Admission requirements

A Bachelor's degree in life or environmental sciences, geography, forestry and agricultural sciences or economic and social sciences with related environmental or conservation prioritisation. Knowledge of English at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Notes on the application process

If, at the time of application, proof of the first degree qualifying the applicant for a profession is not yet available, the application will be considered under the precondition that 80% of the credit points attainable for the degree have already been achieved based on completed module examinations or the final thesis and the colloquium (if applicable). A certification from the awarding institute of higher education (examination office) serves as proof of the above-mentioned academic achievements. You can find the appropriate form on the Admissions Office website.

General information about the degree program

© Irene Ring

The international Master´s programme Ecosystem Services provides students with the knowledge base and methods to analyse pressing environmental problems and to develop societally relevant solutions. A special focus lies on inter- and transdisciplinary approaches from the natural and the social sciences in order to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity as well as to secure the sustainable provision of ecosystem services for present and future generations.

Graduates of the programme will have access to career opportunities in various fields such as research, public administration, business, economic and policy consultancy, international organisations, non-governmental organisations or scientific management and coordination.

Study contents

Ecosystem services as the direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems for human well-being are gaining increasing attention in science, policy and society. Identifying, mapping and capturing the values of ecosystem services and the integration of this knowledge in public and private decision-making are important objectives of national, European and international biodiversity and sustainability strategies. The M.Sc. programme Ecosystem Services is devoted to understanding the causes of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation as well as to analysing their impacts on ecosystem functioning and human well-being in an interdisciplinary manner.

Compulsory courses include the basics of ecosystem services, empirical social research methods, biodiversity and ecosystem governance as well as ecological economics. Courses on ecology, such as applied ecology and taxonomy, complement the subjects taught in the first two semesters. Starting in the second semester, students can choose among a variety of optional courses to deepen their knowledge in focus areas such as Environmental Social Sciences, Ecology and Collections, Forestry, Biotechnology or Spatial Development and Natural Resource Management. Depending on the chosen focus area, the courses are taught in Zittau, Görlitz, Dresden or Tharandt. Students can acquire methodological skills in ecosystem services case studies, quantitative methods in empirical social research or ecological modelling.

Stay abroad

You want to study a semester abroad? Semester abroad, internships or language courses abroad – as a student you will definitely benefit from a stay in another country. You can improve your expert knowledge and language skills, make contacts, make friends, get to know other cultures and much more. More information can be found on the website of the International Office.

Occupational fields

— Research (universities, research centres, industry)
— Public administration (e.g., environmental and conservation ministries, public agencies)
— Business; Economic and policy consultancy
— International organisations (e.g., UNEP, FAO, World Bank)
— Non-governmental organisations (e.g., conservation NGOs, such as WWF, IUCN)
— Scientific management

Study documents

The official announcements of TU Dresden include all published regulations . Please use the search bar to find the document you need: Official proclamation

The regulations are also available on each institution’s website.

Contacts

Admissions Office

IHI - International Institute Zittau

International Office

Additional information