This MSc program explores the management and sustainable development of natural resources through a mix of technical, economic and social perspectives. Core subject areas include agricultural economics, eco-balancing and decision-support systems, food security, land-use systems, provision of public services and housing, resource-efficient buildings and neighborhoods, and urban and community-based management. The curriculum is designed to help students understand how different resource systems interact and how policy, planning and technology can be combined to support sustainable outcomes.
Students can tailor their studies by selecting elective modules from related MSc programs in Integrated Water Resources Management and Renewable Energy Management, allowing for interdisciplinary specialization and broader competence across water, energy and land/resource issues. This flexibility is useful for international students seeking to build a cross-cutting skill set applicable to careers in environmental planning, resource management, policy, consulting or development work.
Quick facts / Requirements
This two-year, winter-semester-entry Master’s is organized into block-style modules and balances classroom learning with a focused research semester. In the first three semesters you follow lectures and seminars and complete guided project work; the fourth semester is reserved for the Master’s thesis and typically includes a period of field research abroad. The standard study period covers both the formal examinations and the designated research semester.
Core training in the first semester builds foundational knowledge across human and physical dimensions of resource management — geography, economics, project management, international cooperation and information sciences — combined with practical project work. In semesters two and three you choose specialisation modules from Environmental and Land Use Management or Urban and Regional Management, and supplement these with elective courses in Integrated Water Resources Management, Renewable Energy Management and Methods & Tools. The final semester is devoted to field research (up to three months) and writing the Master’s thesis, often carried out in collaboration with an international partner or host institution.
Learning outcomes include an interdisciplinary understanding of natural resource systems, practical skills in project planning and management, competence in applied information and research methods, and experience working in international and field settings. Graduates should be prepared to design and evaluate resource-management interventions, apply quantitative and qualitative methods, and carry out independent, research-based work in national or international contexts.
Requirements and key elements
Overview
Applicants must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent qualification) in a subject area closely related to natural resources management. Eligible undergraduate fields include engineering, natural sciences, architecture, agricultural sciences, life sciences and earth sciences. The programme expects that your prior studies demonstrate a clear connection to natural resources management and development.
In addition to the qualification and subject relevance, there are specific minimum academic and documentation requirements. International applicants should ensure their grading can be compared to the German system and be prepared to supply certified academic records and an English-language motivation statement and research proposal. Always refer to the programme’s “How to Apply” page for the latest application procedures and any additional country-specific requirements.
Minimum admission requirements (bullet points)
Winter Semester (International)
31 March 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
10 June 2026
Graduates are prepared for professional roles in natural resources and environmental management across public institutions, international and national NGOs, development agencies, consultancy firms, and private sector organisations involved in land‑use, urban planning and resource‑efficient construction. Typical positions include project manager or specialist in sustainable land use, resource management advisor, policy analyst for environmental and development organisations, and consultant for integrated water or renewable energy projects.
The programme also provides a solid foundation for research or doctoral studies for students who wish to continue in academia. Practical project work, methods training and international field research help graduates to work effectively in multidisciplinary and cross‑cultural teams.