Forestry and Wood Science

As complex ecosystems, forests feature worldwide among the most significant biodiversity hotspots and fulfill numerous functions. They offer habitats for plant and animal species, produce wood – the most important renewable resource in terms of surface area and quantity – and make a fundamental contribution to the common good of society. Forest ecosystems must therefore satisfy numerous demands and, as such, are increasingly in the focus of sociopolitical discourse.

In order to balance these diverse and, in part, conflicting interests, careful, long-term and calculated planning is essential. In addition to well-founded knowledge of the forest ecosystem, this demands a comprehensive understanding of systems and far-reaching methodological competence. To this end, the master's program "Forestry and Wood Science" offers the required specialization. The program's goal is to convey the scientific basis for sustainably managing the forest ecosystem and, in the process, to cover the entire value-added chain, from production in the forest to finished wood products.

As such, the focus is equally on the scientific foundations of forestry as well as the technical aspects of exploiting and marketing raw materials produced in the forest. The four supporting pillars of the program – "Environment", "Production", "Society" and "Wood" – are reflected too in six available specialist areas: "Wood as raw/building material", "Mountain forestry", "Forest management", "International forestry", "Site assessment and use", as well as "Landscape development and nature conservation". The course content can be combined and therefore offers, together with an extensive catalog of elective modules, a high level of flexibility in creating one's own individual study profile.

For a comprehensive description of the program, please refer to the degree program documentation:

• Degree program documentation for the master's program in Forestry and Wood Science (PDF, German) 

Our graduates have at their disposal an advanced technical training in the economics of forestry and wood and can conduct scientific work independently, as well as plan, realize and lead complex projects. They are able to think through systems, take on responsibility, and incorporate the latest scientific developments into their work. Given the practical nature of the program, graduates are in a position to analyze and assess business and organizational structures, and to independently plan.

Graduates understand complex ecological phenomena and can describe how they relate to one another. They can assess the reactions of ecosystems to biotic and abiotic environmental factors and deduce the consequences for ecosystem conservation as well as forest management. They are in a position to evaluate various forms of land use and make judgments about opportunities for, and limits to, sustainable uses.

Graduates are able to assess biogeographic, technical and commercial production conditions, and to analyze concepts for the production of forestry resources in accordance with current standards, as well as to develop such concepts independently. They are able to conduct forestry business analysis and planning that takes into account economic, social and ecological factors. At the same time, they are capable of factoring in the demands of the wood industry. Moreover, they are familiar with the market structures of the wood industry and able to distinguish between its production processes.

In addition, they can identify diverse interests at play in the use of the forest as resource and analyze actor constellations. They are able to conduct conflict analysis and formulate possible courses of action that are solution-oriented and take into consideration legal and political conditions. They are able to take into account affected interest groups and to communicate their findings in an appropriate manner.

The degree prepares graduates for diverse areas of employment in the field of forest and wood management, paving the way for activity in science and business. It also offers the opportunity to acquire the necessary technical training for admission to the fourth tier in the state training program for the German forest service. Here, a bachelor's degree in forestry is a requirement. Upon completion, the degree also offers openings in NGOs and development aid, or as a freelance expert.

•  The degree's central areas of study are "Production", "Environment", "Society" and "Wood". These reflect the four principle fields of professional employment toward which the program is geared and indicate the breadth of academic training.
• The first semester deals with the fundamentals of the discipline and its methodologies. These are complemented by an internship and "cross-disciplinary competencies".
• In the second and third semesters, students choose three of the six available specialist areas: "Wood as raw/building material", "Mountain forestry", "Forest management", "International forestry", "Site assessment and use" as well as "Landscape development and nature conservation". In addition to the choice of specialist areas, the extensive range of available elective modules offers flexibility and the opportunity to create an individual profile without neglecting the breadth of training.
• The fourth semester is devoted to the master's thesis. 

In detail:

• Overview degree program structure
• Module catalog: Description of program content

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient German language skills if you wish to apply for this program. Evidence of your language proficiency has to be submitted before the end of the application deadline. Learn more about recognized certificates and other ways to prove your German language skills.

This evidence of your language proficiency confirms that you comply with the minimum language requirements for admission to the program. Depending on the program and your individual background, it may be necessary for you to keep working on your language skills during your studies. Be sure to take a look at the services of our Language Center.   

Language of instruction:

The language of instruction for this program is German.

• Information on exams
• Information on studying abroad
• Information on internships

The tuition fees for international students from third countries for this degree program are 4,000 euros per semester. This amount is charged for full-time study. Tuition fees are charged proportionately for part-time study.

Many international students can have their fees waived or receive scholarships to finance them. You can find all information on waivers and scholarships here.

Please note: The semester fee as a contribution to the student union must be paid additionally. It varies depending on where you are studying. You can find all information on the semester fee here.

Minimum requirements to apply for a Master's program at TUM are a recognized undergraduate degree (e.g. a bachelor’s) and the successful completion of the aptitude assessment procedure. Aptitude assessment allows the TUM school or department to which you are applying the opportunity to evaluate your individual talents and motivation for study.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents.

If you receive an offer of admission, you will additionally have to submit individual documents as notarized hardcopies by post to be enrolled.

Generally, applicants with a qualification for postgraduate studies (e.g. a bachelor’s) obtained outside of the EU / EEA must have their documents reviewed in advance through uni-assist.

In detail:

• Applying for a master’s program: Application, admission requirements and more
• Important information about your application from the TUM school or department

• Degree Certificate and Diploma or Subject and Grade Transcript of Studies to Date
• Transcript of Records
• Proof of German Language Proficiency
• Curricular Analysis
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Passport
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) if the qualification for graduate studies (e.g. a bachelor's) is obtained outside the EU/EEA

We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your country of origin. Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents. 

• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Degree Certificate and Diploma (certified copy)
• Transcript of Records (certified copy)
• Most Current Photo (as for ID)
• Digital notification of your health insurance status from a German public health insurance provider (requested by applicant)

We may require additional documents depending on the type of educational background you earned and your country of origin. After accepting an offer of admission in TUMonline, you will receive a list of documents you must submit to TUM in hardcopy for enrollment.

Application period for winter semester: 01.04. – 31.05. 

Information about applying for a higher subject semester

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents. Please be aware that we can only process your application if you upload all required documents within the application period.

We will review your application as soon as it is complete. Please check your TUMonline account regularly, to see if we have any queries to your documents or if you have to amend one or more documents.

After receiving admission, you will see in TUMonline which documents you have to submit for enrollment, and in which form. Please note that you always have to send the signed application for enrollment and all notarized hardcopies by post.

We recommend that you submit the documents for enrollment as soon as possible after receiving admission. If individual documents are not available by then, you can submit them up to 5 weeks after the start of the lecture period. You will, however, only be enrolled once we have received all documents.

You can check the status of your application at any time in your TUMonline account.

Selection takes place through an aptitude assessment procedure. Aptitude assessment is a two-part procedure after the submission of an official application to a program. In this procedure, the TUM school or department determines whether you meet the specific requirements for its master’s degree program.

In the initial stages, the grades you obtained during your bachelor's program, as well as your written documents, will be evaluated using a point system. Depending on the amount of points accumulated, applicants are either immediately admitted, rejected or invited to an admissions interview. 

• Aptitude Assessment for Master
• Desciption of the Aptitude Assessment (appendix, German) (PDF 336 KB)