Choosing forestry studies it’s not stated that they have to take place only in our native country. Leading forestry faculties have in their offer also international courses, which provide a wide variety of specializations in the field of forestry. In this post I would like to outline some possibilities which are available in Europe.

Forest Information Technology (M.Sc.)

“Forest Information Technology” (FIT) is a joint program between Faculty of Forest and Environment at University of Sustainable Development in Eberswalde (Germany) and Faculty of Forestry at Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW (Poland). Teaching takes place at both locations. The goal of the program is to contribute to environmental problem solving by training professionals to apply information technology approaches. This is achieved by providing scientific methods and tools required for collecting, processing and communicating environmental data with emphasis on forest ecosystems and environmental problems. The Master Study Program includes advanced topics of environmental information processing and modern forest ecosystem research. The mandatory part of the program is characterized by a large amount of information technology subjects and a concentration on selected forest and landscape ecological subjects. A broad range of elective courses at both universities offers different specialization directions. First semester takes place in Eberswalde (Germany), second semester is in Warsaw (Poland), and the third and fourth students can choose between those two locations. HNE Eberswalde offers specializations more related with IT, whereas SGGW in Warsaw offers courses related with forestry. Fourth semester includes enough time to complete three months internship.

Euroforester (M.Sc.)

“Euroforester” is a master course offered by Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The program focuses on sustainable forestry in the Baltic Sea region. Countries in the region share comparable natural conditions, but vary markedly in forestry practices and traditions. The program starts with a one-year course package with emphases on silviculture, ecology, planning and policy. Conifer dominated forestry is the focus of the 1st course, for which the influence of silviculture on forest development is examined in depth at the stand level. The 2nd course scales up to the estate level, addressing the principles and practices of sustainable forest management. Students prepare long-term forest management plans for a large estate in the region. The 3rd course addresses forest policy at national, regional and global levels. A great deal of attention is given to comparative policy analyses among the home countries of the participating students. The ecology and usage of broadleaved forests are the themes in the 4th course. The impact of modern forestry on biodiversity is discussed together with strategies for preserving a rich flora and fauna within production forests. During the second year students work with their Master’s thesis and attend elective courses at any partner faculties.

Management of fish and wildlife populations (M.Sc.)

This course is also offered by Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The program covers different aspects of the management and conservation of fish and wildlife, including scientific theory and methods, as well as relevant laws and conventions at the international level. It includes obligatory courses, a Master’s thesis and elective courses. The program is offered by the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, where approximately 60 researchers and PhD students actively conduct research in the fields of fish and wildlife management, human dimensions, and biological conservation.

European Forestry (M.Sc.)

“European Forestry” is a master course offered by University of Eastern Finland. This is a two-year interdisciplinary program that provides academic education in the field of sustainable resource management with an emphasis on current bioeconomy issues. M.Sc. EF offers a new approach to forestry and nature management markets and it connects the increasing number of forest-related issues with a European dimension at international as well as national levels. The objective of the program is to educate professionals who have a thorough understanding of a sustainable forest bioeconomy as well as the European business culture.

Forest Sciences (M.Sc.)

“Forest Sciences” is a master course offered by Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg (Germany). The goal of the program is to train students to become forest and forestry experts, who are able to deal with the current challenges and questions of ecologically, economically and socially sustainable forest management in science and practice at a national and international environment.

Tropical and International Forestry (M.Sc.)

“Tropical and International Forestry” is a master course offered by The University of Göttingen (Germany). The program focuses on sustainable management and conservation of forest ecosystems worldwide, especially in the tropical and subtropical forests of developing or emerging countries. The first two semesters consist of lectures and course work in Göttingen. Forest related knowledge and methods are taught in compulsory modules. With various elective modules students may specialize in some fields of forestry, gain interdisciplinary knowledge by choosing courses from other faculties of the university (e.g. Agricultural Sciences, Biology) or improve professional skills (e.g. foreign languages, soft skills). During the 3rd semester an interdisciplinary student project is conducted abroad. The project deals with a problem specific to the project partner, e.g. agroforestry, reforestation, conservation, forest fires, soil protection. So far, projects have taken place in Chile, Ecuador, Indonesia, Malawi, Laos, and the Philippines. Additionally to the own research activities the organization of the project and the ability to work in an intercultural context are of high priority. After completing the project the students usually begin the field work for the final thesis in a country of their choice.

Tropical Forestry (M.Sc.)

“Tropical Forestry” is a master course offered by Dresden University of Technology (Germany). The course aims at educating competent executives with the ability of developing scientifically substantiated, innovative and sustainable management concepts for forest, forest plantations and woody plant components in agroforestry systems as well as in urban and periurban green spaces, as well as controlling and accompanying by observation their implementation. This includes the flexible adaptation to the changing ecological and social framework. The students acquire knowledge of methods from social, natural, engineering sciences and can apply this in the management of tropical and subtropical landscapes.

Choosing courses in Germany you may apply on DAAD scholarship.

All the master programs which I mentioned above are given in English language. In order to apply you have to hold a bachelor’s or comparable degree in forest sciences or related discipline. I wish you success in getting the dream study field!