Process of application and admission
The Master Programme "Forest and Ecosystem Sciences" (FES) will be offered at the Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology for the first time in the winter semester 2020/21. Applicants can choose one of the three major fields of study:
- Ecosystem Analysis and Modelling (EAM)
- Ecosystem Sciences (ES)
- Tropical and International Forestry (TIF) The application is conducted online via an application platform and application documents have to be uploaded afterwards (for further information see below). When and how do I apply for the Master Programme "Forest and Ecosystem Sciences"?
- Admissions to the Master Programme "Forest and Ecosystem Sciences" will start in the winter semester 2020/2021. For applicants from EU / EAA countries:
- Application period for the winter semester: May 1 to Jun 27 For applicants from outside the EU earlier dates apply:
- Application period for the winter semester: Nov 1 to Mar 15 For applicants from outside the EU who intend to apply for a DAAD EPOS Scholarship:
- Application period for the intake in the following year: Sep 1 to Oct 30
- The Diploma(s) of the applicant in certified German or English translations if the originals are not in English or German; if a diploma is not yet available, a certificate stating the work performed, the credits and the provisional average grade must be submitted (you are asked to upload a degree document, a final / provisional transcript of records as well as a grading scale showing the minimum and maximum passing grade)
- A Curriculum vitae in table form in English with a meaningful presentation of the educational background. Please use the Europass CV format
- An indication of the intended major field of study
- Proof of sufficient language skills or evidence of such skills (see "Language requirements" below)
- If applicable, proof of special knowledge, skills and experience or subject-related achievements that are conducive to the successful completion of the Master programme
- A statement of whether the applicant has so far successfully, unsuccessfully or not yet completed a Master Programme of closely related subjects
- The application form (an automatically generated PDF that summarizes the online application entries, which is sent to your email address)
- Only applies to applicants from China, Mongolia and Vietnam: APS Certificate
- Additional attachments if applicable. It is possible to improve your application result by various achievements (see below). Please upload following documents if available and relevant to the application:
- Proof of scholarships or academic prizes
- Proof of a study-related stay abroad
- Proof of Internship, related to your studies, min. 8 weeks, outside university
- Proof of professional training, related to your studies
- Proof of participation in a research project (min. 8 weeks)
- Proof of participation in university boards (min. 1 year)
- Proof of co-authorship of a journal with peer-review-system
- Applicants work at either a public authority or a state or private company in a developing country
- Have at least two years of related professional experience
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree (normally 4 years) in a related subject (Forestry, Biology, Agriculture, Ecology, Geography, etc.)
- Will have completed an academic degree far above average (at least 2nd class upper division)
- His/her respective academic degrees should not be more than 6 years old
- Have an internationally recognized English test score: e.g. IELTS or TOEFL
- DAAD application form (green form): personally signed with current date on each page!
- A recent photograph attached to the application forms
- Full Curriculum Vitae CV (please use the sample europass form: personally signed with current date on each page!
- Please indicate your working experience with the exact time span of employment (month/year), your function/responsibilities
- Please indicate the exact time span of study periods (month/year)
- Please indicate any voluntary work, internships etc.
- Detailed Letter of Motivation (with reference to current occupation and choice of postgraduate programme(s), two pages maximum): personally signed with current date on each page!
- Why would you like to study the MSc Tropical and International Forestry?
- What are your professional aims in future?
- Important: The DAAD EPOS program does not support scientific careers (scientists, lecturers etc.). Applicants who want to become university professors or scientists will not be considered for the programme. IMPORTANT: When applying for more than one postgraduate course (maximum 3 courses), you have to include an explanation in your letter, why you are applying for these specific courses and why you chose that priority. The priority stated in the motivation letter needs to correspond with the priority stated on the DAAD form (see above).
- Letter of recommendation from your current employer; the letter must have letterhead, a signature and official stamp and must be of current date.
- The letter needs to mention the applicants name and qualification, the duration of employment and the tasks worked on.
- The letter should contain the recommenders contact details, heading, date, signature and seal.
- Applicants work at either a public authority or a state or private company in a developing country.
- You need to proof at least two years of professional experience related to the study program! Your job experience should mainly result from employment outside the university and scientific areas.
- Letter of recommendation from your university teacher; the letter must have letterhead, a signature and official stamp and must be of current date.
- The letter needs to mention the applicants name and qualification, the duration of employment and the tasks worked on.
- The letter should contain the recommenders contact details, heading, date, signature and seal.
- Certificate(s) of Employment from the employer(s) that proof a minimum of two years of relevant working experience / practical training (after the bachelor degree) at the time of application and if possible, a guarantee of re-employment from your current employer upon returning home.
- You need to proof at least 2 years of relevant work experience after finishing your studies (student jobs and internships during your studies will not be taken into account).
- Important: The DAAD EPOS program does not support scientific careers (scientists, lecturers etc.). Your experience should mainly result from working in public authority or a state or private company, but not universities.
- The document(s) need to mention the applicants name and position / job title as well as the exact contract duration of employment (month/year) and the employers contact details (address, website). The document(s) should contain heading, date, signature and seal from the employer.
- Proof of English Language Skills: English – IELTS (Band 6) or TOEFL (min. 81) (Note: The institutional TOEFL is not accepted). Please find the detailed language requirements below on that page.
- Copies of Academic Degrees (certified translation if necessary): indicating the name of the degree and the final grade;
- Degree should be far above average (at least 2nd class upper division)
- Bachelor’s degree (4 years) in a related subject (Forestry, Biology, Agriculture, Ecology, Geography, etc.)
- Copies of Academic Transcripts, incl. final numerical grade (certified translation if necessary) indicating the name of the program, the duration of studies (years and numbers of semesters), individual course grades
- Numerical grading scale: An official university document stating the minimum and maximum grade for passing the program >>> All certificates must be accompanied by an explanation of the grading system. If those documents are in any other language than English or German a translation is needed! The accuracy of the translation must be confirmed with a stamp and signature by one of the following authorities: German embassy or consulate, the university which conferred the degree or a sworn translator. Original certificates will not be needed until matriculation at the German institution.
- Applicants from the People’s Republic of China are asked to submit an APS Certificate with their application documents.
- UNIcert®: min. Certificate UNIcert® II
- NULTE-Certificate: min. Niveau B2
- Cambridge English Scale: min. 160 points
- "International English Language Testing System" (IELTS Academic): min. Volume 6
- "Test of English as a Foreign Language, internet-based test” (TOEFL iBT): min. 81 points
- Global Scale of English (Pearson Academic): min. 59 points
At the application date, either a completed Bachelor's degree or at least 150 ECTS credits must be proven. In the case of provisional admission, you can submit your Bachelor's certificate to the Examinations Office by 15.11. (winter semester).
Please note: We reserve the right to check the authenticity of your documents in individual cases. >>> Please note that the application for our study programme does not include a room reservation. You need to apply separately! Due to the housing shortage in Göttingen we recommend applying for a room in a dormitory at this stage already (more info).
Applications have only to be sent via our application platform! Applications sent to the DAAD directly will not be forwarded to the selection committee of the university. You can apply for up to three courses. If applying for more than the TIF course in Goettingen, please list courses in order of priority in the DAAD application forms (see 7. Choice of host university/institution in Germany) and do not change the priorities in the according application form! The DAAD will crosscheck it and all your applications will become void if the priorities differ. Application documents Required documents (in the following order):
Note: Please have a look for further necessary application documents (see "Application documents" above)
IMPORTANT:
The complete applications have to be submitted in English or German to be considered.
Documents in other languages and incomplete applications cannot be considered.
If applying to more than one course, please list courses in order of priority in the DAAD application forms and do not change these priorities in the respective application.
When applying for more than one postgraduate course (maximum 3 courses), you have to submit one motivation letter explaining why you are applying for these specific courses and why you chose that priority.
Please note: We reserve the right to check the authenticity of your documents in individual cases. But please, do not send any hard copy documents to us as long as you are not asked to do so.
Application and Selection Procedure
Step 1: You send your complete application(s) directly to the application portal at the University of Goettingen (a. registration, b. upload of documents) until the application deadline given on the portal.
Step 2: A selection committee suggests potential candidates for a DAAD scholarship.
Step 3: A selection committee will invite shortlisted candidates for a telephone / video conference interview.
Step 4: The suggested candidates will be contacted by DAAD to upload their complete application to the DAAD Portal.
Step 5: The selection process will be finalized, and the suggested candidates will be informed accordingly.
IMPORTANT:
Make sure that you have a copy of each document of your application ready, as those documents (as PDF files) have to be uploaded to the DAAD Portal in case you are suggested for a DAAD scholarship!
>> Please find all application requirements at the DAAD webpage.
>> Please find some FAQs on the DAAD EPOS program.
>>> Please note that the application for our study programme does not include a room reservation. You need to apply separately! Due to the housing shortage in Göttingen we recommend applying for a room in a dormitory at this stage already (more info).
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) supports study programmes that focus on sustainable management of natural resources in developing countries. The organization provides some scholarships for students from developing countries of the MSc programme Forest and Ecosystem Sciences with study track Tropical and International Forestry at the University of Göttingen annually.
The scholarship covers living costs, health insurance, travel costs and German language courses for the whole course (24 months). The monthly allowance is about € 850 plus additional payments.
The successful completion of an English-language course of study lasting at least three years is also accepted as proof of sufficient knowledge of the English language. The proof can be submitted after application deadline but before travelling to Göttingen. It is a prerequisite for enrolment.