International Forest Ecosystem Management (IFEM) Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development

Courses are held in German (40%) and English (60%). Participants may write their Bachelor's theses in either language.

The philosophy and primary aim of the BSc degree programme in International Forest Ecosystem Management is to train students to understand forests as ecosystems and to conserve and manage them according to the principles of sustainable forestry. With the competencies, management skills, and international experience that students acquire, they will be able to implement international resolutions and conventions for the protection and sustainable use of natural global forest resources.

Students will acquire a broad range of specialised knowledge about forest ecosystems, as well as in socioeconomics and (project) management. Together with the experience from an optional theoretical study semester and the practical study semester abroad, students will be able to apply these skills worldwide in forest resource management, nature conservation, and the restoration of forest ecosystems. Special emphasis will be placed on issues from, and cooperation with, the Global South.

Application periods for the following winter semester:

• with German university entrance qualification: 1 June to 31 August
• with non-German university entrance qualification: 1 April to 15 July

First and second semesters: cover the basic knowledge of natural sciences, ecology, and socio-economy

Third and fourth semesters: deepening and practical application of important skills in sustainable forest ecosystem management and the conservation of global forest ecosystems, opportunity to complete one theoretical study semester abroad at one of the partner universities of Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE)

Fifth semester: practical study semester abroad

Sixth semester: Bachelor's thesis based on research projects as well as additional modules and complex project work

Practical study semester abroad (fifth semester)

No tuition fees

376 EUR per semester
This includes a semester ticket for public transport in Germany (Deutschlandsemesterticket).

Approximately 1,000 EUR per month

Applicants have to show a higher education entrance qualification equivalent to the appropriate German qualifications.

Applicants are required to prove both English and German skills at a CEFR B2 or equivalent level.

Application periods for the following winter semester:

• with German university entrance qualification: 1 June to 31 August
• with non-German university entrance qualification: 1 April to 15 July

At the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE), a variety of funding opportunities are available to support students’ international mobility in research, study, and internships—including the Erasmus+ and PROMOS programmes. Students can also apply for scholarships through the STIBET programme, which enables them to complete their studies or receive support for their outstanding commitment. In addition, HNEE awards the Deutschlandstipendium to support students with outstanding academic achievements. Various foundations also offer scholarships to support students throughout their academic journey.

There are two options for accommodation in Eberswalde: the student residence halls, managed by the student service (Studentenwerk), or a privately rented room or flat in Eberswalde.

Berlin is 50 kilometres from Eberswalde and can be reached by train in 30 minutes.

Career service

Welcome Centre: information about scholarships, jobs, language courses, the university, and Welcome Centre activities

Horizonte e.V.: association for the integration of foreign students into academic life and society

About 2,300 students from all over the world are registered at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development. At the moment, 11% of the students come from abroad. Our university was founded in 1992. Eberswalde has been one of the major academic centres of forestry studies in Germany since 1830. Several other federal and regional state research institutions are situated on the Forest Campus.

The town of Eberswalde has a population of 43,000 and is located just 50 km north-east of Germany's capital, Berlin. Eberswalde is the county seat of the district of Barnim in the north-east of the state of Brandenburg. The city is also called "Waldstadt" because there are extensive forest areas around the city. In the north of Barnim, you can find the biosphere reserve Schorfheide-Chorin. The town has had 1,468 hectares of woodland since the 14th century with about 1,000 hectares of recreational forest and 271 hectares of nature reserves and ecologically significant habitats.