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International Forest Ecosystem Management

The aim of the Bachelor's programme is to train experts to understand forests as ecosystems and to conserve and manage them according to the principles of sustainable forestry. With the acquired competences, management skills and experiences abroad, you will be able to implement international resolutions and conventions for the protection and sustainable use of natural global forest resources.

What makes this programme special?

The IFEM programme is one of the few and rather unique international programmes of its kind. Ecosystem management and the principles of sustainable forestry are undergoing a period of unprecedented change and synergy, and this is what makes our programme so dynamic. The philosophy and primary aim of the programme is to provide students with a sound scientific understanding of the principles and practice of global forest ecosystem management. To meet the expectations of both students and future employers, the staff team draws on a wide range of expertise in forest ecosystem ecology, management and related socio-economic studies. The knowledge and international experience gained during the optional theoretical semester abroad and the compulsory practical semester abroad can be applied globally in forest and land use planning and conservation projects, including international cooperation in countries of the global south. The B.Sc. degree in International Forest Ecosystem Management does not entitle the holder to apply for the preparatory service for the state forest service. If your interest lies in the classic forestry career, feel free to take a look at our bachelor's degree programme in forestry.

Dates and Events

There are no events in the current view.

Individual study contents

The degree programme consists of six semesters. You can earn 30 ECTS per semester in compulsory modules and an additional selection of elective modules. You can have further academic content such as specialisation modules credited according to the European Credit Transfer System. This results in a total of 180 ECTS for the Bachelor's degree programme IFEM.

Modules per semester

In the first and second semester, basic knowledge of natural sciences and socio-economics is taught.

You acquire basic knowledge of morphological structures, cytology, anatomy, physiological processes and systematic relationships of plants with a focus on woody plants.

You are enabled to actively participate in the discussion on current issues and concerns of sustainability, natural resource management and nature conservation. Your knowledge is based on a complex and integrative consideration and appreciation of ecosystems in which humans are embedded.

In the first and second semester, basic knowledge of natural sciences and socio-economics is taught.

The third semester focuses on teaching and implementing skills for sustainable management and conservation of global forest ecosystems.

In the fourth semester, you can study a semester abroad at one of our partner universities in Europe, North or South America (limited places!). We advise that you also complete the compulsory internship of the fifth semester there to deepen your potential research. If you stay in Germany, these modules are available for selection.

In the practical fifth semester abroad, you will test and deepen your knowledge and skills from your studies. All full-time students with German language skills must complete their internship on forest ecosystem-related topics abroad.

Students are enabled to participate in international projects in the field of multifunctional and sustainable management of forest ecosystems. Participation in scientifically sound, practice-oriented projects with concrete reference to the forest and the study programme.

In the sixth semester you will write your Bachelor's thesis based on research projects and take further, in-depth additional modules and complex project work.

You can write a scientific paper on a subject-related topic of your own choice, formulate working hypotheses and develop methodological approaches. You analyse and present data scientifically. You can evaluate and critically discuss conclusions. You know the principles of good scientific practice.

After graduation

Career prospects

The degree programme thus qualifies you for application-oriented work in organisations of national and international natural resource/nature conservation management. In addition, with the degree in International Forest Ecosystem Management you can take up a Master's programme, e.g. with us at the HNEE. You can also work in the field of facilitation and communication, where you work with stakeholders on projects and solutions to problems in land use and natural resource management.

As a graduate of the IFEM degree programme, you can work in many different professional fields. You are particularly well suited to work in the field of natural resource management, protected area management or as an expert in ecosystem rehabilitation. Other opportunities include consulting in the forest and environmental sector, working in NGOs, nature-based tourism or environmental education institutions, as well as academic work in research institutions
The degree in International Forest Ecosystem Management B.Sc. does not qualify you for the preparatory service in the higher forest service.

Forest ecosystems fascinate me and especially the interactions between forests, humans and nature on an international level. The opportunities and atmosphere that HNEE offers are unique. Today I work in a forestry consulting firm that serves private forest owners throughout Germany.

 

Julia Kirchlechner

Employee of a forestry consulting firm operating throughout Germany, graduate in International Forest Ecosystem Management

VERLINKUNG KOMMT NOCH

Wiebke Szymanski

Ranger, Nature Guard, Graduate, International Forest Ecosystem Management

 

 

 

 

 

Kathrin Müller-Rees

Administrator at the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food, Graduate, International Forest Ecosystem Management

Application

I want to apply...

Application deadline
Summer semester 1.12. to 15.1. (only higher semesters possible)
Winter semester: 1.6. to 15.7.

 

Apply now

Please first register on the application portal of Hochschulstart to receive the identification numbers (applicant ID and BAN) required for the application. Then submit your application at https://bewerbung.hnee.de to create an applicant account. You will receive a confirmation from us by e-mail with your user name and a password. Now you can log in and start entering all the information required for the application and uploading your documents. After submitting the online application, the "Print" button will take you to a summary of your details in the online application, which we recommend you print out and check. If you have discovered an error after submitting your application, please contact us by the closing date by e-mail at studieren(at)hnee.de. You can track the status of your application on both the Hochschulstart portal and the HNEE application portal. Your application will keep the status "received" on the Hochschulstart portal and will only be changed to "valid" shortly before the ranking lists are compiled.

  • general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or
  • subject-linked higher education entrance qualification or subject-linked advanced technical college entrance qualification or
  • a vocationally qualifying university degree or
  • a vocational qualification according to §9 paragraph 2 points 6 to 11 of the Brandenburg Higher Education Act of 28 April 2014 as amended (e.g. Meister*in or Fachwirt*in)
  • Proof of English language skills at level B2 CEFR
  • general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or
  • subject-linked higher education entrance qualification or subject-linked advanced technical college entrance qualification or
  • a vocationally qualifying university degree or
  • a vocational qualification according to §9 paragraph 2 points 6 to 11 of the Brandenburg Higher Education Act of 28 April 2014 as amended (e.g. Meister*in or Fachwirt*in)
  • Proof of English language skills at level B2 CEFR
  • Optional and if already completed: Proof of at least a six-month, continuous and relevant internship, FÖJ or vocational training, e.g. forester or gardener

Application deadline
Summer semester: 1.11. to 1.12. (only possible for higher semesters)
Winter semester: 1.4. to 15.7.

 

Apply now via uni-assist

Please register first on the application portal of Hochschulstart in order to obtain the identification numbers (applicant ID and BAN) required for the application. If you have obtained your degree abroad, then subsequently apply - regardless of your citizenship - not directly to our university, but via the application portal of uni-assist e.V. This is a service centre for the pre-screening of international student applications for many universities in Germany. The uni-assist website will inform you about the application procedure. Please also note the country information on the uni-assist portal.

If your application is complete and meets the formal admission requirements, uni-assist will forward your application to our university. After importing your application into our application portal, you will receive an email with access data to the HNEE application portal so that you can follow up on the status of your application.

  • a higher education entrance qualification obtained abroad which corresponds to a German higher education entrance qualification
  • Optional for EU citizens and if already completed: Proof of a relevant internship of at least six months, FÖJ or vocational training, e.g. forester or gardener.
  • Other relevant certificates (e.g. certificate of the Academic Evaluation Centre for applicants from China, India, Mongolia or Vietnam, proof of having passed the university entrance examination).

Applicants with a foreign educational biography must also provide evidence of German language skills at level B2 (according to the "Common European Framework of Reference" - CEFR).

In addition, good knowledge of the English language at least on level B2 CEFR must be proven. If the proof is not yet available at the time of application, it can be submitted at the end of the re-registration period for the second semester.

You can find this information on the website of uni-assistto check whether you meet the requirements.

  • Assessment test M-course

The following application documents must be uploaded exclusively via the uni-assist application portal. Please note that this list cannot be complete and further documents may be requested.

  • Copy of the university entrance qualification in the original language
  • Depending on the type of degree and country of origin, the university entrance qualification may include the following documents (see uni-assist country information):
    • School-leaving certificates with overview of grades
    • academic achievements of 1 to 2 academic years already completed
    • Other certificates relevant to the university entrance qualification (e.g. certificate of the Academic Evaluation Centre for applications from China, India, Mongolia or Vietnam, proof of having passed the university entrance examination)
  • At least one language certificate German or English B2 (according to the "Common European Framework of Reference" - CEFR)

Foreign certificates must be translated into German or English by a sworn translator.

Application deadline

Summer semester: 1.12. to 15.1.

Winter semester: 1.6. to 15.7.

 

Apply now

 

As a secondary student, you can only apply for modules in the corresponding semester. You can find an overview of the respective offers here. Please note that the modules offered, their dates and contents may be subject to change.

Students who are already enrolled at a university as a main auditor can be admitted to the Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde as a secondary auditor, depending on capacity. The condition is that simultaneous studies at both universities are possible (parallel studies) and that the chosen module is a meaningful addition to the studies taken up.

Adjunct students are not members of the Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde. They may take part in examinations with the consent of the respective examiners and in accordance with the respective examination regulations. The scope of the examinations may not lead to a degree in a degree programme. There is no legal entitlement to take these examinations. Further details are regulated by the applicable matriculation regulations of the Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde.

Formal applicationsare to be submitted during the application period by post or e-mailto the Student Services & International Office during the application period.

There is a fee for the secondary auditorium. The amount of the fee is based on the current fee schedule of the HNEE, the AStA and the Studentenwerk Frankfurt (Oder).

Application deadline

Summer semester: 1.12. to 15.1.

Winter semester: 1.6. to 15.7.

 

Apply now

 

As a guest student, you can only apply for modules in the corresponding semester. You can find an overview of the respective offers here. Please note that the modules offered, their dates and contents may be subject to change.

As a rule, an application for guest auditor status must be submitted to the Student Services Department prior to the start of the course (Guest auditor application).

Persons who are not matriculated can be admitted to courses up to 8 semester weeks as guest auditors without proof of university entrance qualification within the scope of the available educational capacity.

As a rule, guest auditors are subject to a fee. No fees are charged to students. Guest auditors for interested persons with a refugee background are free of charge.

Participation in the courses in the corresponding teaching areas is confirmed in writing. Participation in examinations is excluded.

Formal applications are to be submitted during the application period by post or e-mailto the Student Services & International Office during the application period.

Detailed information about the application at the International Office

 


Apply now

 

FAQ on application and admission

No, there are no separate application deadlines for those who obtained their Abitur or Fachhochschulreife before the current year. You can find the current application deadlines under the Application section for each degree programme.

 

If the number of applications is expected to exceed the number of available study places, a degree programme is offered with limited admission. The study places are awarded to the applicants in a selection procedure. Several ranking lists are created. The average grade or waiting period of the most recently admitted applicant determines the selection limit for the respective year.
Here you can find the selection limits for the restricted-admission degree programmes of the past year:
Selection limits for restricted-admission degree programmes of the past years

No, you can only apply for one degree programme at our university. You are welcome to consult with us at an early stage to find out which degree programme might be the most suitable for you. Please contact us via e-mail to arrange an appointment. Consultations are possible by telephone, online and in person.

If the Fachhochschulreife consists of a school-based and a practical part, an application is only possible when both parts have been completed. If, for example, the practical part ends after the application deadline, an application is only possible the following year.
If you are applying for a Master's degree programme, we require a certificate of achievement from your university showing at least 150 ECTS, the provisional average grade and the expected end of studies.

You have the opportunity to apply for a place at our university even without an Abitur. To do so, you need a lower secondary school leaving certificate (Realschule), relevant vocational training and two years of professional experience or a master craftsman's certificate or Fachwirt, regardless of the subject area.

Notifications of admission, rejection or exclusion are made available in the online application portal. At the same time, information on this is sent to the e-mail address stored in the applicant account.
Notifications for degree programmes with restricted admission are usually sent out two to four weeks after the end of the application period for the respective degree programme. Further information on notifications for restricted-admission degree programmes in coordination with Hochschulstart (DOSV) can be found here.
In the case of an application for a degree programme with open admissions, the notification is sent promptly after the application has been reviewed.

STUDY

Information on the start of your studies

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LIVING & FINANCING

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INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Welcome Programme

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FAQ before starting your studies

There will be a bridge course on key competencies before the start of studies. You can find more information on this page.

You can find the semester dates and the programme for the introductory events for first-year students here. There you will find out where to find your study plan in the campus management system EMMA and where to register for modules and exams, get to know the Moodle platform where all learning materials etc. can be found, get to know your contact persons and student representatives and initiatives as well as your fellow students and get first insights into individual subjects. So it's definitely worth taking part!

Please bring a valid ID document for the identity check and something to write down. For catering, we have a great offer in our sustainability canteen.

You can find your study plan online via the account access in our campus management system, which you will receive by e-mail with your enrolment. You can also find the plans for the introductory events here.

No, attendance is not compulsory, neither for the courses nor for the introductory week (with the exception of the identity check at the start of your studies, most exams and excursions for which you have registered). But: Regular attendance is of course highly recommended, as this not only supports learning progress, but also contributes to the positive dynamics of our rather small learning groups.

Most of your questions will certainly be answered during the introductory events at the beginning of the semester. If you still have questions or special needs, please make use of our advisory services, which we have clearly prepared for you here.

General information about studying

General study guidance

Stadtcampus Haus 5 ground floor, right
Schicklerstraße 5
16225 Eberswalde

+ 49 3334 657-149
studieren(at)hnee.de


Please make an appointment by phone or e-mail and via this contact form.

Subject-specific information on the degree programme

Student counselling

Study program coordination

Head of study programme

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