Forestry
The Bachelor’s programme in Forestry (B.Sc.) offers excellent career prospects. You will learn to weigh up different objectives and development paths of sustainable forest management strategies and implement them according to diverse demands. The focus is on maintaining the full range of forest functions — including production, protection, recreation, and education — across the entire forest area.
What makes the study programme special?
In the professionally qualifying Bachelor's degree programme in Forestry (B.Sc.), you will learn all aspects of integrative forest management and the preservation of forest functions. Additionally, you have the opportunity to obtain the nationally recognised certificate as a ‘State-Certified Forest Educator’ alongside your studies. Each year, our graduates present the range of career opportunities at a dedicated career presentation, allowing you to connect early on with our alumni network.
Forestry
Forestry
Forestry
Forestry
Forestry
Forestry
Forestry
Dates and Events
Career prospects
The degree programme prepares you to manage and further develop our forest ecosystems, balancing economic, ecological, and social sustainability, and aligning with the objectives of the respective ownership type.
Specialisation options
As an additional qualification, you can acquire the nationally recognised certificate as a ‘State-certified Forest Educator,’ enabling you to work with people in environmental education and public relations. The diverse career opportunities in forestry are presented annually by graduates of the programme, offering students an early chance to network with alumni.
Prospects / job profiles
Forest administrations, private and municipal forestry, private forestry consulting services, forest conservation, and forest education offer many opportunities for permanent employment or self-employment. The degree qualifies you for forest enterprise management. Additional career fields are available in the wood industry. The Bachelor of Science degree also qualifies you to pursue a master’s degree at universities at home and abroad.
After graduating from Eberswalde, I immediately started a Master's programme in Weihenstephan/Bern (Switzerland) to gain even more qualifications. The transition was easy for me due to the sound education in Eberswalde.
Hauke Köhn
Research Assistant, Biofuel Project, Graduate, Forestry
Hannes Langner
Christoph Bachmann
I want to apply...
Application period
Summer semester:
for higher semester: 1.12. to 15.1.
Winter semester:
for higher semester: 1.6. to 15.7.
for the first semester: 1.6. to 15.7.
First, please register on the Hochschulstart application portal to obtain your identification numbers (applicant ID and BAN), which are required for your application.
Next, submit your application via the HNEE portal at → https://bewerbung.hnee.de, where you will create an applicant account. You will receive a confirmation email from us containing your username and password. You may then log in to enter the required information and upload your documents.
After submitting your application online, you’ll be able to view a summary of your information by clicking the “Print” button. We recommend saving or printing this summary and reviewing it carefully to ensure all details are correct. If you notice any errors after submission, please get in touch with us by e-mail before the application deadline.
You can track the status of your application both on the Hochschulstart portal and the HNEE application portal. Your status on Hochschulstart will remain “received” and will only change to “valid” shortly before the ranking lists are created.
One of the following qualifications is required for admission:
- general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or
- subject-specific higher education entrance qualification or subject-specific entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences, or
- a university degree that qualifies you for a profession, or
- a recognised professional qualification in accordance with §10 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)
- Certificate of general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur), entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences, or vocational higher education entrance qualification (in accordance with §10(2), points 6 to 11 of the Brandenburg Higher Education Act of 28 April 2014, as amended
- Educational and professional background (curriculum vitae in tabular form)
- Optional (if already completed): Proof of a relevant internship, voluntary ecological year (FÖJ), or vocational training (minimum duration: six months), e.g. as a forestry specialist (Forstwirt*in) or gardener (Gärtner*in)
Application period
Summer semester:
for higher semester: 1.11. to 1.12. from a non-EU country or from an EU/EEA country
Winter semester:
for higher semester: 1.4. to 15.7. from a non-EU country or from an EU/EEA country
for the first semester: 1.4. to 15.7. from a non-EU country or from an EU/EEA country
Please apply early if you need to apply for a visa for your studies. The processing times are sometimes very long.
Please first register on the Hochschulstart application portal to obtain the identification numbers required for your application (applicant ID and BAN). If you obtained your school-leaving qualification outside Germany, you must not apply directly to our university, regardless of your citizenship. Instead, please apply via the uni-assist e.V application portal. Uni-assist is a central service provider that conducts a preliminary review of international applications on behalf of many German universities. Detailed information about the application process can be found on the uni-assist website, including country-specific guidance.
If your application is complete and meets the formal admission requirements, uni-assist will forward it to our university. Once your application has been imported into the HNEE application system, you will receive an email with login details for the HNEE application portal, allowing you to track the status of your application.
- A higher education entrance qualification obtained outside Germany that is recognised as equivalent to a German university entrance qualification
- Optional (for EU citizens, if already completed): Proof of a relevant internship (minimum six months), a Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ), or vocational training – e.g. as a forestry specialist or gardener
- Other relevant documentation, such as:
- Certificate from the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) for applicants from China, India, Mongolia, or Vietnam
- Proof of having passed a university entrance examination
In addition, applicants with an international educational background must provide evidence of German language proficiency at C1 level, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
You can use the uni-assist website to check whether you meet the admission requirements.
The following application documents must be uploaded exclusively via the uni-assist application portal. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and additional documents may be requested.
- Copy of the higher education entrance qualification in the original language
- Depending on the type of qualification and country of origin, the higher education entrance qualification may include the following documents (see uni-assist country information):
- school-leaving certificates with a transcript of grades
- academic records from one to two years of study
- other certificates relevant to the higher education entrance qualification (e.g. certificate from the Academic Evaluation Centre for applicants from China, India, Mongolia, or Vietnam; proof of having passed a university entrance examination)
- German language certificate at level C1 (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages – CEFR)
Foreign certificates must be translated into German or English by a sworn translator.
Application period
Summer semester: 1.12. to 15.1.
Winter semester: 1.6. to 15.7.
As a secondary auditor (Nebenhörer*in), you may only apply for modules offered in the respective semester. An overview of the available modules can be found here. Please note that the modules offered, including their schedules and content, are subject to change.
Students who are already enrolled at another university as main (degree-seeking) students may be admitted to Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde (HNEE) as secondary auditors (Nebenhörer*innen), subject to available capacity. Admission requires that simultaneous enrolment at both institutions (parallel studies) is feasible and that the selected module constitutes a meaningful supplement to the student’s primary programme of study.
Secondary auditors are not members of HNEE. They may participate in examinations with the approval of the respective examiners and in accordance with the applicable examination regulations. The scope of examinations taken may not lead to the award of a degree. There is no legal entitlement to participate in examinations. Further provisions are set out in the current matriculation regulations of HNEE.
Formal applications must be submitted during the application period by post or e-mail to the Student Service Centre.
There is a fee for secondary auditoring. The amount of the fee is determined by the current fee schedules of HNEE, the AStA, and the Studierendenwerk Ost:Brandenburg.
Application period
Summer semester: 1.12. to 15.1.
Winter semester: 1.6. to 15.7.
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, applications for guest auditor status must be submitted to the Student Service Centre prior to the start of the courses (Guest auditor application).
Persons who are not enrolled as guest auditors may be admitted to courses of up to 8 semester weeks within the scope of available training capacity, even without proof of a university entrance qualification.
Guest auditor status is generally subject to a fee. No fees are charged to enrolled students. Guest auditor status is free of charge for interested persons with a refugee background.
Participation in courses within the relevant teaching areas will be confirmed in writing. Participation in examinations is excluded.
Formal applications are to be submitted during the application period by post or e-mail to the Student Service Centre during the application period.
We are happy to welcome you to an → exchange programme at HNEE.
FAQ on application and admission
No, there are no separate application deadlines for applicants who obtained their Abitur or Fachhochschulreife before the current year. The current application deadlines can be found under the Application section for each degree programme.
If the number of applications is expected to exceed the number of available study places, the degree programme will be subject to admission restrictions (Numerus Clausus). Study places are allocated to applicants through a selection process, which involves creating several ranking lists. The average grade or waiting time of the last admitted applicant determines the admission threshold for that year.
You can find the admission thresholds for restricted degree programmes from the previous year here:
Admission thresholds for restricted degree programmes from previous years
No, you may only apply for one degree programme at our university. We encourage you to consult with us early on to determine which programme is the best fit for you. Please contact us via E-mail to arrange an appointment. Consultations are available by phone, online, or in person.
If your Fachhochschulreife (university of applied sciences entrance qualification) consists of a school-based and a practical part, you can only apply once both parts have been completed. For example, if the practical part ends after the application deadline, you will have to apply in the following year.
For applications to a master’s degree programme, we require a transcript from your university showing at least 150 ECTS credits, your current grade point average, and the expected date of graduation.
You have the option to apply for a study place at our university even without an Abitur. For this, you need a secondary school leaving certificate (Sekundarstufe I, e.g., Realschule), a relevant vocational qualification, and two years of professional experience, or a master craftsman’s certificate (Meister) or certified business administrator (Fachwirt) in any field.
Admission, rejection, or exclusion notices are made available in the online application portal. At the same time, a notification is sent to the email address registered in your applicant account.
For restricted-admission degree programmes, the notices are usually sent out two to four weeks after the application deadline for the respective programme.
Please note for degree programmes participating in the Dialogue-Oriented Service Procedure (DoSV):
If you are applying for a degree programme that takes part in the DoSV via Hochschulstart, you must first accept your offer of admission on the → Hochschulstart portal. Only after you have actively accepted the offer can HNE Eberswalde issue your official letter of admission.
If you do not meet the formal admission requirements, uni-assist will contact you during the application period to request any missing documents. You will receive an update on the status of your application within four weeks.
Before your studies
FAQ before starting your studies
Are there preparatory courses before the regular start of studies?
You'll be informed about the course on this site.
When and how do I start my studies?
You will find the semester dates and the programme for the introductory events for first-year students on this page in good time.
There, you will learn how to access your study plan in the campus management system → Mein EMMA, register for modules and exams, and use the Moodle platform, where all learning materials are provided. You will also meet your academic contacts, student representatives and initiatives, and fellow students, while gaining your first insights into the degree programmes. It's well worth attending!
Please bring a valid ID for the identity check, as well as something to take notes with.
For meals, feel free to take advantage of the great offerings at our sustainability canteen.
You can access your study plan online through our campus management system → Mein EMMA. You will receive your login details by email after enrolment.
No, attendance is not compulsory—neither for courses nor for the introductory week (with the exception of the identity check at the beginning of your studies, most exams, and any registered excursions).
However, regular attendance is strongly recommended. It not only supports your learning progress but also helps foster the positive dynamic within our small learning groups.
Where can I get support at the beginning of my studies if I don't know my way around or have specific questions?
Most of your questions will likely be answered during the introductory events at the start of the semester. If you still have questions or specific needs, feel free to make use of → our advisory services.
Contacts
Content-related questions
General information about studying
General Student Counselling
Stadtcampus | House 5 ground floor, right
Schicklerstraße 5 | 16225 Eberswalde
+ 49 3334 657-149
studieren(at)hnee.de
Counselling appointment
Please make an appointment by phone or e-mail.
Student counselling
Organisational issues
Head of study programme
Professorship in Law and Politics in the Forest and Environmental Sector