
Master of Arts in Forestry for Green Sustainable Development
Växjö, Sweden
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
15 Jan 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
01 Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
SEK 310,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* total tuition fees
Introduction
The future forests offer many possibilities. This program gives knowledge about how different strategies and forest management systems can provide forest ecosystem services for society in the future. In the Forestry for Green Sustainable Development master's program, both you with an educational background within forestry and you who come from other disciplines can immerse yourself in the forest's entire value chain and the conditions linked to the forest ecosystem services, climate mitigation, and adaptation, forest digitalization and forest damage in sustainable forestry for a circular economy.
In the master's program Forestry for Green Sustainable Development, you will have the opportunity to delve into questions about how future sustainable forestry can be developed. The education has a unique thematic approach where you will gain an overall picture and understanding of the forest's entire value chain, from forest production to products and values from the forest, as well as deepening issues related to ecosystem services, the forest's climate mitigation and climate adaptation, the digitization of forestry and forest damage.
You will gain knowledge about forest ecosystems and forestry in a national context, but the program also contains many international elements through, for example, study trips and guest lecturers from different countries. During the education, you will also get a close connection to the forestry sector through guest lecturers, study visits, project work, and a final thesis. You will get to meet representatives from the forest industry, forest owner associations, authorities, and interest organizations to understand and discuss current issues, challenges, and opportunities the practice faces through the entire value chain of the forest.
The program includes 120 credits with a duration of 2 years for full-time studies. Full-time studies mean an average of 40 study hours per week. The courses in the program are given at half speed, meaning you study two courses in parallel.
For those who have not taken a forestry education before, the program begins with a 15-credit introductory forestry course and a program profiling course. For those with the basics, the program begins with two program profiling courses. The program contains four program profiling courses where you will learn about the forest's ecosystem services, climate mitigation and adaptation, the digitization of forestry, and forest damage. After that, you can choose whether to deepen or broaden your knowledge through optional courses. You can study courses at Linnaeus University or other universities nationally or abroad. Finally, a degree project of at least 30 credits is completed.
The program is offered as campus education for international students and distance education for national students. The arrangement for both variants is a hybrid solution where all students will alternate studies both remotely and on campus, and in many cases can choose to follow, for example, lectures and seminars remotely or on-site in Växjö. For both campus and distance students, the program includes several course meetings in Växjö and in other locations. The program is given in English, but parts or courses may in many cases be possible to examine in Swedish.
The purpose of the Forestry for Green Sustainable Development master's program is to provide students with the opportunity to delve into issues related to the development of sustainable forestry for the future. The program focuses on how various strategies and Forest management systems can provide ecosystem services to society. The program takes a thematic approach, where students are expected to gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire forest value chain, from forest production to forest products and values, as well as deepen their knowledge of ecosystem services, the climate benefits of forests, digitalization in forestry, and forest damage. Completion of the program leads to a master's degree that can be used for an academic or professional career in the field of forestry and wood technology offered by the program's specialization
Degree
Degree of Master of Science with specialization in forestry for green sustainable development
Main field of study: Forest and Wood Engineering
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
For students applying to the master’s program Forestry for Green Sustainable Development, Linnaeus University offers a student scholarship in collaboration with IKEA and Södra through our unique collaboration The Bridge.
This master's program is also eligible for the Swedish Institute's Scholarship for Global Professionals in the academic year 2024/25.
Each year Linnaeus University offers scholarships to outstanding students from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland through the program "Linnaeus University Scholarships" and "Linnaeus University Scholarship for Current Students"
Information about Scholarship Opportunities at Linnaeus University
Linnaeus University offers two different scholarship programs for the moment, Linnaeus University Scholarship and Linnaeus University Scholarship for Current Student.
Linnaeus University Scholarship program is offered for students who study master's programs. Students can only apply for this scholarship before commencing the program.
Linnaeus University for Current Students is offered for students who are already enrolled in a two- or three-year program at Linnaeus University. Students can only apply for this scholarship after commencing the program.
What does the scholarship include?
Up to 75% reduction of the tuition fees for the rest of the program. The scholarship is initially granted for one semester, but will automatically be extended for the duration of the study program (2 up to 4 semesters), provided that study results are satisfactory.
What does the scholarship NOT include?
The scholarship does not cover living costs or other costs.
Curriculum
Credits: 120
The program comprises a total of 120 credits with a duration of 2 years of full-time studies.
The program begins with 75 credits of program-specific courses. Additionally, students have the opportunity to specialize or broaden their studies through elective courses of up to 15 credits. Finally, an independent project of at least 30 credits is completed. Program courses are primarily offered part-time, with two courses running concurrently each term. Changes to the program's course selection can be made in consultation with the program coordinator.
The program is offered as distance education, utilizing a hybrid approach that combines distance learning with physical meetings on campus in Växjö or another location several times per semester. The program is conducted in English, but some components or courses may also be examined in Swedish.
Courses in the Program
Year 1
- Basic Course in Forest Management, 15 credits* (G1N) This course provides fundamental knowledge about forest ecology, forest estimation, forest management, production, and forest management towards different goals.
Students with at least 15 credits in forest science, forest management, or equivalent may replace the course Basic Course in Forest Management, 15 credits, with elective courses. These students are also offered the opportunity to take the course Forest Climate Mitigation and Adaptation, 15 credits, in Year 1 instead of Year 2.
- Forest Ecosystem Services, 15 credits* (A1N) The purpose of this course is to provide knowledge about the ecosystem services of the forest and how they are influenced by forestry and various forest management strategies.
- Digitalization in Forestry, 15 credits* (A1F) This course covers knowledge about damages to growing forests, wood, and wood-based products, and how to mitigate these damages. Additionally, the course addresses how climate change affects forest damage.
- Forest Damage in Sustainable Forestry for a Circular Bioeconomy, 15 credits* (A1F) This course covers knowledge about damages to growing forests, wood, and wood-based products, and how to mitigate these damages. Additionally, the course addresses how climate change affects forest damage.
Year 2
- Forest Climate Mitigation and Adaptation, 15 credits* (A1N) This course addresses climate change and its impact on forests and forestry, forest climate benefits, and adaptations in a changing climate.
- Elective Courses, 15 credits
- Independent Project, 30 credits* (A2E)
*= course in the main field of study.
For each course in the program, there is a course syllabus that specifies the details of that course. Information about when the courses are offered can be found on LNU's student website.
At least 30 credits of relevant courses will be offered during the elective semester. Decisions regarding the course offerings are made well in advance of each semester. The course offerings may change during the course of the program. The current course offerings can be found on LNU's student website. Students may also choose courses other than those offered at LNU.
Societal Relevance
The educational program is closely linked to the forestry sector. Companies, organizations, and government agencies participate in the program's courses and modules through lectures, field trips, and company visits. Thesis projects can be carried out in collaboration with companies, organizations, or government agencies. The program's program council includes representatives from the forestry sector.
Internationalization
The educational program has both a regional and national as well as an international perspective. The program will be attended by a heterogeneous group of students, including both national and international students, enriching the perspectives and discussions in the program's courses. The engagement of successful foreign researchers as guest lecturers ensures global relevance. Study visits abroad may be part of the educational program.
Sustainable Social Development
The program provides theoretical knowledge for the analysis and reflection on the subject in relation to human society. Development work in education should be based on people's participation, knowledge, and understanding. Throughout the program, issues related to sustainable development, gender, and diversity are continuously raised and discussed. The concept of sustainability encompasses environmental, economic, social, ethical, and cultural aspects, as well as human safety and health. The ability to critically examine possibilities and limitations aims to contribute to the development of an equitable and sustainable society. This work is supported by the methods used in education. Clear connections exist to the following goals in Agenda 2030: combating climate change, ecosystems and biodiversity, good health and well-being, gender equality, and sustainable consumption and production.
Program Outcome
Objectives
General degree objectives in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance
Knowledge and understanding
For a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) the student shall
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
- Demonstrate specialized methodological knowledge in the main field of study.
Competence and skills
For a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) the student shall
- Demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess, and deal with complex phenomena, issues, and situations even with limited information demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously, and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
- Demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
- Demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.
Judgment and approach
For a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) the student shall
- Demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social, and ethical issues and also demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
- Demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society, and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
- Demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
After the education, you will be a specialist in the values of the forest and how future sustainable forestry can be developed. There is a great need for labor and competence in the forest's entire value chain, from forest management to the production of more sustainable products from the forest. For example, you can work as a specialist in the forestry industry, as a forestry advisor, or as an expert for authorities. You can also apply to other industries that need forest experts. The education also opens an international career. With a degree from this education, you are also eligible for a PhD education, pursue a career in academia, and for example, work within the university or at a research institute.
The program is carried out in close collaboration with the forestry sector. Linnaeus University has a long-term and strategic collaboration with Södra and IKEA in the partnership The Bridge. The basis for the cooperation is the climate challenges and the UN's global goals. The partnership focuses on forestry, innovation, and sustainability, and the parties collaborate in education and research. One ambition is to create an arena for knowledge development and sustainable competitiveness open to more actors because we believe that working together is required to cope with the transition in society.
Facilities
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.