Management natürlicher Ressourcen (Master-Studiengang)

Programme objectives

The master’s programme in Management natürlicher Ressourcen (hereinafter MSc Management of Natural Resources) at Halle University is a 2-year degree programme with the following main characteristics:

• Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary scientific approach

• Getting in-depth knowledge of procedures, theories, methods, processes and issues of the environmental compartments water, soil and plants

• Qualification for scientific work, for scientifically sound judgement, for an objective analysis of scientific research results and for responsible action in professional and social contexts

• Focus on the recognition and analysis of connected relations and the ability for holistic and integrative reasoning

• Training of soft skills (e.g. team player capabilities, problem-oriented thinking and work)

• Strong reference to practical work

• Research and professionally oriented work

• Project work (regional and/or international)

Career opportunities

The MSc Management of Natural Resources is the second qualifying degree for carrying out complex scientific work in research and professional settings. The study programme enables students to acquire competences that are prerequisites for objective-oriented and successful action in profession. It also qualifies for PhD positions.

The interdisciplinary and joint study programme of geosciences and agricultural sciences qualifies students on a scientific basis for specific fields of activity and professions (e.g. environmental,spatial and landscape planning). The study programme focuses on the requirements for the protection of water, soil and nature. It provides the basics for practice-oriented activities as well as for scientific work in research centres, universities, consultancies, agencies, and authorities.

The programme qualifies students for the following sectors (depending on the choice of elective modules): Universities and research institutes, scientific and economic service sector on a national or international level such as in authorities and agencies, consulting and engineering offices as well as industry.

Accreditation

The Msc Management of Natural Resources is accredited. For more information, please visit the website of the Accreditation Council.

Programme structure

The study programme is structured as follows:

• Compulsory modules (30 CP)
• Elective modules (60 CP)
• Master's thesis (30 CP)

Modules

Compulsory modules (60 CP)

The 6 compulsory modules are all held in English on request and focus on:

1. The special knowledge on the main topics of the study programme: water, soil and plants (1 module each)
2. Methods (3 modules)

Elective modules (60 CP)

The elective modules focus on the compartments allowing you to choose your specialisation. In the first three semesters you may choose 2/3 of your modules from a broad range of electives taught in both English and German that reflect your personal interests. Some of the elective modules are only taught in German. The last semester is dedicated to your master’s thesis.

The content, learning objectives, workload, requirements and prerequisites of specific modules are published in the module catalogue and the study and examination regulations (in German only).

Admission requirements

Applicants for the MSc Management of Natural Resources must

• hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree in natural resources management or a comparable natural science field, and

• prove good knowledge of written and spoken English.

A study programme is comparable if

• at least 20 ECTS have been obtained in foundation courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology, and

• at least 60 ECTS have been obtained in foundation courses of other natural sciences, e.g. agricultural sciences, geology, geography or geoecology, and

• at least 10 ECTS have been obtained in advanced courses in the fields of water, soil and plants.

Decisions on comparability are made by the examination board on the basis of the tanscript of records submitted.

Applicants must prove their English language proficiency by submitting either TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate, Unicert II, German Abitur or an equivalent internationally recognised language certificate attesting level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). However, proof of language proficiency is not required if the first degree was obtained in a study programme taught in English.

Important note: The MSc Management of Natural Resources is a bilingual study programme (English/German). Therefore, international applicants must additionally prove their German language proficiency granting university entrance by means of a recognised language certificate. For more detailed information on German language requirements for university, see here.

Admission to the study programme may be subject to conditions. In case of deficits in the undergraduate programme, you may be obliged to catch up on a maximum of 3 modules of the B.Sc. Management natürlicher Ressourcen (in German) before registering for the master’s thesis. However, the additional workload resulting from the imposed bachelor's modules is not part of the master's programme.

This chapter consists of excerpts roughly translated into English. Only the study and examination regulations are legally binding.

Application/Enrolment

The admission to the MSc Management of Natural Resources is currently not restricted (no NC).

• Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) obtained in Germany must apply via www.uni-halle.de/bewerben by 31 August 2021.

• Applicants with a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) obtained abroad must apply via www.uni-assist.de presumably (!) by 15 June 2021.

Halle University reconsiders its admission policy every winter semester and determines whether admission to a study programme is restricted (Uni-NC) or free (no NC). From May each year, the current decision is published here (see also General Information).

Required documents

The following documents must be submitted with the application for admission:

1. An official certified hard copy of your bachelor's degree or equivalent  (i.e., graduation certificate and transcripts) and certified translations unless the originals are in English or in German. Important note: Applicants via uni-assist may apply online with scanned documents (both in original language and certified translations, if necessary). However, official certified hard copies of the translated graduation and language certificates must be submitted for enrolment.

2. Halle University does accept provisional graduation certificates, if your degree is scheduled after the application deadline. Please submit your transcripts indicating minimum 2/3 of your total credits to be passed / your senior student stage, accordingly. The final graduation certificate shall be submitted with enrolment, respectively by no later than 31 January in the year following admission.

3. Proof of English language proficiency (see admission requirements)

4. Language certificate attesting German language proficiency for university studies (see admission requirements)

If the study programme is subject to admission restrictions and the number of applications exceeds the number of available study places, the available study places are allocated according to the Study Place Allocation Regulations of the Federal State of Saxony-Anhalt (Studienplatzvergabeverordnung Sachsen-Anhalt). In this case, fulfilment of the admission requirements does not constitute a claim to a study place for this programme.

This chapter consists of excerpts roughly translated into English. Only the study and examination regulations are legally binding.

Information for international applicants

For any questions regarding application and admission - except eligibility - please see website or contact Kati Gaudig (Student Registration Office - International Students Section).