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M.Sc. Forest and Ecosystem Sciences: Application and admission


The Master Programme "Forest and Ecosystem Sciences" (FES) is offered at the Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology since 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).

The application periods can be found here.
After completing the online application, the following documents must be uploaded:

  • 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

Please note: We reserve the right to check the authenticity of your documents in individual cases.

*** Webinar: „How to apply for a DAAD scholarship?” on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 10.00 a.m. (German time) – ZOOM conference ***

Additional application documents for DAAD EPOS scholarship (only non-EU applicants, only study track TIF).
If you intend to apply for the FES study track “Tropical and International Forestry (TIF)” with a DAAD EPOS scholarship, you should read this section carefully.

Requirements for DAAD scholarship:
>> Please find all application requirements at the DAAD webpage.
>> Please find all required application documents on this Checklist.

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.

IMPORTANT:
>> Please have a look for further necessary application documents (see "Application documents" above) required by the admission regulations of the study program.
>> The complete application has to be submitted in English or German to be considered. Documents in other languages and incomplete applications cannot be considered.
>> 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 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).


DAAD-Logo

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 € 860 plus additional payments.
Admission to the Master programme requires a relevant Bachelor's degree with a standard period of study of at least six semesters and a total of at least 180 ECTS credits or an equivalent degree in a programme with a closely related subject at a German university or at a university belonging to one of the Bologna signatory states.
Provisional admission is granted to those who have not yet completed their studies at the time of application, but have acquired at least 150 credits in a relevant Bachelor's degree programme or an equivalent degree programme.
The selection committee decides whether a preliminary (Bachelor) study course is relevant to the subject. The relevance of the previous study course has to be proven by achievements in Forestry or Environmental Sciences, Resource or Ecosystem Management, Life Sciences or Applied Computer Sciences for at least 60 credits.
Candidates whose native language is not English must have a satisfactory knowledge of the English language. Adequate knowledge of English must be demonstrated with standardized or accredited certificates at least at level B2 or higher according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The following in particular serve as proof:

  • 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


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.




Semester Contribution:
Fees are around 400 EUR per semester. The fees include a prepaid semester ticket that entitles students to use regional trains (in Lower Saxony and Bremen) and city buses in Göttingen free of charge. Students of the University of Göttingen receive discounts for cultural events. Meals and drinks are also available at reduced prices at all university canteens.
Fees
Semester ticket

Costs of living:
The average cost of living in Göttingen is modest compared to other major university cities in Germany. Currently, expenses for accommodation, food, health insurance and books are about 850 EUR per month. Please note that fees for health insurance may vary according to age.
Further information

Part time jobs / student jobs:
Students may find a part-time jobs in local businesses or on campus, as long as their study performance is not affected. We do not recommend planning to fully finance your studies in Germany through a part time job.
Please note that restrictions may apply with your scholarship or visa. Non-EU students have special regulations.
More information on student jobs in Germany.
A number of student jobs are also available at the university. They are announced on the website of the Studentenwerk Göttingen.
Foreign applicants should note that it is not easy to find a job in order to finance their studies, as German students are also searching for jobs. Non-EU students are allowed to work for a maximum of 120 full days (240 half days) per year.

Other funding options and scholarships
The Accommodation Service of the International Office supports international students who are enrolled at the University of Göttingen in finding accommodation and serves as a point of contact for related queries. The Accommodation Service also publishes suitable offers from private landlords in Göttingen and collaborates with the Student Services ("Studentenwerk"). As the number of available accommodation options in Göttingen is limited, it is highly recommended to contact the Accommodation Service as early as possible. Further information.
Students from many non-EU countries require a visa to enter Germany. Experience shows that applying for visa appointments and issuing documents can take several months in some countries. It is therefore advisable to take care of visa matters at a very early stage so that you can actually start your studies after a successful application. Further information.