Sustainable Resource Management

The pressure on natural resources, which are the basis of our lives, is continuously increasing due to human activity. Soil, water, air and biological diversity are the source of food, raw materials and energy. They are living and recreational space and serve as sinks for harmful emissions. Suboptimal use creates social and economic problems: The global climate is changing dramatically. Environmental problems, soil degradation and species loss are increasing. Biodiversity suffers. Competition for use and conflicts of interest arise.

The purpose of the master’s program is to educate students to innovative and analytically-sharp thinking sustainability generalists, who will develop comprehensive, scalable and resilient solutions for the sustainable management of our natural resources. Explore concepts for sustainable management, consider social and political aspects, apply appropriate management methods, and discuss possible solutions with your fellow students from all over the world.

This international Master’s opens up new horizons for you! Each year, about 100 students from more than 30 different countries worldwide start their studies here. The proportion of international students is around 75% – intercultural exchange is very important to us.

Global environmental and climate changes require widespread adjustments and reorientation of current forms of economy and life. Sectors geared to sustainable development are gaining in importance and show increasing employment figures worldwide.

With your Master's degree in Sustainable Resource Management, you have the opportunity to take on management tasks in large companies, take on positions in national and international governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), or to work in environmental consulting.

Your profound knowledge of foreign languages and the social and intercultural skills that you have acquired during your international studies will be helpful. You can advise companies and organizations in the fields of sustainable development, resource use and management based on your scientific knowledge. In addition, the fields of science, education, ecosystem protection and management are open to you.

The four-semester Master’s program consists of compulsory modules (20 credits), elective modules (70 credits), and a master’s thesis (30 credits).

The first semester consists of four compulsory basic modules to bring all students to the same well-founded level of knowledge, to impart basic skills, and to facilitate entry into the degree program for international students. In addition, you choose your first elective modules.

During your studies, you will choose elective modules out of nine science topics. In each science topic we have at least four elective modules (5-6 credits each) and you have to earn at least 45 credits in total from the science topics. You can choose from the following topics:

• Climate, Air and Water
• Economic and Political Dimensions of Sustainability
• Landscape Management
• Management and Protection of Forest Ecosystems
• Material and Waste Management
• Renewable Resources
• Soils and Soil Management
• Sustainable Agricultural Systems and Products
• Wildlife and Protected Area Management

By choosing modules from the nine Science Topics, you create your own individual profile. In addition, you can take further free elective modules, which you can choose from a wide range of subjects according to your own interests and preferences (up to 25 credits). The free elective modules also include a general education subject (e.g. language courses) or a professional internship of at least seven weeks in the field of resource management.

During the internship, you can gain valuable initial experience, get an insight into the wide range of employment opportunities in your subject area and make contact with potential employers. You can complete the internship in Germany or abroad. In order to receive your 10 credits for the internship, you are required to write an internship report. In the fourth semester, you will complete your studies by writing a Master's thesis on a topic of your choice.

Interest aroused? Just take a look at an exemplary curriculum!

After successfully completing your studies, you will have a broad overview of the field of sustainable resource management. You will understand the ecological, economic and socio-political significance of natural resources and the conflicts that can arise from improper use. Sustainable management and action is just as much a focus for you as the sustainable management of natural resources and the associated social aspects.

You will have learned to analyze and evaluate production chains, material flow systems, technical processes and human activities with regard to sustainability. You are well versed in the use of suitable analysis tools. Building on this, you can derive solutions, develop concepts for implementation, and identify and involve key stakeholders. You will also take into account the socio-political and economic developments associated with this.

In addition to the basic knowledge in the field of sustainable resources and their management, you have been able to hone your own interests and develop an individual profile depending on your chosen scientific topics.During your studies, you learn to work in a scientifically and professionally sound manner and to communicate the results of your work in a suitable way. Due to the international nature of the program, you will have developed a high level of social and intercultural competence in addition to excellent foreign language skills, which will be helpful working in an international environment.

Application requirements and eligibility

The prerequisite for application is a qualified Bachelor's degree of at least six semesters or at least an equivalent degree in engineering, natural sciences, economics, or social sciences or a comparable course of study at a German or foreign university.

Language certificate

Applicants whose language of instruction is not English must provide proof of proficiency through a recognized language certificate such as the "Test of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL) (at least 88 points), the "International English Language Testing System" (IELTS) (at least 6.5 points) or the "Cambridge Main Suite of English Examinations" (CAE or CPE, grades A, B, C). Examinations amounting to 60 credits in English-language examination modules also count as proof of English language proficiency.
 

Preliminary Documentation (VPD)

All applicants with a Master's entrance qualification that was not obtained at a German university must apply for a preliminary documentation (VPD) for applications for a course starting in the winter semester 2025/26. This therefore also applies to Master's entrance qualifications obtained in EU/EEA countries. The VPD must first be requested from uni-assist before it is uploaded with the application to TUM. 

Semester fees and tuition fees at TUM

All students must pay a semester fee for the Student Union (Studierendenwerk).

Application period and start of studies

The application period is from 01 January to 31 May each year for the following winter semester. Students can only begin their studies in the winter semester. 
Click here for an overview of the semester dates.

Online application

Applications can only be submitted via our online application portal, for which an applicant account must be set up.
Instructions for the online application
All documents must be uploaded to the TUMonline portal by the application deadline! Documents submitted by e-mail cannot be processed.
Depending on the nationality and the country in which the Bachelor's degree was obtained, different documents may have to be submitted via our TUMonline portal. Documents issued in German or English do not need to be translated. Documents that are not issued in German or English must be translated into German or English by a sworn translator. Both the original and the translation must be uploaded as one PDF file. The documents required for the application can be found in the country-specific regulations and in the glossary of documents.

Optional documents:

• Proof of extracurricular activities
• Written statement in English of the reasons for choosing the degree program (max. 1 page DIN A4)

Aptitude assessment procedure

In a two-stage aptitude assessment procedure, we check whether applicants have the necessary qualifications and prerequisites for the degree program. The admission procedure is described in Annex 2 of the latest degree program's Academic and Examination Regulations. 

(1) First stage of the aptitude assessment procedure:

Each application is examined and evaluated by the Aptitude Assessment Commission according to the following categories (weighting in brackets):

• Final grade of the bachelor’s degree program (43%)
• Performance assessment in the form of an online aptitude test (57%)

The final grade is converted into the German grading system by the TUM Center for Study and Teaching according to the Bavarian formula and then converted into points (0-30). The online aptitude test for the Master's degree program in Sustainable Resource Management is offered once per application period. 
The test usually takes place in mid-June. The exact date will be announced here in good time:

Date for the online aptitude test

At the latest one week before the date of the online aptitude test, we will automatically send you an e-mail with the Exam-TUM Moodle login and access data. This means that you can access the Moodle course one week before the online aptitude test to familiarize yourself with the system. It is very important to have a stable internet connection for the test and a constant IP address during the test. The online aptitude test is conducted in written form and in English (multiple-choice test format; duration: 40 minutes). 
It covers the following areas:

• Basic general and interdisciplinary knowledge related to global challenges of resource management, research methods, and general knowledge of sustainability (75%; 30 questions, 30 points).
• Specific knowledge in one of the fields of engineering, natural sciences, economics, or social sciences (25%; 10 questions, 10 points). The field is freely selectable.

The total number of points for the first stage of the aptitude assessment is the sum of the points for the final grade (max. 30 points) and the online aptitude test (max. 40 points).
Result of the first stage:

• Applicants who have achieved at least 52 out of 70 points have passed the aptitude assessment and are offered a place at university.
• Anyone who has achieved fewer than 46 out of 70 points has not passed the aptitude test, and their application will be rejected.
• The remaining applicants (46 to 51 points) will be invited to an assessment interview (second stage of the aptitude assessment).

(2) Second stage of the aptitude assessment procedure:

Applicants who have to go through the second stage are invited to a 20 to 30-minute assessment interview via Zoom. Depending on the number of applicants, the interviews will take place between the end of June and around mid-August. The date for the interview will be announced at least one week in advance. Applicants must adhere to the scheduled interview date. The interview, which is conducted by two interviewers from the Aptitude Assessment Commission, focuses on the following topics (see the latest degree program's Academic and Examination Regulations, Annex 2, point 5.2.2):

• Exceptional motivation for the Sustainable Resource Management degree program
• Individual aptitude parameters (e.g. presentation of previous specialist knowledge, explanation of a scientific (final) thesis from the first degree course)
• Ability to communicate in English

A maximum of 20 points per category is awarded by each interviewer. The scores are averaged per interviewer and category as well as across the interviewers so that a maximum of 20 points can be obtained in total. The result from the first stage of the aptitude assessment procedure is added to these points. 
Result of the second stage:

• Those who achieve 59 points or more are offered a place at university.
• If you score less than 59 points, you did not pass the aptitude assessment, and your application will be rejected. 

Enrollment

After admission to the degree program, the study place must be accepted in the applicant account, the application for enrollment must be signed and uploaded with the missing documents for enrollment and the semester fees must be paid. All relevant information is displayed in the TUMonline applicant account.
Details of the enrollment process  
Glossary of Documents

• 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

• General Academic and Examination Regulations at TUM (APSO)
• Academic and Examination Regulations (FPSO)
  • Academic and Examination Regulations 20241 (from start of degree program WS 24/25)
  • Academic and Examination Regulations 20231 (from start of degree program WS 23/24)
  • Academic and Examination Regulations 20201 (start of degree program from WS 20/21 until WS 22/23)
  • Academic and Examination Regulations 20151 (until start of degree program WS 19/20)

• 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.

Start of degree program until WS 23/24:

In order to successfully complete your studies, you must complete a 8-week subject-related internship (12 ECTS). The internship delivers insights into various fields of business activities concerning sustainable resource management and into specific operation procedures of enterprises or organizations. It provides the possibility to explore your career options and to contact potential employers.

The internship can be divided into several sections. Please note, however, that an internship section shorter than 4 weeks cannot be credited. Students have to look themselves for an internship and to plan it without getting in conflict with the lecture time. The recommended period for the internship is the lecture-free time between the 2nd and 3rd semester (August – October). An internship report must also be prepared.

Further details can be found on the website of the “Praktikantenamt Weihenstephan”. Please contact the Praktikantenamt before you sign contracts and make sure that your internship can be accepted at TUM.

Start of degree program until WS 23/24:

An internship during your studies is no longer compulsory. However, you can complete a 7-week, subject-related internship (10 ECTS) as part of the free elective modules You can read the other information on completing the internship in the first paragraph (start of studies until WS 23/24).

More information about

• Internships
• Excursions