Master in Forest Sciences at University of Padua
Two-year English-taught forestry master at Legnaro, near Padua, with paths in forest and land management or conservation and governance, many field trips, and dual or double degree options with Canadian and European partners.
Master
2 years
Padua
English
University of Padua
Forest Sciences is a two-year, 120 ECTS master (class LM-73-R) taught entirely in English by the University of Padua at Legnaro, with paths in forest and land management or forest conservation and governance, and dual degree options in Canada. Non-EU students with family abroad pay a fixed €2,990 a year (2026/27), waived for regional scholarship winners.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree of at least three years (or equivalent), normally in forestry, agriculture, biology or environmental studies.
- Proven knowledge in ecological, silvicultural, economic and technical management areas.
- A final grade the committee judges adequate; for Italian degrees the minimum is 90/110.
- English at B2 level of the CEFR, shown by a certificate from the university's accepted list unless an exemption applies.
- No entrance test: admission is decided on your academic record and application documents, in English or Italian.
About the programme
Forest Sciences is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree in class LM-73-R (forestry and environmental sciences and technologies), taught entirely in English at the Legnaro campus near Padua. It belongs to the School of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, and its secretariat is at the Department of Territory and Agro-Forestry Systems. Admission is open, subject to requirements.
The programme gives a comprehensive, innovative and international view of forest and natural resource management: how ecosystems function and how to look after forests sustainably as environmental pressures grow. It is designed for bachelor's graduates in forestry, agriculture, biological or environmental studies who want to work in forest management, conservation or policy.
What you will study
You choose one of two paths. Forest and Land Management focuses on the technical side of managing, preserving and enhancing forest resources, with attention to mountain and Mediterranean environments. Forest Conservation and Governance takes a technical and economic approach to overseeing forests and ecosystems. Topics named by the department include:
- Ecosystem functioning and sustainable forest stewardship
- Sustainable management, conservation and integrated use of forests and natural resources
- Mountain and Mediterranean forest environments
- Governance of forests and natural ecosystems
- Climate change, deforestation and biodiversity conservation
- Field activities and site visits
How the programme is taught
Teaching mixes lectures, e-learning sessions, seminars and laboratory work, and a significant share of lectures is given over to field activities and site visits; the department's field pages show trips to the Dolomites, Cansiglio and Rosolina. Exams combine final tests with coursework done alone or in groups.
The degree takes part in three Erasmus Mundus consortia for double master's degrees (GLOFOR, SUFONAMA and MEDfOR) and in TRANSFOR-M, a dual degree that lets you earn the Padua master's and a master's from the University of Alberta, the University of British Columbia or Lakehead University within two years.
Career paths
The university describes graduates as planners, designers, managers and supervisors in sustainable and responsible forest management, working for public and private institutions and for governmental and non-governmental organisations in Italy and abroad. Fields it lists include:
- Management and protection of natural and semi-natural habitats
- Land management and protection
- Landscape management
- Use and valorisation of forest resources and ecosystem services
- Research and doctoral studies
Fees and scholarships
Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine degrees are in fee Group B. For 2026/27, non-EU students with a household abroad pay a fixed €2,990 a year, or €996.66 if they hold citizenship of a country on the ministry's list of particularly poor countries; the ISEE parificato only reduces the regional tax. Regional scholarship winners are exempt from the fee, which means zero euro tuition for eligible students, and applicants from abroad are considered automatically for merit scholarships and full fee waivers.
How to apply from outside the EU
There is no entrance test: the committee looks at your bachelor's degree, its final mark or grade average, and your background in ecological, silvicultural, economic and technical subjects. Non-EU candidates living abroad apply on apply.unipd.it in Call One (15 September to 15 November 2026) or Call Two (1 December 2026 to 1 March 2027), paying a €60 fee; Call Three is only for applicants already in Italy or from the EU.
After admission you pay a €208 deposit, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment and apply for a type D study visa. Classes start on 1 October 2027.
How ApplyAZ helps
If this programme fits your goals, ApplyAZ can include it in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities. We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose, submit your applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your DSU scholarship application and prepare your visa file, with a named person on each stage. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.
Questions and answers
Is Forest Sciences taught in English?
Yes, the whole master's is taught in English at the Legnaro campus near Padua. You need English at B2 level of the CEFR, shown by a certificate from the university's accepted list unless an exemption applies.
Which bachelor's background do I need?
A degree of at least three years, normally in forestry, agriculture, biology or environmental studies, with knowledge in ecological, silvicultural, economic and technical management areas. For Italian degrees the minimum grade is 90/110.
Is there an entrance test?
No. Admission is open with requirements, and the committee assesses your degree, final grade or grade average and background.
When can I apply for 2027/28?
Non-EU applicants living abroad can apply on apply.unipd.it from 15 September to 15 November 2026 or from 1 December 2026 to 1 March 2027. Classes start on 1 October 2027.
Can I earn a double degree?
Yes, through the TRANSFOR-M dual degree with the University of Alberta, the University of British Columbia or Lakehead University, or through the GLOFOR, SUFONAMA and MEDfOR Erasmus Mundus consortia.
How much are the fees?
For 2026/27, non-EU students with family abroad pay a fixed €2,990 a year, or €996.66 if from a country on the ministry's list of particularly poor countries. Regional scholarship winners are exempt.
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