General Information
In this research-oriented and strongly transdisciplinary program you will acquire in-depth knowledge of the contents and methods of 'Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation' and develop competencies for solving complex research tasks independently.
The program, which mainly covers natural science (environment and ecology), is supplemented by contents from the fields of the humanities and economics, in particular through the integration of landscape economics and environmental ethics. A substantial proportion of elective modules allow for high individuality and flexibility of your study content and study schedules.
The programme has a research-oriented character, so that you are able to plan, realise, and interpret complex research tasks. Furthermore, you will learn to analyse and evaluate problems of landscape ecology, ecosystems or nature conservation from different points of view.
Graduates of the M.Sc. course Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation can pursue a career in landscape and nature conservation research, national and international nature conservation organisations and associations, landscape planning and consultancy offices, environmental and nature conservation administration or private companies.
Admission and Requirements
Formal academic requirements
Prerequisite for admission is a graduation in a Bachelor degree course in the field of landscape ecology, biology, forestry or agricultural sciences. Graduates of other disciplines can be admitted after a case-by-case review, provided that there is a distinctive relation to environmental or nature conservation. In addition, evidence of English language proficiency at level B2 is a prerequisite for admission - no exceptions.
Application process
There are three type of prospective students: 1) German students, 2) DAAD-EPOS Scholarship applicants and 3) Self-financed students (non-German, and not applying for DAAD-EPOS Scholarship). Depending on the category you belong to, please find detailed information below.
1) Application process for German applicants
Required documents:
• Certificate of first university degree (B.Sc.)
• Transcript of records of first university degree (B.Sc.)
• University entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung, for example Abiturzeugnis)
• Notice on the fulfillment of entrance conditions for the specific subject
• English certificate at level B2 (TOEFL or IELTS)
Complete applications have to be submitted to the web portal his.uni-greifswald.de.
For questions regarding the study program and the application process please contact:
Dr. Michael Manthey: manthey@uni-greifswald.de
2) DAAD-EPOS Scholarships for applicants from developing countries
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a limited number of scholarships to highly qualified applicants. The current call for applications and necessary application documents for the scholarship for an EPOS study program can be found on the DAAD's website.
For further information regarding the DAAD-EPOS application, please contact Dr. Tiemo Timmermann (lenc-epos-applicationuni-greifswaldde)
3) Self-financed international students (international students without DAAD-EPOS application)
For all non-German applicants who will not apply for an EPOS scholarship, the process for applying has to be performed fully through uni-assist.de.
Uni-Assist offers a third party evaluation mechanism for university applications in Germany. Detailed information on how to perform the application process is found directly in the Uni-Assist webpage. Registration in this website is required, only the final step of sending a complete application has a cost (please check Uni-Assist for more information). A short outline of the process is:
Uni-Assist process:
a) Create an account in Uni-Assist (this does not generate costs)
b) Find the Master Program „LENC“ and upload required documents (list to be found there)
c) Pay the Uni-Assist fees (about 75 Euros) and complete the process before the deadline
For questions regarding the application process of self-financed international students, please contact the International Office (kathrin.brandenburg@uni-greifswald.de)
Application periods
1) for German students: reception of applications between May 15th – July 15th
2) for EPOS Scholarship applicants: reception of applications before December 15th, decision until March
3) for self-financed applicants (non-German, non-DAAD-EPOS scholarship applicants): reception of applications through Uni-Assist between October 1st – March 1st
Cost and Tuition fees
No general tuition fee. The only fees to be paid are the semester fees for all enrolled students of Greifswald University (approximately 75€ per semester). Due to pay after successfully enrolling as a student of Greifswald University.
Programme Overview
The study programme has a duration of 4 semesters. A total of 5 mandatory (basic) modules and 10 elective modules and a Master thesis are a requirement to complete the programme.
The five mandatory modules provide basic knowledge in the fields of landscape ecology, environmental economics and environmental ethics. You will participate in an international excursion and perform a research internship, which is designed to improve scientific working skills.
Furthermore, you have the opportunity to customize your study programme according to your interests due to a variety of elective modules. There are more than 50 modules to choose from, covering:
• Biology (Zoology, Botany, Microbiology)
• Landscape Ecology and Ecosystem Dynamics
• Peatland sciences
• Environmental economics
• Environmental ethics
• Limnology
• Geography and geology
Due to capacity limits in some elective modules and because of inevitable overlap of courses, the completion of every possible combination of elective modules cannot be guaranteed within the regular duration of the master programme.
The general outline of your study programme is as follows:
1st Semester
• Landscape Ecology and Economics (Mandatory Module)
• Ethics and Environment (Mandatory Module)
• ca. 3 Elective Modules to be chosen by you
2nd Semester
• International Excursion (Mandatory Module)
• ca. 4 Elective Modules to be chosen by you
3rd Semester
• Research Internship (Mandatory)
• Personal profiling (Mandatory; to be chosen by the student among the academic offers at Greifswald University)
• ca. 3 Elective modules to be chosen by you
4th Semester
• Master Thesis
Examination and Study Regulations, Module catalogue
Examination and Study Regulations (in English)
Module catalogue (English version) including modules offered in English
Examination and Study Regulations (“Studien- und Prüfungsordnung”, in German)
Educational objectives and career opportunities
The programme has a research-oriented character, so that graduates you able to plan, realise, and interpret complex research tasks. Furthermore, you can analyse and evaluate problems of landscape ecology, ecosystems or nature conservation from different points of view.
This is based on solid taxonomic knowledge, an understanding of the connections and changes in ecosystems and the awareness of various assessment approaches. These can be environmental and nature conservation aspects, but also environmental-economic considerations such as the cost-benefit analysis. Environmental ethics provides a basis for the critical analysis and reflection of different values and goals of nature and environmental protection.
Graduates of the M.Sc. course Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation can pursue a career in landscape and nature conservation research, national and international nature conservation organizations and associations, landscape planning and consultancy offices, or environmental and nature conservation administration.