MSc in Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management (MEDfOR)
Lisbon, Portugal
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
30 May 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 4,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* participation cost per year
Introduction
MEDfOR is a two-year world-class Master Course Program.
The MEDfOR emphasis is to prepare the future generation of engineers, managers, researchers, and teachers involved in Mediterranean forestry and natural resources management.
MEDfOR equips students with a solid scientific habilitation and the competencies for careers in innovative fields of work within the Mediterranean forestry supply chain. It will both provide the basis needed for students to pursue academic opportunities (e.g. Ph.D. program) and the qualifications needed to fill positions in all Mediterranean forestry supply chain segments (e.g. forestry and natural resources organizations, either public or private, either national or international).
Students can study in two or three of the 7 universities of the Consortium and may also have the opportunity to do internships with our Associated Partners.
Mobility
Students will have to spend, obligatory, their first year of studies in one of the three following Universities: the University of Lleida, University of Padua, or University of Lisbon. In the second year, they may move to another university of the consortium according to their interest in the different specializations. Then, they may stay in their second university during the entire second year or still move to another University in the second semester – including going back to their first-year university.
Summer Event
At the end of the 2nd year, students are invited to attend the Summer Event, in which students may present the work they have developed during their thesis. It is also a farewell event. This is organized by the University of Tuscia, and the event takes place in the Italian Alps in a small town called Pieve Tesino.
Degree and Diploma
At the end of the MEDfOR program, the student obtains a Double, Multiple, or Joint Degree, as determined by the mobility track, and the national regulations and course accreditation at each university. The student can obtain a degree from all Universities where it completes a period of study of at least 30 credits (ECTS) - a semester.
Degrees offered by the Universities of the Consortium:
- University of Lisbon
MSc in Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management - University of Padua
MSc in Forest Science - University of Lleida
MSc in Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management - University of Valladolid
MSc in Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management - University of Karadeniz
MSc in Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management - University of Tuscia
MSc in Forestry and Environmental Sciences - Catholic University of Porto
MSc in Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management
Curriculum
1st Year
During the first year, at the University of Lleida, Padua, or Lisbon, the student will acquire knowledge in the full range of disciplines essential to the use and management of Mediterranean forests. These courses have a solid anchor on the scientific areas of:
- Earth Sciences (ES)
- Biology and Ecology (BE)
- Mathematics (M)
- Forest Engineering (FE) and
- Social and Management Sciences (SMS)
During the first year, the students shall have two online courses: "Introductory Course: Introduction to Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources" offered by U of Valladolid at the beginning of the first semester; and "E-learning - Research and project development methodology – applications" offered by U of Padua during the 2nd semester. These courses are done by the whole cohort at the same time, and students have to interact with each other.
2nd Year
In the first semester of the 2nd year, students have to choose a specialization, among the 7 topics offered by the consortium, where they will acquire cutting-edge knowledge in a specialized field provided by one of the consortium universities.
- Multiple criteria decision support systems for Mediterranean forest management planning in ULisboa
- Social and Environmental responsibility in Mediterranean forestry in U Padua
- Addressing risks in Mediterranean forest management planning-the case of fire in U Lleida
- Adaptive forestry strategies to provide good and services while coping with global change challenge in U Valladolid
- Advanced tools for sustainable management of Mediterranean forests in U Tuscia
- Ecosystem-based multi-use forest management planning in Mediterranean forests in U Karadeniz
- Mediterranean Sustainable Forest Management - An Institutional Economics Approach in U Catholic Porto
During the 2nd semester, students will develop their master thesis. Students are encouraged to develop an important fieldwork component taking advantage of on-going projects being carried out by members of the MEDfOR consortium as well as internships provided by stakeholders. All associated partners, as well as relevant stakeholders, may serve as hosts for the thesis work.
Career Opportunities
Students' Careers
Our MEDfOR Alumni often found a job within a year after graduation. Roughly one-third pursues a Ph.D. after graduation or stays in academia doing research. Half of them go back to their home countries, some to their old posts while others land new jobs, in private entities, public administration. Several Alumni have launched international carriers in international organizations or as consultants. Some stayed on the universities where they graduated – doing research or Ph.D.s; while others found internships and jobs with the associated partners.
Gallery
Scholarships and Funding
APPLICATIONS TO THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/2027 ARE NOW OPEN!
THIS CALL IS OPEN ONLY TO EU MEMBER STATES CANDIDATES.
Erasmus Mundus scholarships may be available to offer to EU Member States candidates. This will be confirmed in July 2025.
The Erasmus Mundus Master Programme MEDfOR: Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management opens its call to EU Member States candidates for the next MEDfOR edition 2025/2027 from 1st March to 30th April 2025!
Applications to the academic year 2025/2027 of the MEDfOR Programme are open to candidates from all over the world, who have a bachelor degree on Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Biological Sciences, Environmental and Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Economics, Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry or similar areas.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 30th April 2024