Are you passionate about nature and forests, curious about the world of forest bioeconomy, and committed to addressing global sustainability challenges?
Embrace a brighter future by joining the International Bachelor's Degree in Sustainable Forest Bioeconomy (SuFoBe). This programme will give you the knowledge and the necessary working-life skills for the effective and sustainable management of forests, considering multiple ecosystem services, while addressing global sustainability challenges such as climate change, overconsumption, and biodiversity loss.
This three-year programme will equip you with the knowledge and competencies for sustainable forest management and the wider sector of forest bioeconomy. As a graduate, you will be proficient in applying fundamental research methods in the forest, and digitalized learning environments as well as knowledgeable on how futures of forest-related topics can be assessed with foresight methods. Join our community of experts, peers, and local bioeconomy companies and get connected. Additionally, you can study a term abroad, during the last year, from our extensive network of partner universities in different parts of the World.
A lively university city in the middle of nature with a world of opportunities is awaiting you in Joensuu. Find yourself here and discover why Joensuu is called "the Forest Capital of Europe"!
For more info about the structure of the studies, instructions on how to apply and direct link to the application please scroll down.
Key information
- Level of degree: Bachelor's degree
- Programme duration: 3 years full-time / 180 ECTS credits
- Language of instruction: English
- Next application period: Annually in January
- Programme start: Beginning of September
- Tuition fee: EU/EEA nationals no tuition fee; non-EU/EEA nationals 10,000 €/academic year.
- Tuition waivers available
- Study campus: Joensuu
Why study with us?
Shape your path based on knowledge and practice:
• Understand the vital role of forests in global sustainability challenges.
• Gain practical experience in managing forest resources sustainably.
• Benefit from field practices, ICT -tools, and digitalized learning environments to drive positive change.
Join our webinar 27 November
We warmly welcome you to our webinar, where you get to learn more about our programme, the admission requirements and meet our staff and students.
Studies
Studies cover core areas of sustainable forest bioeconomy including forest ecology, biodiversity and management, forest mensuration and remote sensing, forest technology, wood science, innovation, economics and policy. Sustainability is emphasized throughout the programme but specially within the sustainability studies where special focus is also given to forests and its contribution to people's and cultural well-being.
The programme has also a special focus on information and communication technology and their applications to sustainable forest management. These focus areas are unique among forestry programmes globally and will provide you with good competence in evolving job markets of forestry and environmental management.
Additionally within the studies, you can select a minor subject of a relevant discipline to build on your specialization e.g., sustainable business, social sciences, environmental policy and language and communication studies to assist you in forging your future career and improving language skills required in Finland or/and abroad.
The structure of the programme is module- based. Every module contains several courses.
Year 1. Introduction to the fundamentals and methods of forest bioeconomy, sustainability and university life
Fundamentals of sustainable forest bioeconomy
Forest bioeconomy analytics
Diverse communities, responsibility and ethics
Year 2. Ensuring sustainability through the dimensions of the forest bioeconomy
Sustainable and integrated management of forest ecosystems
Technology for forestry
Forest and society
Year 3. Towards the professional path
Regional development and networking studies
Exchange period
Minor studies (free election)
Additional components
The programme includes studies in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), language and communication studies, field practices, bachelor's thesis and professional traineeship.
As a graduate you can apply to continue your studies towards the master level in Joensuu e.g., in the internationally recognized Master of Science in European Forestry; Master's degre programme in forestry (including Transatlantic forestry) or other relevant master at UEF or elsewhere. You can also direct your career towards becoming a forester, forest specialist, forest-data scientist, GIS and remote sensing analyst, climate change manager, forest ecosystems services specialist, REDD+ project manager, forest conservation and restoration specialist, sustainability specialist, CSR coordinator, environmental specialist, bio-based R&D scientist, ecosystem carbon specialist or forestry policy expert among a wide variety of professions.
How to apply
To assess an applicant's eligibility for the program, the applicant must submit an application during the admission period along with the following documents:
- Certification of completed secondary education degree
- Proof of English language proficiency
In most cases, if you are eligible to apply for higher education in your home country, you are also eligible to apply for bachelor's level studies in Finland.
Official translations: If your educational documents are issued in a language other than English, Finnish, or Swedish, you must provide official translations in one of these languages. These translations must be issued by the degree-awarding institution or a certified translator. Every page of the official translation should include the translator's stamp and/or signature. The translation must accurately reflect the original documents, and self-translations by applicants are not accepted.
Search & apply online
Look for the Sustainable Forest Bioeconomy study programme on the Studyinfo portal. The online application is accessible only during the application period, please check the dates.
Gather your documents
Check the details about the documents required for admission. They are provided above (in Admission requirements) and also on the Studyinfo portal. The list of necessary documents is also included in the online application. Check the language requirements – is a language test needed? The application document checklist: 1. Scanned copies of the original degree and graduation certificates in original language 2. Scanned copy of the original transcript of records in original language 3. Proof of English language proficiency 4. Copy of passport photo page + Other programme specific documents (see above section about admission requirements) * Official translations of degree and graduation certificates, if original is not in English, Finnish or Swedish)
Submit the application
Please submit the required documents as electronic copies or scanned attachments along with your online application. Instructions are provided on the application form in StudyInfo. Ensure all documents are uploaded by the specified deadline, as email attachments will not be accepted. After the submission, you will receive a confirmation email. This email includes a link for making changes to your application during the application period.
Verification of educational documents
The University of Eastern Finland will assess the eligibility and authenticity of educational certificates for all applicants. This process includes verifying information with previous educational institutions and language test providers. Please make sure that the certificates you upload during the application will match with those that you need to send later for verification to the university.
The admission to the programme is based on an entrance examination course and online interview.
The entrance examination course accounts for 50% and the online interview examination accounts for 50% of the final score. However, both parts need to be completed and the applicants need to get at least 50% out of the maximum number of points in each part to be considered in Admission group. For more details on Admission criteria visit Studyinfo link below.
Annual tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students will be 10 000 EUR. There are no tuition fees for EU/EEA students.
50% Tuition waiver for this programme (Note that only a limited number of students will receive this waiver)
For more information on tuition waivers and scholarships please visit the following link: Tuition fees, waivers and scholarships | University of Eastern Finland (uef.fi)
Application period 2025
Our application period is open from 8 January 2025 to 22 January 2025. The application is completed and submitted online.
Apply via Studyinfo
Studyinfo.fi is the official national admissions portal with all the up-to-date information about study programmes leading to a degree in Finland. Click the box link on the right.
Contact us
For more information about the programme, please contact us via sustainablefobe@uef.fi
