Tropical Forestry Dresden University of Technology

The programme builds on fundamentals in forest management, equipping graduates with expertise in managing socio-ecological systems, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Graduates can analyse human-ecosystem relationships, develop and implement sustainable strategies, resolve land-use conflicts, and communicate effectively across cultures. They possess strong research, leadership, and teamwork skills, enabling them to address global challenges in contemporary tropical forestry and to adapt to future developments.

Aiming to train future leaders and change agents, the programme provides multidisciplinary knowledge from social, natural, and technical sciences. As evidenced from our alumni network, graduates are prepared for senior roles in forestry, government, NGOs, international organisations, consulting, and research, particularly in international and intercultural settings.

In the first two semesters, the module contents equally emphasise social and ecological systems, with the first semester focusing on theory and methodological knowledge of specialised forest subjects. Social system thematic modules are, for instance, forest policy, economics of forest resources, and organisation and management systems. Ecological system thematic modules comprise topics such as silviculture in the tropics, forest ecology for silviculture and nature conservation, and urban forestry.

The third semester integrates and builds upon the modules from the first year. Core modules, including research design and planning as well as project planning and management, bring together the programme’s thematic areas in a synergistic and holistic manner. Students further shape their professional profiles by selecting compulsory elective modules focused on either forest governance or forest management. Additional methodological training is offered in areas such as project planning, conflict management and communication, and agent-based modelling. Throughout the third semester, students develop a comprehensive research plan from scratch, enabling them to effectively design primary data collection and analysis for their own Master's theses.

The last semester is reserved for the Master's thesis, during which fieldwork is conducted in a tropical or subtropical country. Furthermore, it comprises the preparation, elaboration, and defence of the Master’s thesis.

Please see further information on the study contents here: https://tu-dresden.de/bu/umwelt/forst/studium/studiengaenge-der-fachrichtung-forstwissenschaften/master-studiengang-tropical-forestry-and-management/inhalte-des-studiums.

A good balance between knowledge transfer and its practical application characterises the MSc programme in Tropical Forestry. The MSc programme is conducted with lectures, seminars, exercises, e-learning, online seminars, discussions, excursions, and independent studies. Altogether, the two-year programme comprises 120 credits (ECTS), structured in three semesters of attendance studies and one semester of fieldwork and the elaboration and defence of the Master’s thesis. The MSc programme is organised entirely in English in order to enable access for international undergraduates.

Please see the module descriptions here: https://tu-dresden.de/bu/umwelt/forst/studium/studiengaenge-der-fachrichtung-forstwissenschaften/master-studiengang-tropical-forestry-and-management/inhalte-des-studiums.

Internship in a forest organisation as an elective module

Applicants must hold a university degree certificate (at least BSc or an equivalent degree) in forestry, or in a related field, and have at least two years of work experience.

Please provide the following documents in addition to the application documents:

• Research concept note (of two pages, for a possible Master's thesis topic – including a problem statement, research objectives, methodology, timetable, bibliography listing all cited publications)
• For a detailed description of application requirements, please refer to: https://tu-dresden.de/bu/umwelt/forst/studium/studiengaenge-der-fachrichtung-forstwissenschaften/master-studiengang-tropical-forestry-and-management.

Currently, students pay approx. 340 EUR per semester (i.e. for six months). This includes a ticket for public transport and regional trains in all of Germany ("Deutschlandticket"). Additionally, students can use a bike rental service all over the city for free for 30 minutes. The contribution also assures concessions in the university cafeterias and offers benefits (e.g. price reductions) for many cultural and leisure activities in Dresden.

Dresden offers high quality of living at very moderate costs. Currently, students should expect to pay around 850 EUR per month including rent, food, insurance and basic expenses. This figure is relatively low compared to other big German cities.

In order to top up their budget, some students may want to look for temporary work in Dresden. If so, different regulations apply for students from EU member states, countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, and students from outside the European Union and the EEA area. In addition, restrictions on the duration of employment may apply. Professors, lecturers and group leaders involved in the Master's programme may offer students the possibility of working as academic assistants. However, living expenses can be financed only partially through a job as an academic assistant.

Information on scholarships and funding for students is summarised on a dedicated web page of the TU Dresden.

TU Dresden offers plenty of counselling and training within its Career Service to help students with finding professional orientation. They offer workshops to equip students with professional skills and aid to optimise their CV.

Additionally, there are special workshops for international students to get to know the German and Saxon job market and network.

It is still relatively easy to find affordable accommodation in Dresden and Tharandt. Accommodation is available either via the "Studentenwerk Dresden" or on the private market. Rent for a single room in a student residence is approx. 250 EUR per month.
Private housing can be found online. We recommend that you move into a hall of residence at the beginning of your stay. Subsequently, you can look for a place on the private market or in a shared apartment, which is known as a "Wohngemeinschaft" in German.