Are you passionate about nature and forests, curious about the world of forest bioeconomy, and committed to addressing global sustainability challenges?
Embrace a brighter future by joining the International Bachelor's Degree in Sustainable Forest Bioeconomy (SuFoBe). This programme will give you the knowledge and the necessary working-life skills for the effective and sustainable management of forests, considering multiple ecosystem services, while addressing global sustainability challenges such as climate change, overconsumption, and biodiversity loss.
You will become proficient in applying fundamental research methods in forests and digitalized learning environments. Join our lively community of experts, peers, and local bioeconomy companies and get connected. Additionally, you can study a term abroad during the last year at one of our partner universities.
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 calling itself "the Forest Capital of Europe"!
Key information
- Level of degree: Bachelor's degree
- Programme duration: 3 years / 180 ECTS credits
- Language of instruction: English
- Next application period: 3.1.2024-17.1.2024
- Programme start: September 2024
- Tuition fee: EU/EEA nationals no tuition fee; non-EU/EEA nationals 10,000 €/academic year.
- Tuition waivers available for everyone
- Study campus: Joensuu
Why study with us?
Shape your path based on knowledge and practice:
• Understand the vital role of forests in global safety and sustainability challenges.
• Gain practical experience in managing sustainably forest resources.
• Explore the combined power of the field practices and digitalized learning environments to drive positive change.
Studies
Studies cover core areas of sustainable forest bioeconomy including forest ecology, biodiversity and management, forest mensuration and remote sensing, forest technology, wood science, economics and policy. Sustainability is emphasized throughout the programme but specially within the sustainability studies where special focus is also given to forests and its contribution to people's well-being.
Additionally within the studies, you can select a minor subject of a relevant discipline to build on your specialization e.g., sustainable futures, computer sciences, social sciences and language and communication studies to assist you in forging your future career and improving language skills required in Finland or/and abroad.
First year: Explore the fundamentals of forest bioeconomy, sustainability and forest analytics.
Second year: Dive into core topics such as sustainable forest management and ecology, forest mensuration and digitalization, climate-smart forestry, forest policy and economics, wood science and technology and innovation.
Third year (Professional Paths): forge your professional path with regional and networking studies (includes a minor subject to built on your specialization), bachelors thesis, and the possibility to acquired hands-on experience through international exchange.
As a graduate you can continue your studies towards the master level in Joensuu e.g., in the internationally recognized Master of Science in European Forestry; Master's degre programme of forestry (including Transatlantic forestry) or other relevant master at UEF or elsewhere. You can also continue your career in industry research, development and entrepreneurship, governmental and non-governmental organisations, international cooperation, or advocacy within the field. You will excel in applying your knowledge to solve intricate forestry-related issues.
How to apply
In order to check the eligibility of an applicant for the programme, the applicant has to submit an application and the following application documents:
• Certificate of upper secondary education degree (see more below)
- Language certificate (see below: “language requirements”)
*Please notice that any other documents different from those asked above attached to the applications will not be read.
Secondary education certification
Eligible applicants hold an upper secondary education certificate:
• Finnish matriculation examination
• International Baccalaureate degree (IB)
• European Baccalaureate degree (EB)
• Deutsches Internationales Abitur degree (DIA) or Reifeprüfung degree (RP) in Finland
• A Finnish vocational upper secondary qualification, further vocational qualification or specialist vocational qualification as set in the Vocational Education Act (531/2017)
• any other comparable upper secondary educational qualification which provides eligibility for university-level Bachelor’s studies in the country in question.
• Advanced International Certificate of Education degree (AICE) in Finland, or has the right to study towards a university degree in Finland, or holds a degree conferred by a Finnish higher education institution or at least a Bachelor level degree conferred by a foreign institution.
Applicants who are in the final semester of their upper secondary education are also eligible to apply.
Applicants who complete their upper secondary education after the application period are selected conditionally. University will make the final decision based on final degree certificate.
If you are a refugee or your status is comparable to a refugee, and you thus cannot verify your eligibility to higher education with documentation, the university may allow you to take part in an entrance examination for the bachelor’s degree programme. You must have a decision by the authorities regarding your refugee status (decision on asylum or residence permit on the basis of protection), and you must submit a copy of the decision to the Admissions Office on 24 January 2024 at the latest.
Applicants must either (1) meet the language proficiency criteria (see below), OR (2) reach the minimum required language test results to be considered eligible to the University of Eastern Finland. No exceptions will be made.
(1) Applicants who hold one of the following do not have to take an English language test
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Proof of completed secondary or tertiary education taught exclusively in English
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Finnish matriculation examination in English language, minimum grade of magna cum laude approbatur (M)
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International Baccalaureate degree (diploma completed in English, satisfactory completion of A level English exam (literature / language and literature / literature and performance), satisfactory completion of B level English exam, minimum grade of 5 (good).
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EB degree: L1, mother tongue (English) completed successfully OR L2 – or L3 language (English) completed with a minimum score of 7.
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Reifeprüfung (RP) degree (German school of Helsinki) Satisfactory completion of English A (or a similar expected grade from upcoming DIA degree): Written scores are at a satisfactory level AND Oral score being minimum of 8.
A language test is not needed if the applicant’s secondary education was conducted in English or they have completed a university degree or a university of applied sciences degree in English in an EU/EEA country, the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or Switzerland.
The language of instruction of secondary education must be proven with the degree certificate, diploma or transcript. Please note that all teaching and assessments must have been in English entirely.
Online studies or studies completed on offshore campuses outside the accepted countries/area cannot be used to indicate language skills, even if the degree-awarding institution is in one of the accepted countries.
(2) All other applicants have to take one of the following language tests
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TOEFL: minimum score 78 (IBT-test)
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IELTS (academic)-test minimum score 6.0
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PTE (academic)-test minimum score 54
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C1 Advanced score C
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C2 Proficiency minimum score: Level C1
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A National certificate of language proficiency (YKI) (English) of The Finnish National Agency for Education done at level 4 in all different areas.
Some test organisers give an expiration date on the tests. The language test results must be verifiable from the online verification service of the organiser. Language test scores are valid for two years from the day they are issued thus, the language test needs to be in effect during the application period, from 3 January 2022 onwards.
No other degrees or statements of language proficiency will be accepted.
After submitting the certificates of upper secondary education and languague certificate by 24 January at 15:00 pm Finnish time at the latest.
The eligibility of the applicants will be checked and eligible applicants will be announced at the latest by 26 of February at 15:00 pm Finnish time.
The admission to the programme is based on entrance examination course and online interview.
We will publish more information about the Admission process and methods later.
Information on tuition fees and waivers will be published very soon.
Application period 2024
Our application period is open from 3 January 2023 to 17 January 2024. 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.
Contact us
For more information about the programme, please contact us via sustainablefobe@uef.fi