Forest Information Technology
The mission of Forest Information Technology (FIT) (M.Sc.) is to offer advanced education the field of information technologies with a focus on forestry and environment related applications and analysis. The programme is jointly developed, managed and accomplished by the University for Sustainable Development Eberswalde and the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. Take your chance to become a specialist in the rapidly developing field of forest and environmental information technology.
What makes the study programme special?
Digital, smart and innovative technologies have found their way into forestry and are there to stay. Therefore, the FIT Master's programme focuses on fundamental and applied knowledge of environmental information technologies (EIS) and ›Green IT‹ applications in the global forestry sector. With its interdisciplinary approach, the study programme offers a unique and innovative intercultural, international learning environment. As a student you learn to solve complex problems based on a deepened and extended understanding of data structures, algorithms as well as processes and relationships within ecosystems, based on a broad spectrum of scientific methods and tools for the collection, analysis, storage, visualization and communication of environmental and forestry data. Graduates are experts in the application of modern information technologies in the forest and environmental sector and can solve problems in silvicultural practice as well as spatial information and data management. During the FIT programme, you acquire innovative scientific methods and tools required for collecting, processing, analysing, managing and communicating environmental data with emphasis on sustainable management of forest ecosystems.
Drone flight
Land surveying
Forest Information Technology
Drone flight
Fieldwork
Impressions from lectures and students
The size of the classes, the diversity of the students' backgrounds and the close contact with the professors provide a good framework for intensive study. Practical exercises create professional skills in geomatics, remote sensing, statistics, programming and data management.
Julian Backa
Student, Forest Information Technology
Dates and Events
Career prospects
Graduates from the FIT programme are qualified to work in international as well national professional settings, for example in forest and environmental companies IT-companies, authorities, planning institutions, consulting firms, international research institutions and research projects. As a graduate of this programme you can also continue your academic career within a doctorate degree programme.
Specialisation options
The international Master study programme ›Forest Information Technology (FIT)‹ is an interdisciplinary, bilateral programme taught at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) and the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS) in Poland. That means FIT graduates hold a double degree certificate from two European higher Education Institutes, the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development and the Warsaw University of Life Sciences.
Prospects / job profiles
The Master's programme offers you a variety of basic and applied Green IT topics from forest, information and technology. You will receive a double certificate from two European universities. Both certificates enable you to enter European and international job markets. The Master's certificates are recognised for the continuation of your studies as a doctoral student or the start of another doctoral programme.
FIT combines environmental and forestry knowledge with current information technology. I specialised in GIS and remote sensing and passed on my knowledge to students as a tutor. Especially programming and setting up databases made the studies very enriching for me.
Susann Klatt
Research Associate Thünen Institute, Graduate, Forest Information Technology
Mansour Mahamane
PhD Student University of Tübingen
University of Diffa, Data and Science Co-Lead
Graduate, Forest Information Technology
Julian Backa
Consultant for the FNEWs project (remote sensing) - Staatsbetrieb Sachsenforst
Graduate, Forest Information Technology
I want to apply...
Application period
Summer semester:
for higher semesters: 1.12. to 15.1.
Winter semester:
for the first semester: 1.3. to 15.7.
for higher semesters: 1.3. to 15.7.
Please create an applicant account via the HNEE application portal. 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 the online application, you can access a summary of your details by clicking the “Print” button. We recommend printing and reviewing this summary for accuracy.
If you discover any errors after submission, please contact us by e-mail before the application deadline.
After successful admission to the FIT study programme, enrolment at the partner university Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS), where you will spend the second FIT semester, is mandatory. You will receive further information about this from your FIT coordinator by e-mail.
Approx. 32 study places are available per year.
You must hold a university degree (Bachelor, Diplom, Engineer, Ingenieur, Magister or Master) in a forest-, landscape- or environment-related subject area with a minimum of 180 academic ECTS credits in one of the following fields:
- Forestry / Forest Sciences
- Biology
- Environmental Sciences
- Agricultural Sciences
- Land Use Planning
- Geography
- Other thematically related programmes subject to recognition by the Heads of Study Programmes at the partner universities
In addition, proof of English language proficiency at least at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required.
If this proof is not yet available at the time of application, it may be submitted by the end of the re-enrolment period for the second semester.
- Degree certificate and transcript of records (alternatively, a transcript showing at least 150 ECTS credits and a provisional overall grade)
- Educational and professional background (CV in tabular format)
- If available: certificates, references, or proof of relevant professional experience
- If already available: proof of English language proficiency at B2 level. Alternatively, the TOEIC test may be taken during the first semester at the HNEE Language Centre.
Application period
Summer semester:
for higher semesters: 1.11. to 1.12. from a non-EU country or 1.12. to 15.1. from an EU/EEA country
Winter semester:
for the first semester: 1.3. to 1.6. from a non-EU country or 1.3. to 15.7. from an EU/EEA country
for higher semesters: 1.3. to 1.6. from a non-EU country or 1.3. to 15.7. 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.
If you obtained your degree 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.
After successful admission to the FIT study programme, enrolment at the partner university Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS), where you will spend the second FIT semester, is mandatory. You will receive further information about this from your FIT coordinator by e-mail.
Approx. 32 study places are available per year.
You must hold a university degree equivalent to a three-year German Bachelor’s degree in a forest-, landscape- or environment-related subject area, such as:
- Forestry / Forest Sciences
- Biology
- Environmental Sciences
- Agricultural Sciences
- Land Use Planning
- Geography
- Other thematically related programmes subject to recognition by the Heads of Study Programmes at the partner universities
In addition, proof of English language proficiency at least at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required.
If this proof is not yet available at the time of application, it may be submitted by the end of the re-enrolment period for the second semester.
You can use the uni-assist website to check whether you meet the admission requirements.
The following 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 your university degree certificate, including final grade and transcript of records (see also country-specific guidance on the uni-assist website)
- Copy of your university entrance qualification
- Other documents relevant for admission to a Master’s programme (e.g. certificate from the Academic Evaluation Centre [APS] for applicants from China, India, Mongolia, or Vietnam; proof of having passed a university entrance examination)
- If available: certificates, references, or proof of relevant professional experience
- If already available: proof of English language proficiency at B2 level. Alternatively, the TOEIC test may be taken during the first semester at the HNEE Language Centre.
All 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 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.
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
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.
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.
Before your studies
FAQ before starting your studies
You will find this information on this page 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 → 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.
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 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
Professorship in GIS and Remote Sensing
Organisational issues
Study programme coordination
Study Programme Coordinator Forest Information Technology (FIT) & Lecturer
Head of study programme
Professorship in GIS and Remote Sensing