Master's Degree Programme in Forestry aims to promote the ecologically and socially sustainable use of nature resources. We provide you high quality and diversified training in forestry and bioenergy, with emphasis on social and ecological sustainability.
The working language is English. The extent of these two-year long studies is 120 ECTS points.
Our programme welcomes applications from persons who hold a Bachelor's or comparable degree in forest or related science.
For instructions on how to apply and a direct link to the application form on Studyinfo, please scroll down. The next application period is open 3 - 17 Jan 2024.
Key information
- Level of degree: Master's degree
- Programme duration: 2 years / 120 ECTS credits
- Language of instruction: English
- Application period: 3.1.2024 - 17.1.2024
- Programme start: September 2024
- Tuition fee: EU/EEA nationals no tuition fee; non-EU/EEA nationals 8,000 €/academic year
- Tuition waivers available for everyone
- Study campus: Joensuu
Why study with us?
- Gain expertise in renewable natural resources – with a strong international focus
- Teaching based on high level scientific research
Studies
The Master's Degree Programme in Forestry is a two-year MSc programme. Upon your graduation, you will be awarded a Master of Science (Agriculture and Forestry) degree. During the two years you'll be spending with us, you'll get to know our excellent staff members and you'll be spending a lot of time in our state-of-the-art learning environments. Our programme comprises lectures, course work, projects and independent study.
Master's degree programme in Forestry consists of studies comprising 120 ECTS. It takes two years to complete the degree.
You can find the descriptions of the courses available at UEF in Smart Start Guide Book.
Information and the forms related to the MSc thesis work at UEF can be found at the School of Forest Sciences Study Community: Master's thesis (login required)
Master's theses at MSc Forestry programme
The theses written at UEF can be found as e-publications here.
Baral, Yamuna. 2012. Perspective of forestry professionals on bioenergy production in Nepal. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Barrios Becerra, Alejandro. 2019. Usability of satellite data based forest canopy density maps using LiDAR data as reference data for forest fires management purposes. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Bhatt, Vijay Dev. 2021. Effect of boron fertilization on fiber properties and branchiness of Norway spruce. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Bolabolov, Aleksei. 2020. Limiting factors for usage of containerized seedlings (CSs) in forestregeneration in Russian Republic of Karelia (RoK). Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Botcula, Anna. 2018. Effects of forest management and tree species on the nest carbon balance of forest biomass production and timber utilization in boreal conditions. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Chaudhary, Aelish. 2021. Perception of forestry professionals towards the household biogas energy users: Reasons behind the limited use and future of household biogas energy in Nepal. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
da Silva Reis Prado, Thaís. 2019. Drought sensitivity of silver fir and Scots pine over the 20th century in northern Czech Republic. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Davison, Nicholas. 2016. Implications of reforesting industrial pasture land in Brazil. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Evstishenkov, Nikolai. 2017. Development of short-rotation willow plantation for waterwaste purification: Case Outokumpu. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Gutman, Mariia. 2015. Testing of the Russian version of MOTTIKarelia decision support system. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Hiltunen, Antti. 2015. The effect of cost on planning forest road network with flow accumulation method and graph - a contrastive analysis. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Holubeu, Aliaksandr. 2013. Application of GIS technology for efficient forestry management on example Russian company. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Livitchuk, Anastasia. 2020. Development of bioenergy in the North-West Region of Russia. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Lopatina, Anna. 2013. Rapid assessment of energy biomass resources using aerial photographs from unmanned aerial vehicles. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Kiss, Katalin. 2014. Forest road quality detection based on Lidar data. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Kolosovskaya, Tatiana. 2017. An analysis of forest management non-conformities in FSC-certified companies operating in Russia. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Kuzmin, Anton. 2012. Application of low-cost unmanned aerial vehicle for individual tree height measurements. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Magliui, Konstantin. 2018. Wood flows and wood balance in Northwest Russia. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Malykhina, Ekaterina. 2017. Comparative analysis of system planning and conducting a sustainable forestry in Finland and on the north-west of Russia. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Maximova, Julia. 2014. Potential opportunities and threats for the Russian forest sector caused by the membership in the world trade organization. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Muñoz Hidalgo, Isabel. 2013. Social safeguards in the context of Ghana's FLEGT-VPA: A case study based on perspectives of key experts and community representatives. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Neshataeva, Elena. 2014. Impact of the EU timber regulation on Russian companies exporting wood and wood based products. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Nousiainen, Mitja. 2019. Helping users find suitable ecosystem service decision support tools - a disaggregative approach. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Ojha, Sonam. 2021. Community forestry in Nepal - An A'WOT analysis. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Palojärvi, Emilia. 2015. Outlook for residential wood construction in Europe - A back casting approach. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Papamatthaiakis, Nikolaos. 2018. Assessment of Igniscum® (Fallopia sachalinensis var. 'Igniscum' and Sida (Sida hermaphrodita) as raw material for pellet production in Finland: cultivation and chemical and physical characteristics, Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Peris Llopis, Marina. 2019. Characterization of forest fires in Eastern Spain - Modelling the proposition of burnt area, Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Pirttilahti, Maria. 2013. Finnish Mechanical Forest Industry SME Perceptions of Export Barriers to Russia, University of Helsinki.
Plevak, Kseniia. 2019. Automatic segmentation of forest stands using sentinel-2 and tandem-x data. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Ramirez Lopez, Alejandra. 2020. Wood contribution in earthquake-resistant buildings: a literature review. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Ren, Lu. 2011. Water resistance of wood-based energy pellets - development of methodology and examples. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Romashkin, Ivan. 2016. The effect of thermal sums gradient on the occurrence of epidemic Ips typographus outbreaks in European part of Russia. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Saramäki, Teemu. 2013. Profitability of forestry in Finland and in Russia. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Schraik, Daniel. 2018. Estimating leaf area index from satellite images in boreal forest using a reflectance model. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Senko, Sergei. 2014. Prospects for Nordic intensive forest management solutions in Karelia. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Serbina, Valeriya. 2018. Optical satellite imagery based canopy cover estimation in tropical dryland forest of Senegal. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Sharif, Seikh Mahbub. 2020. Lignocellulosic crop production in arable lands in Northern Europe: review on production area and environmental effects. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Solis Parejo, José. 2021. UAV as remote sensing emergent tool in the forest sector. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Tanke, Aba Samson. 2010. Forest owners perspective and attitude towards bioenergy in Eno and Tuupovaara. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Taskila, Anna. 2019. Forest professionals in the face of climate change. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Thapaliya, Mahesh. 2010. Structure and growth analysis of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) on mires. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Tináková, Daniela. 2019. Analysis and characteristics of the forest conflicts in Europe. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Trishkin, Maxim. 2011. The analysis of efficiency of forest chip transportation from Russian Karelia to Finland. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Trofimencoff, Natalie. 2012. Pellet production - Establishing the development of the pellet industry in Russia using Canada and Finland as a benchmark. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Ulianova, Kseniia. 2019. Effects of forest management on timber production in Scots pine, Norway spruce and Silver birch stands in Moscow area based on forest ecosystem model simulations.
Vabamäe, Toomas. 2015. Spruce and pine sawnwood import to Estonia: Econometric analysis using times series data. Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
Voyto, Artur. 2013. Automatic tree species recognition using high resolution remote sensing data from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Faculty of Science and Forestry, University of Eastern Finland.
The objectives of the Joint thesis seminar are to obtain knowledge on scientific research processes, to get practice on written and oral research reporting, to get acquainted with receiving academic feedback and to develop academic skills on critical evaluation and reflection.
To pass the Joint thesis seminar you need to participate in online thesis seminars, to present your MSc thesis research plan and your final MSc thesis, and to write a reflective report on your thesis research process. Instructions can be found in Moodle course site (login required).
Thesis seminar presentations
Please note that the presentations and the discussion forum related to the presentations 1 January 2016 onwards will be available in Moodle course site (login required).
The seminars which are open each time are announced to the students by email.
General instructions
General information and instructions and related forms can be found at the School of Forest Sciences Study Community: Guides and instructions (login required).
Forms
Traineeship
You can find the relevant forms is instructions in Kamu and in the School of Forest Sciences Study Community: Practical training (login required).
MSc thesis
Information and the forms related to the thesis work at UEF can be found at the School of Forest Sciences Study Community: Master's thesis (login required).
Guidelines how to submit your thesis for evaluation in Kamu Student handbook.
Graduation
Instructions for graduation can be found at School of Forest Sciences Study Community (login required).
Answers to frequently asked questions concerning MSc Forestry programme
1. What are the language proficiency requirements?
Good command of English language is a basic requirement for admission. For further information regarding to the admission requirements of the University of Eastern Finland see the admission requirements.
2. If I am selected, how and when do I apply for accommodation?
The Student Housing Office, Joensuun Elli, offers accommodation for the students in the shared 3-5 room apartments where each student occupies a single room. The residents of each apartment share a kitchen and a bathroom with a shower. The average monthly rent is approximately 140-350 EUR/month.
Note that each accepted student needs to apply for accommodation as soon as she/he has decided to accept his/her study place. It is not possible for two students to live in one single room and, therefore, it is essential that each student sends his/her own accommodation application. It is also important to accept the received offer as otherwise one might end up not having accommodation.
More information and a link to the application form in the web pages of The Student Housing Office Joensuun Elli.
3. Do I need to apply for a Finnish residence permit?
If you come from non-EU countries and your home university will be the University of Eastern Finland, you need to apply for Finnish residence permit. Information on residence permits in Finland can be found at the web pages of the Finnish Immigration Service.
4. How do I register as a present student at the University of Eastern Finland?
Together with your admission letter you will receive instructions how and when you are able to make the registration. General information about the registration and practical issues related to studies at UEF can be found at Kamu Student Handbook.
5. Do I need an insurance?
Insurance: The University of Easter Finland expects that the students arriving to study at UEF, have an adequate insurance. Also the requirements of the residence permit include that the student has an adequate insurance. Please read more here.
In addition for the general information about Finnish society and living in Finland, check Infopankki website.
How to apply?
Basic admission requirements
Basic admission requirements include:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent in forest sciences or related sciences
- Good command of English language.
The on-line application form must be filled in and the required enclosures need to be attached (in pdf format) with the on-line application. At the application state we require only scanned enclosures attached (uploaded) to the application form. Paper copies are not required during the application period. Please see further instructions and how to submit your application documents HERE. The recommendation letters can be attached with the online application form OR they can be sent by email directly to the programme coordinator, Ms. Marjoriitta Möttönen (marjoriitta.mottonen(at)uef.fi) by the referee. The required enclosures are:
a. The scanned copy of the original degree certificate (in the original language) and an English, Finnish or Swedish translation of the degree certificate, see admission requirements below
b. The scanned copy of the original transcript of records (in the original language) and an English, Finnish or Swedish translation of the transcript of records, see admission requirements below
c. English language certificate, see admission requirements below
d. Two recommendation letters, use the template provided below:
e. A copy of passport (not required from Finnish applicants)
f. Curriculum vitae
g. Possible document giving you an exemption from paying tuition fee
In addition, as a part of the admission requirements, in the application form you will be requested to write a motivation letter (max. 1000 characters) and include information about your work experience (max. 500 characters) and international experience (max. 500 characters).
Admission requirements
1. Degree requirements
All applicants should have a Bachelor's Degree in forest sciences corresponding to at least 3 years' of full-time academic studies (equivalent of 180 ECTS credit units in the Finnish university system) obtained at an internationally recognised and accredited university or higher education institution. Applicants with a degree in the related field or with a BSc Degree issued by the University of Applied Sciences can also be eligible but they may have to take complementary studies in forest sciences of max. 60 ECTS credits if they are admitted. These studies will not be included in the Master's Degree, but are an addition to it.
Temporary (provisional) degree certificate
A temporary (provisional) degree certificate is a document issued by an institution to a student who has successfully completed all studies included in the degree. The student has graduated. The temporary degree certificate is issued as a replacement for the actual degree certificate e.g. in case the actual degree certificate cannot be given to the student immediately after the studies have been completed due to technical or administrative reasons. The temporary degree certificate should include the name of the institution awarding the degree, the date of issue, and the name of the person to whom the degree certificate has been issued and which title/degree the person has been awarded. A temporary (provisional) degree certificate is accepted if it was awarded no more than five years earlier. The five-year validity period begins from the date on which the degree was conferred and must not expire prior to the application deadline. In other words, a temporary degree certificate is not accepted if it was awarded more than five years ago. In such cases, the applicant must present his or her final degree certificate.
Statement issued by the university
In case, the applicant has not yet received a BSc Degree certificate by the admission deadline, a statement issued by the applicant's university is also accepted as a replacement of the actual degree certificate. This statement should include the name of the institution which is going to award the degree, the expected date of issue (graduation), and the name of the person to whom the degree certificate will be awarded. The final deadline to submit the actual degree certificate to the programme coordinator at the University of Eastern Finland is 28.7.2023 (students who will be admitted in 2023).
Requirements for the educational documents and their translations
2. Language requirements
Applicants are required to have sufficient English language proficiency. Applicants' language skills will be deemed sufficient if their Finnish Bachelor's degree includes compulsory studies in English or if they have:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree (or higher) conducted in English language EU or ETA country or in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom or United States.
- Secondary education conducted in English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom or United States.
Furthermore, the following standardised language tests passed with the minimum grade or score specified below will be considered proof of sufficient English skills:
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 92 on the internet-based test (iBT) or TOEFL iBT Home Edition*
- The International English Language Testing System (IELTS or IELTS indicator**): overall score 6.5
- PTE (Pearson Test of English): 62
- C1 Advanced (former CAE): overall score of 176
- C2 Proficiency (former CPE): overall score of 180
*The University of Eastern Finland also accepts TOEFL iBT Home Edition test results. Please check the equipment and environment requirements from ETS websites.
**The University of Eastern Finland also accepts IELTS Indicator test results for the time being.
In addition, a certificate or proof of adequate language skills agreed with the programme coordinator is accepted.
You will begin the application process on the national Studyinfo portal. Application form is available at studyinfo.fi only when the call for applications is open (4 January 2023 - 18 January 2023 at 15:00 (GMT +2)). Go to Studyinfo portal and begin the application.
You must fill in the online application and submit it with the required scanned enclosures. We will not process application documents that have arrived after the deadline.
For more information about how to apply.
Application instructions in a nutshell
- When the application period begins, fill in the online application form and make sure you have attached the required application enclosures (in pdf format). At the application state we require only scanned enclosures attached (uploaded) to the application form. Paper copies are not required during the application period.
-
The recommendation letters can be attached with the online application form OR they can be sent by email directly to the programme coordinator, MS. Marjoriitta Möttönen (marjoriitta.mottonen(at)uef.fi) by the referee.
Should you have any questions about completing your application, please contact our Admissions Office, admissions[at]uef.fi, tel. +358 29 445 8990. In case you have questions concerning the application requirements, please contact Ms Marjoriitta Möttönen, email. marjoriitta.mottonen(at)uef.fi, tel. +358 (0) 50 442 3031.
Application documents will not be returned to the applicant.
Further information on application procedure at the University of Eastern Finland.
Selection criteria
All eligible applications will be evaluated according to five selection criteria:
- Academic excellence (0-5 points)
- Prestige and level of the home university (0-5 points)
- Relevant studies and other background (e.g. work experience, international experience and other projects) (0-5 points)
- Recommendation letters (0-5 points)
- Motivation (0-5 points)
Whenever two or more applicants have the same total points, the one who has higher points in academic excellence will be placed first. The best 10 applicants according to the ranking list will be selected to the programme and the others will be rejected.
Admission results for the application rounds in 2023
The university will carry out the student selection and inform the selected applicants on their admission results by latest on 31 March 2023 by email. Admitted students can request paper documents sent by mail if needed. The non-selected applicants will be informed only by email.
Admitted international students should inform whether they accept their study place by latest on 14 July 2023. Studies will begin with the orientation programme at the beginning of September.
Verification of original documents
We require that all admitted applicants submit their original degree certificates for verification upon arrival in Finland.
Selected students who are unable to deliver the electronically certified final diploma and transcript of records during the application period will be selected on a conditional basis. Students who accept the study place are required to provide officially certified copies of the degree certificate and final transcript of records, or submit them according to country-specific document requirements, by 11.8.2023 at the latest. If the required documents do not arrive on time or cannot be verified electronically by the deadline, the study place will be cancelled.
NB! There are country-specific document requirements in place for academic qualifications awarded in certain countries. If your degree is completed in a country that has country-specific requirements, you must submit your educational documents following the relevant country-specific instructions.
Tuition fees
The Master's Degree Programme in Forestry does not charge tuition fees from citizens of EU/EEA countries*. However, following a decision by the Finnish Government, tuition fees will be charged from citizens of non-EU/EEA countries from autumn 2017 onwards. For non-EU/EEA students required to pay tuition, the University of Eastern Finland offers a generous and attractive scholarship scheme, which can cover their tuition fee partially. Please see the tuition fees page for further information.
In MSc Forestry the tuition fee is 8000 euros per academic year for non-EU/ETA students.
We also encourage you to visit our website for new students, which has been designed to answer many of the questions you may have.
* EU countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Northern Ireland and Gibraltar.
EEA countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Switzerland (non EU/EEA).
Tuition fee waivers at UEF
For the studies beginning in autumn 2023, all selected students who are required to pay a tuition fee, will get a partial tuition fee waiver. This waiver will cover 70 % of the tuition fee. This tuition fee waiver will not be paid to the student and does not cover any travel or accommodation costs.
The university grants a tuition fee waiver for the maximum period of two academic years. The condition for a fee waiver for the second academic year is to complete a minimum of 55 ECTS during the first academic year according to the curriculum of the programme (credit transfer not accepted). If the student has not completed a minimum of 55 ECTS during the first academic year according to the curriculum of the programme, the tuition waiver for the second academic year will be cancelled.
For more information about tuition fees and tuition fee waivers, please see also the web pages for the new students at UEF.
Services provided by UEF
UEF offers all students - irrespective of whether they are required to pay tuition or not - a range of services that take off some of the financial burden on the student. The cost of living in Finland is relatively high and students are expected to cover these independently and have access to sufficient funds (this will be checked at the time of applying for/renewing your residence permit).
For example, students have free access to the collections of the University Library, there are computers and a free WiFi on campus available to students, as well as a number of other supporting services designed to facilitate the everyday life of our students. And last but definitely not least, membership in the Student Union comes with a variety of leisure time activities organised for free by, for example, your field's subject association. Membership in the Student Union is mandatory for all degree-seeking students. For further information and annual updates about the exact amount of the student union fee, please see the website of the Student Union.
Application period 2023
Our application period is open from 4 January 2023 to 18 January 2023. 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.
Finland Scholarship
Finland Scholarship
Master's degree programme. The scholarship includes a 100% tuition waiver and a € 5 000 relocation grant.
Student life and stories
Learn more about our student and alumni stories, studying at the UEF, our university and its campuses, and life in Finland!
Contacts
Founded in 1982, the School of Forest Sciences at the University of Eastern Finland is an international research and education centre, providing the highest level of expertise in forestry and related sciences. The School of Forest Sciences is an internationally renowned research and education centre which produces highly competent and responsible professionals with excellent management skills for forestry and other environmental management fields for Finland and the rest of the world. The School's situation in the City of Joensuu places it at the core of a dynamically developing national centre of expertise in the forest, wood, and environmental sciences as well as education.
The School of Forest Sciences has over 300 undergraduates and approximately 80 post-graduate students. Each autumn about 70 new forestry students begin their studies.
Studies
MSc Forestry students major in European forestry and they can specialize in A. Management and ecology of forest ecosystems or B. Forest technology and economics.
Research priorities
The research priorities in our school are:
- Effects of climate change on forests
- Forest ecology and biodiversity
- Multi-objective and participatory forest planning
- Wood science
- Wood procurement
- Forest resource inventory and GIS
- Economic evaluation of forest benefits
- Forest economy and marketing
- Forest energy and its procurement
