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Socioecological forest management

Forests are complex ecosystems, laboratories of evolution and bioreactors. They function as climate regulators that generate rainfall, cool landscapes, and supply water. They are socio-ecological systems that are indispensable for the human well-being in the face of the climate crisis. Managing their ecosystem services is therefore a central issue for sustainable development and environmental justice.

Apply now until 15 July!

Applicants with a German university entrance qualification can go directly to the → application portal

Applicants with a non-German university entrance qualification go to → uni-assist

What makes this degree programme special?

This program offers a new perspective on forests. Based on forest ecology, ecosystem theory and socio-ecological systems, we want to work with forest owners and managers, as well as with those actors who protect, steward, interpret, and research forests, to explore pathways toward the "responsible treatment" of forests. At the heart of our approach is the forest as a dynamic, self-regulating ecological system, and how to ensure its optimal functioning in the context of the climate crisis. The overarching goal is to promote human well-being through the fair management of forest ecosystems.

The degree programme is actively supported by many partners, including

Programme content

Customised course content

Over the course of six semesters, we combine current scientific theories and concepts with direct experiences in a wide range of forest environments. The programme fosters encounters with people for whom forests hold significant meaning and supports a shared search for practical approaches to forest management—approaches that do not focus solely on timber production, nor depend exclusively upon it.

The degree programme concludes with 180 ECTS credits and provides a recognised professional qualification.

Modules per semester

First semester - Analysing

You are familiar with the concept of social ecology and socio-ecological systems, as well as their application to forests. The theoretical approaches have been critically examined within the framework of a holistic diagnosis of selected forest ecosystems. The ecosystemic, socio-economic, and socio-political characteristics, potentials, and challenges of selected forests have been explored through field excursions and literature review.

You are able to apply methods and techniques from soil science and site ecology in a practical context. Knowledge of site conditions is understood as a fundamental basis for forest management aimed at sustainable management.

You are able to contextualise the relevance of climatic and ecohydrological conditions for forest management, with particular emphasis of climate change.

 

You are capable of engaging in interdisciplinary theoretical discussions on the concept of sustainable development and can apply this knowledge in a practical way to solve concrete sustainability challenges.

You are familiar with the diversity and key characteristics of social systems and stakeholders relevant to forests. You understand the current challenges of forest policy within the context of a socio-ecological understanding of forest management, ownership and power relations, as well as environmental and forest justice. You are empowered to critically reflect on existing approaches and instruments in policy, administration, and participation concerning forest management.

Second semester - Synthesising

You learn to apply the ideas and approaches of ecological economics to forest ecosystems. You practice critically examining conventional and innovative forest management models from an economic theory perspective.

You become familiar with forest ecosystems of the low mountain ranges and refine your diagnostic skills to assess the socio-ecological situation and to develop plausible scenarios, especially for forest areas affected by calamities. You understand the concepts of vulnerability and resilience through the example of various forestry operations and differently managed forest ecosystems. You critically reflect on the strategies applied and evaluate the risks that threaten them or arise from them.

Using the example of forest ecosystems at different stages of maturity and wilderness areas in Eastern Europe, you will understand their characteristics and develop an evaluation framework to assess the degree of naturalness or human influence. You will derive insights on what the structure and functionality of old-growth forests can teach us about forest management.

You will be able to derive harvesting strategies and forest regeneration approaches from operational objectives. You recognise the interactions between different forest structures and the resilience of ecosystems.

You are equipped to understand and critically reflect on the current scientific discourse on socio-ecological forest management. Through selected literature, you will be enabled to present structured content summaries and to contextualise the resulting implications for action.

You will be able to understand forest-related data in spatial and temporal contexts, apply digital processing and analysis methods, and conduct field mapping. You will be equipped to competently handle data from various sources (remote sensing, forest inventories, databases, etc.). These skills are supported not only by theoretical knowledge but also through practical exercises to ensure their application in real-world settings.

Third semester - Apply

You will be able to understand forest-related data in spatial and temporal contexts, apply digital processing and analysis methods, and carry out field mapping. You will be equipped to handle data from various sources (remote sensing, forest inventories, databases, etc.) with competence. These skills are supported not only by theoretical knowledge but also reinforced through practical exercises to ensure their practical application.

You will be able to understand and critically reflect on the current scientific discourse on socio-ecological forest management. Selected literature enables you to present structured content analyses and to contextualise the resulting implications for action.

You will be able to confidently apply practical methods of timber harvesting and assess their areas of application. You will be familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of forest inventory methods and can interpret the results appropriately. You will be capable of weighing societal and political debates on forest management strategies and engaging in informed, expert discussions.

Building on identified challenges and current trends, you will learn about new formats of institutional organisation and participation and develop strategies for socio-ecological innovation in forest governance.

 

You will recognise the relevance of taking a macroeconomic perspective on forest management and understand the interconnection between business and national economics in the context of national and global market dynamics. You critically reflect on new business models and develop proposals for economic innovation to finance forest management. This includes an in-depth examination of models for public remuneration and private-sector financing of ecosystem services.

You will learn the basics of project management and apply them to socio-ecological projects.

 

Fourth semester - Profiling

Five of the elective modules on offer must be taken in this semester.

Optionally in the 4th or 6th semester

You will develop practical participation concepts for selected situations in socio-ecological forest systems. You will be familiar with the conceptual and methodological foundations of mediation and conflict management and apply them to current conflicts in forest practice and policy.

optionally in the 4th or 6th semester

You will be able to playe the concept of forest justice in a historical context and use it as an argumentative basis in forest policy debates based on existing discourses on environmental and climate justice.

 

optionally in the 4th or 6th semester

You will be able to develop innovative business ideas for socio-ecological managed forest enterprises.

optionally in the 4th or 6th semester

You will engage with the underlying values, assumptions, and objectives as well as the methods of various economic and econometric approaches, and draw conclusions for socio-ecological forest management.

optionally in the 4th or 6th semester

You will engage with the theory and practice of revitalisation and critically reflect on the extent to which restoration or renaturation appears possible in the context of ongoing environmental change. The idea of pro-naturation is further developed with regard to ecosystem functionality and the promotion of ecosystem services, using practical examples.

optionally in the 4th or 6th semester

You will be able to analyse the condition of the forest using a variety of methods (forest inventories, remote sensing data). This builds on the content and methods covered in the module "Information Technology in Forestry." You will be able to independently describe and assess various forests based on examples you select yourself.

optionally in the 4th or 6th semester

You will be able to understand the complex interactions between climate change, its main drivers and impacts, and the political and societal responses at various levels.

optionally in the 4th or 6th semester

You will be able to understand the recreational function of forests and its growing importance in forest management for the benefit of the common good. You will learn about possibilites and models of recreation-based forest management and practise planning related projects by developing a master plan for a specific project region.

optionally in the 4th or 6th semester

You will be able to analyse and design sustainable forest use concepts, develop future-proof business models, and understand and apply innovative communication strategies. These skills will be developed through practice-oriented, critically reflective group work and best practice examples, with the results presented.

optionally in the 4th or 6th semester

You will be able to formulate a strategic campaign goal on a forest policy–relevant topic. You will be able to develop a campaign plan to achieve this strategic goal. Additionally, you acquire the skills for interdisciplinary, strategic thinking and planning, as well as teamwork, work organisation, presentation, and discussion.

optionally in the 4th or 6th semester

You will be able to develop both professional and interdisciplinary, personality-building skills—such as communication skills, self-efficacy, teamwork, and more—through reflection on your experiences in sustainable engagement combined with intensive study of subject matter. You will learn the importance of civil society engagement and will be  able to assess and reflect on its opportunities and limitations in relation to your specific field.

optionally in the 4th or 6th semester

You will be able to expand, deepen, and apply your subject-specific and methodological knowledge as well as your skills in a specialised area outside the existing curriculum. This individual choice allows for personal profiling within the context of the programme’s learning objectives and professional qualification.

Fifth semester - Testing

The practical project lasts at least 20 weeks.

The project serves to apply and deepen the competencies gained in the first four semesters in the field of socio-ecological forest management. It can be carried out in forest-related enterprises, research institutions, non-governmental organisations, authorities, startups, or other organisations, primarily in Germany and, where applicable, abroad. The results of the project are presented in a scientifically written project report.

Sixth semester - Documenting

You will be able to write a scientific paper on a subject-related topic of your choice. Within the context of your work, you will be able to formulate specialised research questions / hypotheses and apply established methodological approaches or develop and use new methods. You will be capable of analysing data scientifically and presenting it appropriately. You will be able to evaluate and critically discuss your conclusions in the context of results from comparable studies. You are able to write scientifically and are familiar with the principles of good scientific practice.

The bachelor’s thesis consists of a written part and a presentation.

You will be able to present and critically discuss current projects in socio-ecological forest management. You deepen your knowledge of the political, socio-economic, and ecological issues related to forest management and develop a comprehensive understanding of existing challenges and potential solutions.

see offerings in the 4th semester

After your studies

Career prospects

By successfully completing this degree, you will be well prepared to respond to the complex ecological and societal challenges associated with forests. Your interdisciplinary knowledge will enable you to understand, analyse, and effectively communicate these challenges. You will develop the skills to identify current and future questions and issues in forest management, and to address them through a reflective and adaptive approach to risk management. You will be capable of designing and evaluating ecosystem-based solutions. This includes tackling important and complex questions, such as: How can the health and functionality of forests be maintained and enhanced? Which management models are fit for the future in the face of the climate crisis? And how can forest management contribute to a broader socio-ecological transformation?

Application

I want to apply...

Application period

Summer semester:

for higher semesters: 1 Dec. to 15 Jan.

Winter semester:

for the first semester: 1 June to 15 July

 

Apply now

 

The programme starts in the winter semester.

Please first register on the Hochschulstart application portal in order to receive the identification numbers (applicant ID and BAN) required for the application. After that, please go to https://bewerbung.hnee.de to create an applicant account. You will receive a confirmation e-mail from us with your user name and password. You can now log in and start entering all the information required for the application and uploading your documents. After submitting the online application, you can click on the "Print" button to access a summary of your details in the online application, which we recommend you print out and check. If you notice an error after submitting your application, please contact us by e-mail by the application deadline at studieren(at)hnee.de. You can track the status of your application both on the Hochschulstart portal and on the HNEE application portal. Your application will retain 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-restricted higher education entrance qualification or entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences or subject-restricted entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences

or
- professionally qualifying university degree

or
- a vocational qualification in accordance with Section 10 (2) points 6 to 11 of the Brandenburg University and College Act of 28 April 2014 as amended (e.g. nature and landscape conservationist, environmental protection technical assistant or state-certified technician for environment/landscape)

  • Certificate of general higher education entrance qualification, entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences, professionally qualified university entrance qualification (in accordance with Section 10 (2) points 6 to 11 of the Brandenburg University and College Act of 28 April 2014 as amended)
  • Proof of English language skills at level B2 CEFR
  • Educational and professional background (curriculum vitae in tabular form)
  • optional and if already completed: Proof of at least six months of a continuous and relevant internship, FÖJ or vocational training, e.g. nature and landscape conservationist or environmental protection assistant

Application period

Summer semester:

for higher semesters: 1 November to 1 December

Winter semester:

for the first semester: 1 April to 15 July from a non-EU country and from an EU/EEA country

 

Apply now via uni-assist

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 (applicant ID and BAN) required for your application. If you have obtained your degree abroad, then - regardless of your nationality - do not apply directly to our university, but via the application portal of uni-assist e.V. This is a service centre for the preliminary examination of international study applications for many universities in Germany. You can find information about the application process on the uni-assist website. Please also note the country information on the uni-assist portal.

If your application is complete and fulfils the formal admission requirements, uni-assist will forward your application to our university. After your application has been imported into our application portal, you will receive an e-mail with access data to the HNEE application portal so that you can follow the status of your application.

  • a university entrance qualification obtained abroad that corresponds to a German university entrance qualification
  • Optional for EU citizens and if already completed: Proof of a relevant internship of at least six months, voluntary service or vocational training, e.g. nature and landscape conservationist or environmental protection assistant
  • Other relevant certificates (e.g. certificate from the Academic Evaluation Centre for applicants from China, India, Mongolia or Vietnam, proof of passing the university entrance examination)
  • Applicants with a foreign educational background must also provide proof of German language skills at level C1 (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages - CEFR).
  • In addition, good knowledge of English must be demonstrated at least at level B2 CEFR.

  • You can apply on the website of uni-assistto check whether you fulfil the requirements: M-course assessment test

The following application documents must be uploaded exclusively via the uni-assist application portal. Please note that this list may not 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 Country information uni-assist):
    • 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 from the Academic Evaluation Centre for applications from China, India, Mongolia or Vietnam, proof of having passed the university entrance examination)
  • Language certificate German C1 and 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.

 

Apply now

 

As a part-time student, you can only apply for modules in the relevant semester. You can find an overview of the respective programmes here. Please note that there may be changes to the modules offered, their dates and content.

Students who are already enrolled as main students at a university can be accepted as secondary students at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, depending on capacity. The condition is that simultaneous study at both universities is possible (parallel studies) and that the chosen module is a meaningful addition to the study programme.

Part-time students are not members of the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development. 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 enrolment regulations of the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development.

Formal applicationsmust be submitted during the application period by post or e-mailto the Student Support Service department.
There is a fee for secondary membership. The amount of the fee depends on the current fee schedule of the HNEE, the AStA and the Studentenwerk Frankfurt (Oder).

Application period

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 relevant semester. You can find an overview of the respective programmes here. Please note that there may be changes to the modules offered, their dates and content.

As a rule, admission as a guest student must be applied for at the Student Support Service department before the start of the classes (guest student application).
Persons who are not enrolled as students can be admitted as guest students to classes lasting up to 8 semester weeks, even without proof of university entrance qualification, within the scope of the available training capacity.
As a rule, admission as a guest student is subject to a fee. No fees are charged to students. Admission as a guest student for those with a refugee background is free of charge.
Participation in classes in the corresponding subject areas is confirmed in writing. Participation in examinations is excluded.

Formal applicationsmust be submitted during the application period by post ore-mailto the Student Support Service department.

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 those who obtained their Abitur or Fachhochschulreife before the current year. The current application periods 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, a degree programme is offered with restricted admission. The study places are allocated to the applicants in a selection procedure. Several ranking lists are created. The average grade or waiting time of the last admitted applicant determines the selection limit for the respective year.
Here you can find the selection limits for degree programmes with restricted admission for the last year:
Selection thresholds for degree programmes with restricted admission in previous years

No, you can only apply for one degree programme at our university. You are welcome to contact us at an early stage to discuss which degree programme might be the most suitable for you. Please contact us viae-mailto make an appointment. Consultations are possible by telephone, online and in person.

If the Fachhochschulreife consists of an academic and a practical part, an application is only possible once both parts have been completed. If, for example, the practical part ends after the application deadline, an application is not possible until the following year.
When applying for a Master's study programme, we require a certificate of achievement from your university stating 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 will need a lower secondary school leaving certificate (Realschule), relevant vocational training and two years of professional experience or a master craftsman's certificate or business administration qualification in any subject area.

Notices of admission, rejection or exclusion are made available in the online application portal. At the same time, information is sent to the e-mail address stored in the applicant account.
The notices for degree programmes with restricted admission are usually sent two to four weeks after the end of the application deadline for the respective degree programme.

Special feature for degree programmes that participate in the dialogue-oriented service procedure (DoSV):
For degree programmes that participate in the DoSV (Hochschulstart), you must first actively accept the offer of admission on the → portal of Hochschulstart before HNE Eberswalde can send the notice of admission.

If you do not fulfil the formal admission requirements, you will be asked by uni-assist to submit any missing documents within the application deadline. You will receive notification of the status of your application within four weeks.

 

Before the start of the programme

STUDIES

Information on starting your studies

Here you will find information to prepare you for the start of your studies.

MORE INFORMATION
CONSULTING & SERVICE

Financing? Housing? Studying with a child?

Our advice centres can answer these and other questions.

INFORM ME NOW
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Welcome Programme

Our students will help you with local orientation, enrolment, dealing with authorities, finding accommodation and much more.

LEARN MORE

FAQ before starting your studies

You will find this information on this website in good time.

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 → My 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.

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.

General Student Counselling

Stadtcampus | House 5 ground floor, right
Schicklerstraße 5 | 16225 Eberswalde

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

Counselling appointment
Please make an appointment by phone or e-mail.

Subject-specific information on the degree programme

Student counselling

Christoph Nowicki

Studiengangskoordination Global Change Management (GCM), IFEM, Forstwirtschaft

+49 3334 657-164

Head of study programme

Prof. Dr. Pierre L. Ibisch

Professorship of Social Socio-ecology of Forest Ecosystem

+49 3334 657-178
START-UP CENTRE

Start your own business

Everything to do with start-ups: Advice, events, success stories and the HNEE Startup Lab

MEHR ENTDECKEN
CAREER SERVICE

Information on starting a career

Counselling and events relating to application documents, career guidance and job advertisements

MEHR INFORMATIONEN
UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

The most valuable library offers

Information on the media catalogue and lending, publishing your own documents, academic work, researching and citing

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