International Forest Ecosystem Management
The aim of the Bachelor's programme is to enable you to understand forests as ecosystems and to manage and conserve them according to the principles of sustainable forestry. With the competences, management skills and international experience you acquire, you will be able to implement international agreements and conventions on the protection and sustainable use of global forest resources.
What makes this programme special?
The IFEM programme is one of the few truly international study programmes of its kind. The fields of ecosystem management and sustainable forestry are evolving rapidly and becoming increasingly interconnected—this dynamic transformation shapes the core of our curriculum. The primary goal of the programme is to provide students with a sound scientific foundation in the principles and practices of global forest ecosystem management. To meet the needs of students and future employers alike, our teaching staff brings together a broad range of expertise in forest ecology, management, and socio-economic contexts. Students gain valuable international experience through an optional theoretical semester and a compulsory practical semester abroad. This knowledge can be applied globally in forest and land-use planning, conservation, and international cooperation—particularly in countries of the Global South.
Please note: The International Forest Ecosystem Management B.Sc. programme does not qualify graduates for admission to the preparatory service of the German state forest service. If your interests lie in pursuing a traditional forestry career, we recommend taking a closer look at our Bachelor's degree in forestry.
International Forest Ecosystem Management
International Forest Ecosystem Management
International Forest Ecosystem Management
International Forest Ecosystem Management
International Forest Ecosystem Management
International Forest Ecosystem Management
International Forest Ecosystem Management
Dates and Events
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
Hannes Dettmann
Frederik Buchholz
I want to apply...
Application period
Summer semester:
for higher semester: 1.12. to 15.1.
Winter semester:
for the first semester: 1.6. to 15.7.
for higher semester: 1.6. to 15.7.
Please start by creating an applicant account via the HNEE application portal at → https://bewerbung.hnee.de. You will receive a confirmation e-mail 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 details 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 at studieren(at)hnee.de before the application deadline.
- General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur), or
- Subject-specific higher education entrance qualification or entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences, or
- A first higher education degree qualifying for a profession, or
- A recognised professional qualification in accordance with §10(2), points 6 to 11 of the Brandenburg Higher Education Act (as amended on 28 April 2014), e.g. Master craftsperson (Meister) or certified business administrator (Fachwirt)
- Proof of English language skills at level B2 CEFR
- 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 first higher education degree qualifying for a profession, or
- A recognised vocational qualification in accordance with §10(2), points 6 to 11 of the Brandenburg Higher Education Act (as amended on 28 April 2014), e.g. Master craftsperson (Meister*in) or certified business administrator (Fachwirt*in)
- Proof of English language proficiency at B2 level (CEFR)
- Optional (if already completed): Proof of a relevant, continuous internship, Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ), or vocational training of at least six months, e.g. forester or gardener
Application period
Summer semester:
for higher semester: 1.11. to 1.12. from a non-EU country or an EU/EEA country
Winter semester:
for the first semester: 1.4. to 15.7. from a non-EU country or an EU/EEA country
for higher semester: 1.4. to 15.7. from a non-EU country or 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.
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
Applicants with an international educational background must provide proof of German language proficiency at B2 level, in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
In addition, good knowledge of English is required at B2 level (CEFR). If proof of English proficiency is not available at the time of application, it may be submitted by the end of the re-enrolment period for the second semester.
You can check whether you meet the admission requirements on the uni-assist website.
- Assessment test M-course
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)
- At least one language certificate German or English B2 (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.
Contacts
Content-related questions
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.
Student counselling
Organisational issues
Head of study programme
Professorship in Forest Utilisation and Timber Market