Master's thesis

Last changed: 18 April 2024

You can write your master’s thesis at the Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre in the subject of forest science or biology. The following list outlines some of the fields in which you can do your thesis work, supervised by the staff at our department, with the possibility of co-supervision by external organisations or other universities.

Masters thesis presentation...

We have expertise and supervisors within the fields of:

Forest ecology
Forest history
Forest pathology
Forest policy
Forest policy and planning
Nature conservation
Silviculture

To begin work on a Master’s thesis (or degree project), students need to have a topic and supervisor(s) who will guide the project. Don't be afraid of your own ideas! If you have a project idea, please discuss it with us. But if you don't yet have a precise idea, there are other ways to get started. We are available to discuss your topic(s) of interest and put you in touch with suitable supervisors to help develop them. You can also look the available projects below.

For inspiration, take a look at the STUDENT PROJECTS ARCHIVE, of previous master's theses at the Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre.

Where to start

AT SLU, the MSc thesis is a course as any other. Yes, it is a bit confusing that a MSc thesis work is a course but be open-minded and accept it.

Start thinking about a topic and looking for a supervisor well in advance of the start of the course…

Don't be afraid of your own ideas! If you have a project idea, please discuss it with us. But if you don't yet have a precise idea, there are other ways to get started. We are available to discuss your topic(s) of interest and put you in touch with suitable supervisors to help develop them. You can also look the available projects below.

Read the instructions and the information you will find many answers to your questions in these documents.

Which course, which subject?

It depends on what major you want in your degree
The major of a degree depends on the subject of the thesis and other prerequisites

Prerequisites

Degree of BSc
Subject and at least 30 credits in that subject at advanced level. For example: for MSc thesis course in forest science, you must have 30 ECTS at advanced level in Forest Science to be admitted to the MSc thesis course

Courses and codes

Master’s thesis in forest science, course code EX0984, 30 ECTS

Masterarbete i skogsvetenskap, course code EX0985, 30 ECTS

Master’s thesis in biology, course code EX0986, 30 ECTS

Master’s thesis in forest science, course code EX0983, 60 ECTS

Once you know the subject and the course, apply for the course via www.universityadmissions.se

Application and registration for the MSc thesis course step-by-step instruction

Application and registration are not the same thing: as for all other courses, first you apply and then you register:

The first step is to apply for the MSc thesis course via www.universityadmissions.se
Codes and course names can be found under “where to start”.
The deadline for application is 15 October for the spring term and 15 April for the autumn term. Please note that the admission closes for 2 months after those deadlines.
The admission office will check your application and if you fulfil the entry requirements, you will be admitted to the course. Will you be admitted? Prerequisites are:
- Degree of BSc
- Subject and at least 30 credits in that subject at advanced level. For example: for MSc thesis course in forest science you must have 30 ECTS at advanced level in forest science to be admitted to the MSc thesis course

Check details on each course page, which you find in the SLU course catalogue by entering the course code
Fill out the work plan together with your supervisor and send it to the course coordinator
Contact the course coordinator to be registered
Once you are registered, you can start working on your thesis