Bachelor's degree programme in Sustainable Forest Bioeconomy

Are you passionate about nature and forests, and committed to addressing global sustainability challenges?

Embrace a brighter future by joining the International Bachelor's Degree in Sustainable Forest Bioeconomy (SuFoBe). This three-year programme will give you the knowledge and working-life skills for the effective and sustainable management of forests, while addressing global sustainability challenges such as climate change, overconsumption, and biodiversity loss. It will give you competence to work at the wide sector of forest bioeconomy.

As a graduate, you will be proficient in applying fundamental research methods in the forest, and digitalized learning environments as well as knowledgeable on how foresight methods can be used to assess future of forest-related topics. Join our community of experts, peers, and local bioeconomy companies.

A lively university city in the middle of nature with a world of opportunities is awaiting you in Joensuu. Find yourself here and discover why Joensuu is called "the Forest Capital of Europe"!

For more info about the structure of the studies, instructions on how to apply and direct link to the application please scroll down.

Key information

Level of degree: Bachelor's degree
Programme duration: 3 years full-time / 180 ECTS credits
Language of instruction: English
Next application period: Annually in January
Programme start: Beginning of September
The annual tuition fee: for non-EU/EEA students is €10,000. Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland are exempt from paying tuition fees.
Tuition waivers: 30% Early Bird discount €3,000 on first-year tuition for 2027 intake students who pay within 21 days of admission offer. 30% second-year waiver is available based on 55 ECTS completed in the first year. More details here.
Study campus: Joensuu

Why study with us?

Shape your path based on knowledge and practice:
• Understand the vital role of forests in global sustainability challenges.
• Gain practical experience in managing forest resources sustainably.
• Benefit from field practices, ICT -tools, and digitalized learning environments to drive positive change.

Join our webinar 10 November

We warmly welcome you to our webinar, where you get to learn more about our programme, the admission requirements and meet our staff and students.

Studies

Studies cover core areas of sustainable forest bioeconomy including forest ecology, biodiversity and management, forest mensuration and remote sensing, forest technology, wood science, innovation, economics and policy. Sustainability is emphasized throughout the programme.

The programme has also a special focus on information and communication technology and their applications to sustainable forest management. These focus areas are unique among forestry programmes globally and will provide you with good competence in evolving job markets of forestry and environmental management.

Your own selection for a minor subject enables you to build your specialization e.g., computer sciences, sustainable business, social sciences, environmental policy.

Structure of the studies

The structure of the programme is module- based. Every module contains several courses.

Year 1. Introduction to the fundamentals and methods of forest bioeconomy, sustainability and university life

Fundamentals of sustainable forest bioeconomy
Forest bioeconomy analytics
Diverse communities, responsibility and ethics

Year 2. Ensuring sustainability through the dimensions of the forest bioeconomy

Sustainable and integrated management of forest ecosystems
Technology for forestry
Forest and society

Year 3. Towards the professional path

Regional development and networking studies
Exchange period
Minor studies (free election)

Additional components

The programme includes studies in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), language and communication studies, field practices, bachelor's thesis and professional Internship
For more detailed information on the course offer please visit the following page: UEF_Peppi_Course offer 26-27

After graduation

As a graduate you can apply to continue your studies towards the master level in Joensuu e.g., in the internationally recognized Master of Science in European Forestry; Master's degree programme in forestry (including Transatlantic forestry) or other relevant master at UEF or elsewhere. You can also direct your career towards becoming a forester, forest specialist, forest-data scientist, GIS and remote sensing analyst, climate change manager, forest ecosystems services specialist, REDD+ project manager, forest conservation and restoration specialist, sustainability specialist, CSR coordinator, environmental specialist, bio-based R&D scientist, ecosystem carbon specialist or forestry policy expert among a wide variety of professions.

How to apply

General eligibility criteria

In most cases, applicants who are eligible to pursue higher education in their home country are also eligible to apply for bachelor's level studies in Finland. To be eligible for admission to a bachelor's programme at the University of Eastern Finland, applicants must submit their application during the official admission period. The following documents must be uploaded as attachments during the application process:

Certificate of completed upper secondary education (or higher education degree) Eligibility Based on Educational Background
Proof of English language proficiency Language Requirements

Programme-specific application process and student selection

Admission is based on:

Entrance Examination Course (online)
Video Interview

Entrance Examination Course

The entrance examination course is an online introduction to Sustainable Forest Bioeconomy, covering topics such as forest ecology, biodiversity, forest management, mensuration, remote sensing, wood technology, forest economics and policy, as well as analytical methods in forest sciences. The course is hosted on Digicampus platform and must be completed online using a computer (mobile devices are not supported). It opens on 9 February 2027 at 9:00 AM (UTC+2) and closes on 2 March 2027 at 11:59 PM (UTC+2). Access rights for the course will be sent to the applicants after the application period, at the latest on 4th of February.

The total score for the entrance examination course is 50 points, divided equally between a mathematical part (25 points) and a theoretical part (25 points). To qualify for the video interview, applicants must score at least 25 points in total and complete both parts/exams.

Based on the course results, the top 60 applicants (according to the course points) will be invited to participate in the video interview.

Video Interview

The video interviews will take place between 19 and 28 March 2027. The interview is scored out of 50 points, with the following breakdown:

Motivation: 18 points
Competences (e.g. language and interaction skills): 16 points
Knowledge of the entrance examination course content: 16 points

Applicants must score at least 25 points in the interview to be considered for admission.

Final Admission Decision

Admission is based on the combined score from the entrance examination course and the video interview, with a maximum total of 100 points. To be eligible, applicants must complete and pass both parts, scoring at least 50% in each.

Note: Applicants are responsible for ensuring they have a stable internet connection and a functional computer for both the course and the interview.

Application documents

Applicants must upload high-quality scans of their 1) original educational documents, 2) proof of English language proficiency to their electronic application during the application period. Paper copies are not required at the first application stage. Instructions on Studyinfo must be followed, and all documents submitted by the given deadlines.

Students in the final semester of their studies are eligible to apply. Their admission will be conditional until graduation is confirmed. For details, see: Eligibility Based on Educational Background

Copy of passport or residence permit card

Applicants must upload a copy of their passport's ID page or their ID card, or upload copies of both sides of their residence permit card to the online application form.

General information on types of documents and how to submit them.

Document verification for accepted students

All applicants are conditionally admitted pending verification of their educational documents*. To finalize admission, students must submit verified copies of their degree certificates or diplomas by the specified deadlines. The university will assess the authenticity and eligibility of all submitted documents. Failure to verify documents will result in cancellation of the conditional admission. *Degrees completed at a Finnish university or university of applied sciences, as well as the Finnish matriculation examination, are verified through the national database.

There are several ways to submit documents for verification:

Educational documents shared through electronic credential services
Electronically signed or verified educational documents
Educational documents sent by e-mail by the awarding institution
Educational paper documents sent by post

We recommend using electronic verification methods. For detailed instructions, deadlines and tips, please refer to verification of official documents.

Tuition fees and waivers (2027 intake)

The annual tuition fee for non-EU/EEA students is €10,000. Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland are exempt from tuition fees. UEF's tuition waiver programme is designed to provide partial support towards tuition fees. Students are expected to have sufficient personal funds to cover the remaining tuition fees and living expenses throughout their studies in Finland.

First year: Early Bird (EB) discount – 30% (€3,000)
To qualify, students must accept their offer of admission and pay the full tuition fee or first instalment within 21 days of the publication of the admission results. UEF does not offer any other tuition waivers or discounts that can be applied to the first year of study.

Second and third years: Tuition waiver – 30% (€3,000)
Available to students who complete at least 55 ECTS credits during their first academic year. A separate application period is organized after the first year of studies for students wishing to apply for the tuition waiver.

Finnish Proficiency Tuition Waiver – €1,500/€2,500
Students can apply for this one-time tuition waiver during their studies at UEF, based on their progress in Finnish language studies. There are separate application periods throughout the academic year.

More detailed information about tuition fees and waivers.

Other National Fees: In addition to tuition fees, degree students are required to pay the Student Union membership fee and the Kela student healthcare fee. Please also note: a national application fee is collected from applicants from countries outside EU/EEA.

Application period 2027

Our application period is open from 7 January 2027 at 8:00 AM (UTC+2) to 21 January 2027 at 3:00 PM (UTC+2). The application is completed and submitted online.

Apply via Studyinfo

Studyinfo.fi is the official national admissions portal with all the up-to-date information about study programmes leading to a degree in Finland. Click the box link on the right.