Natural area & wildlife management

The degree programme in Forest Animal Ecology and Wildlife Management builds bridges between science and practice. In case studies and projects, students at the Weihenstephan campus record and analyse complex spatial, social and wildlife biology issues.

The Master's programme is evidence-based and interdisciplinary. As a student at the HSWT, you will not only use specialised literature, but also the latest methods of wildlife biology (photo traps, listening boxes, telemetry, genetics, GIS) to advance your study projects. In the Natural Area and Wildlife Management degree programme, you will not only learn how to analyse opportunities and risks, but also practise communication strategies to convey recommendations and knowledge to stakeholders. The aim of the Master's degree programme is to be successful in natural area and wildlife management.

Much has changed in our natural areas in recent years. Large predators are returning, wild animals are moving into cities, grazing animals are playing a growing role as landscape designers. Wild animals enjoy legal protection as valuable assets, but are also perceived as a threat. Wildlife managers gather the relevant facts, moderate controversial issues with those affected and seek a consensus based on the carrying capacity of natural areas. The Wildlife Management degree programme prepares Master's students for these tasks, which are waiting for qualified specialists in this field. During your studies at the Weihenstephan Campus, you will learn to manage the different demands on nature, landscape and wildlife and to develop satisfactory solutions.

By completing the Master's degree programme in Natural Area and Wildlife Management, you will have

• a broad set of methods for dealing with nature conservation and wildlife biology issues.
• the ability to analyse and resolve conflicts.
• specific knowledge of important animal groups.
• a qualification to take on management positions and leadership tasks.

During their studies, our students develop into independent, critical and responsible individuals who shape our interaction with nature, the environment and wildlife in a positive way.

The major challenges of our time that natural area and wildlife managers tackle include the restoration of habitats and ecosystems, the biotope network, the conservation of biodiversity in viable populations, the management of conflict species and the provision of in-depth advice to land users.

A large number of companies, organisations and authorities offer possible career prospects for Master's graduates in Natural Area and Wildlife Management. For example in

• Nature conservation & environmental authorities
• Wildlife management (beaver, cormorant, otter, raccoon, wolf, e.g. specialist departments at offices for rural development, departmental research institutions)
• Wildlife habitat counselling (governments)
• Biodiversity counselling (district administrative authorities)
• Protected area management
• National parks, nature parks, biosphere regions, nature monuments
• Associations/NGOs
• Federal forests & state forest enterprises of the federal states
• Private & municipal forestry companies & forestry associations
• Planning offices
• Federal railway

The following admission requirements exist for admission to the Master's programme at Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences:

• A Bachelor's degree in Engineering in Forestry, Arboriculture and Urban Forest Management, Landscape Construction and Management, Environmental Engineering or Agriculture (conventional or organic) from Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences.
• or an equivalent degree from a University of applied sciences or university in the field of forestry, natural and environmental sciences, biology, nature conservation or related fields.
• Courses are predominantly taught in German. Foreign students whose native language is not German must therefore provide proof of German language proficiency of at least level „B2“.
• With regard to the two English-language modules, students must have English language skills at level B2 (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). A list of certificates that are recognised as proof of language proficiency can be found on our application page. The following documents are also recognised:
  • proof of English as a native or official language in your home country
  • proof of completion of an English-language university degree programme
  • proof of having obtained a higher education entrance qualification at an English-language school
  • proof of having obtained a higher education entrance qualification at a non-English-speaking school that either explicitly states the language level or provides evidence of at least six years of English lessons with a grade of at least 4.0 (sufficient) in the final year.

Applications for the Master's degree programme in Wildlife Management are made online. 

Prospective students who have obtained their first degree abroad need a „preliminary review documentation“ (VPD) by uni-assist to apply for the degree programme in Wildlife Management. You can find detailed information on our website for international applicants. Submitting a uni-assist test report is not sufficient!