local to global levels and will learn key competencies for the analysis and management of forestry systems.
"Forest Ecology Research" focuses on research: Forests are highly diverse ecosystems that act as habitats for various organisms, recreation areas for humans, provide timber and other resources and act as carbon sinks. At the same time, they are challenged by rapid climate change, emerging pests and diseases as well as other anthropogenic influences. While forests are threatened, there is a lack of scientists that are specifically trained to study organismal interactions in these ecosystems with modern methods. They are needed to help understand how our forests can respond to the challenges mentioned. In the focus area of “Forest Ecology Research”, students will learn state-of-the-art research techniques to address pressing questions in forest ecosystems – unravelling interactions between trees with their biotic and abiotic environment by incorporating all scales from the molecular to the landscape level.
The winter semester is taught in the familiar semester mode, and the summer semester is taught in three-week blocks, which provides more room for (multi-day) excursions. Three modules are core modules that are taken together by all students in the programme. The other modules are specific to the chosen profile line. Some modules are shared between two or more profile lines.
A module usually comprises lectures, practicals, tutorials, preparation, reading, independent learning and assessment.
Students earn five ECTS credits upon successful completion of each module. In total, 120 credits are required. Included in this is an internship of at least seven weeks (10 ECTS) and a Master's thesis of six months (30 ECTS).
In addition to conveying specialist knowledge, students are trained to handle scientific methods and solve management problems with confidence. The acquisition of key qualifications is supported through a wide range of teaching and learning techniques.
In view of the requirements of the career market, particular emphasis is placed on the acquisition of:
A seven-week internship is an obligatory part of the programme (10 ECTS).
The tuition fees in Baden-Württemberg apply only to non-EU students (1,500 EUR per semester).
180 EUR per semester:
Participants must ensure that sufficient funding is available to finance their participation in a course of study. The average cost of living in Freiburg for one month is currently approx. 850 EUR to 1,000 EUR.
Some details:
www.studium.uni-freiburg.de/en/counseling/welcome-guide-for-international-students/finance
Above-average BSc degree or equivalent in forestry, ecology, natural resources management, biology, botany, or a related field with a final grade of 2.5 or higher
Applicants must provide English language skills on level C1 according to the CEFR: TOEFL Internet-based 100, IELTS band 7, Pearson Academic score 76, Cambridge Advanced Certificate of English, or equivalent tests.
15 May for the following winter semester
https://campus.uni-freiburg.de/qisserver/pages/cs/sys/portal/hisinoneStartPage.faces
As a student, you are allowed to work up to 120 days per year and 85 hours per month. A limited number of positions as student research assistants or tutors are available in the department.
As Freiburg is an attractive city, finding a suitable and affordable place to live can take a little while. The University of Freiburg offers all newly enrolled international students the possibility to apply for student housing via the International Office. In addition to these dormitories, which are run by the Studierendenwerk Freiburg (www.swfr.de/en), several independent residence halls are listed on the university website (http://www.housing.uni-freiburg.de). The Studierendenwerk Freiburg and the International Office also offer a list of available private rooms.
The Central Academic Advising Office provides a career advisory service for students about to graduate or recent graduates trying to decide what to do next. “Strategic career planning” and internship advice are only two examples of the career services the University of Freiburg offers to its students.
https://www.studium.uni-freiburg.de/en/counseling/welcome-guide-for-international-students
The University of Freiburg was founded in 1457 as a classical comprehensive university, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Germany. Awarded for its excellence in both research and teaching, the university also boasts a long history, with numerous Nobel laureates. Brilliant scholars and creative thinking distinguish it today as a modern, top-notch university, well equipped for the challenges of the 21st century. As an organisation with around 24,500 students, 288 degree programmes, and 6,536 employees (2021), the University of Freiburg is committed to family friendliness, equal opportunities, and environmental consciousness in its day-to-day operations. The structure of the university is multifaceted, ranging from 11 academic faculties – from the humanities and the social and natural sciences all the way to engineering – to 19 research centres. This goes to show that we are a dynamic, large-scale institution with a diverse educational offering. As studies, research, and continuing education are all an integral part of this offering, we maintain a close relationship with the city and the region as well as with the international academic community. Bilateral partnerships, research projects, joint study courses and memberships in international networks such as the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and of EUCOR – The European Campus are examples of the university's strong transnational relations. All our students, including those from abroad, can take courses at the Universities of Basel (Switzerland) and Strasbourg (France) without having to enrol. Via EUCOR, The European Campus mobility grant, they also receive allowances for travel expenses to their partner institutions.
Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in south-western Germany on the edge of the Black Forest. Freiburg was founded by Konrad and Duke Bertold III of Zähringen in 1120 as a free market town – hence its name, which translates to "free town". Freiburg holds a central position in Europe at the trijunction of Switzerland, France, and Germany, and is the city with the most hours of sunshine per year in Germany. It is nestled in one of the oldest cultural landscapes north of the Alps, a location which has had an unmistakable influence on the town. The university plays an essential part in the quality of life in Freiburg; both in the academic sphere and in the perception of the general public, the activities of the university are of central importance. Since its founding, teaching, learning and research have formed an indivisible whole.
With approx. 230,000 inhabitants, Freiburg has a friendly size, offering the safe surroundings of a smaller city whilst at the same time excelling in terms of culture, shopping and infrastructure. Both the inhabitants and the city government of Freiburg attach great importance to ecological values and sustainable development. This "green city" atmosphere influences many aspects of city life – from the numerous cyclists on the streets to cutting-edge solar energy research. Surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of the Black Forest and the wine-growing regions of the Rhine Valley, Freiburg is a popular destination for tourism and leisure activities.
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