Forest and Wood Science

The specific features of forestry include the long-term nature of forestry production, its extensive ties to site conditions, its large area coverage and its great importance for society through the provision of numerous ecosystem services (raw wood supply, climate protection, water conservation, nature conservation, preservation of biodiversity, recreational space, etc.).

In the Master's programme in Forest and Wood Science at the TUM School of Life Sciences, you will deal intensively with these aspects. At the centre of your studies are the five areas of Forest Ecology, Production & Management, Forest Governance, Wood Product Systems and Global, Digital Forestry. They reflect the basic qualification for professions in the forestry and wood cluster and the depth of the degree programme. In addition to profound knowledge about the forest ecosystem and its dynamics, you will learn how to sustainably ensure its multifunctionality in changing conditions through conservation, protection and management of forests.

The study programme focuses on the scientific principles of forestry as well as the technical utilisation and marketing of the raw materials produced in the forest and other ecosystem services. In addition to the five subject areas, the wide range of unbound elective modules offers you the opportunity to form your own profile and thus specialise in your desired field.

In addition to full-time study, we also offer a 66% part-time option. With our Master's in Forest and Wood Science, you can delve even deeper into the complex ecosystem of the forest and get ready for your future.

Whether science, business, consulting or administration - the Master's programme in Forest and Wood Science opens the door to a wide range of occupational fields. The Master's degree offers you the opportunity to acquire all the necessary professional skills for admission to the forestry preparatory service at the 4th qualification level (goverment forest service). In particular in private forestry operations, state forestry administrations, professional associations, timber trade and timber industry companies or in the field of research, you will have a wide range of future prospects. In addition, your successful graduation will arouse the interest of NGOs, development aid or consulting companies.

If you would like to gain first insights into the professional world, you can complete a six-week internship in organisations or companies from the forestry or timber industry or in the scientific sector as part of your studies.

From the first semester onwards, you design your individual study program. In the first three semesters of your studies, the focus is on the five thematic pillars of Forest Ecology, Production & Management, Forest Governance, Wood Product Systems and Global Digital Forestry.

In each thematic area, you have a choice of six modules, of which you must take at least two. In addition, you can take eight modules from a wide range of elective modules without a thematic pillar. Accordingly, you can live out your own interests and inclinations and sharpen your individual profile.

One of the special highlights of the forestry program at the TUM School of Life Sciences is mountain forest research, which is taught directly to you in numerous courses and excursions, including in close cooperation with the Berchtesgaden National Park. This allows you to experience the dynamics of natural systems in the Alpine region on site. The institute Wood Research Munich and the TUM.wood teaching and research network, which will give you an insight into the many different uses and applications of wood as a raw material, will also play an important role in your training.

In order to gain a first insight into the professional world, you can also complete a six-week internship in companies or organisations from the forestry and wood industry or science as part of your studies.

After you successfully complete your Master's thesis in the fourth semester, you’ll have your Master's degree in the bag.

Interested? Just take a look at an exemplary curriculum!

After completing your studies, you will be able to understand complex ecological issues and identify interrelationships. You can assess the dynamic reactions of ecosystems to various environmental and disturbance factors and derive consequences for their protection and forestry management.

The evaluation of land use forms, including the raw materials based on them, is also part of your repertoire. You can independently plan, implement and evaluate complex projects. A scientific approach is a matter of course for you. Thanks to the practice-oriented training, you can also analyse and evaluate operational and organisational structures and develop planning proposals taking into account ecological, social and economic factors.

In addition to a sound knowledge of the multifaceted forest ecosystem, you will have developed a comprehensive understanding of systems and methods by the end of your studies. You are able to identify and analyse the various interests in the use of the forest as a resource and the associated ecosystem services. You can develop solution-oriented options for action for the conflict situations that often arise, taking into account the legal and political framework conditions. You involve the relevant interest groups accordingly and communicate the results in an appropriate manner.

You have also learned to evaluate natural, technical and operational production conditions and to develop concepts for the production and sustainable use of forest resources. It goes without saying that you include the influences of increasing globalisation and advancing digitalisation in your considerations. In addition, you will gain in-depth knowledge from the optional modules you have chosen.

Application requirements and eligibility

To apply for the Master`s program Forest and Wood Science, you must prove a qualified bachelor's degree of at least six semesters from a domestic or foreign institution of higher education, or at least an equivalent degree in the fields of Forest Science and Resource Management or a comparable Natural Sciences degree with a focus on Forest Sciences.

In a subsequent aptitude assessment, we will check whether you meet the necessary requirements for the degree program.

The application procedure is described in the annex to the examination and study regulations for the degree program.
 

Language Certificates

The language of instruction for the degree program is German, therefore applicants whose language of instruction is not German must provide proof of language proficiency. Please find out here whether you need to submit a language certificate and which German certificates are accepted.

Preliminary review documentation (VPD) 

Applicants who have not obtained their university entrance qualification in the German school system in Germany or at a school with German Abitur examination regulations require a preliminary examination documentation. You must first apply for the VPD at uni-assist and then upload it to TUM with your application. You can find detailed information on the VPD here.

Semester fees and tuition fees at TUM

All students have to pay a semester fee for the student union (Studierendenwerk).

++ NEW ++ International students from third countries, i.e. countries that do not belong to the European Economic Area, will be charged tuition fees as of winter semester 2024/25. All information on fee levels, waivers and scholarship programs can be found on the website on tuition fees for international students.
 

Application period and start of studies

The application period is from 01 April to 31 May each year for the following winter semester. Start of the degree program is only possible in the winter semester. See here for semester dates. For international students, we strongly recommend to apply as early as possible.
 

Online application

Application is only possible via our online application portal, where you need to set up an applicant account. You find instructions for your online application here.  You do not have to submit any hardcopies before your application is reviewed and you receive an offer of admission. Please upload all documents to TUMonline before the end of the application deadline. Documents submitted via email cannot be processed.
 

Enrollment

 Once you are admitted to this program, you have to accept your study place in your applicant account. Subsequently you have to submit your certified paper copies for enrollment and pay the semester fees and, if applicable, the tuition fees. All relevant information will appear in your TUMonline applicant account. See here for details on the enrolment process and here for the glossary of documents.

Please note that from the time where you receive admission, we will only contact you via your tum.de/mytum.de email address that you find in your applicant account. Make sure that these emails can be received by you. See here for instructions how to set up your email address at TUM. 

• Curriculum
  The degree chart gives you an overview and recommendation, which modules you should take in which semester according to academic and examination regulations (FPSO).
   
• Timetable (TUM ID required for login):
  This timetable is intended to give you an overview of the planned compulsory and elective modules of a semester. It is for orientation purposes only and will not be updated during the semester! 
  
  Via TUMonline you can have a timetable created for each semester according to FSPO.
  
  You can also create your own individual timetable, which can contain not only the dates of the selected courses, but also your personal appointments.
  
  First steps with TUMonline

Important note for part-time studies:

For each semester you study part-time, an individual study and examination plan has to be worked out together with the student advisory service. This plan is a binding regulation between you and TUM and may only be changed after consultation.

Please arrange an obligatory counselling interview with your academic advisor about 2-4 weeks before the start of the lecture.

• General Academic and Examination Regulations at TUM (APSO)
• Academic and Examination Regulations (FPSO)
  • Academic and Examination Regulations 20221

• Examination dates & registration via TUMonline
  In TUMonline you can register for the module examinations that accompany your studies. 

  Important: You can only take most of the exams if you have actively registered yourself via TUMonline within the registration period. The registration and deregistration period will be displayed at the exam date.

• Further examination matters
  • Academic progress check
  • Examinations
  • Recognitions
  • Theses
• Board of Examination
  The board of examination is a committee consisting of university professors and lecturers of the degree program. The chairperson of the board of examination of your degree program is Apl. Prof. Dr. rer. silv. Gabriele Weber-Blaschke. Applications to the board of examination are received by the secretary and submitted to the board of examination for decision. You can reach the secretary by sending an email to examination.co(at)ls.tum.de.

A pre-study internship is not required for admission to the degree programme. You can complete a 6-week, subject-related internship (10 ECTS) and provide proof of this. The internship can be completed before or during your Master's programme. Please note that an internship contract must always be concluded. An internship report must also be prepared and submitted. Finally, your internship is recognised by a 30-minute oral examination. Further details can be found in the module handbook and on the website of the Weihenstephan Internship Office.

More information about

• Internships
• Excursions