This Master’s programme prepares you for managing the wood supply chain from forest to industry. It provides hands-on training, theoretical analysis and insight from leading sector experts for both on-site and digital management of raw materials and operations for sustainable bio-based industries.
Programme information
The forest sector is quickly developing towards a wider portfolio of final products for new markets. From solid wood- to nano-cellulose-based products, the management of raw material supply is dynamic and demanding. Changing climate and markets requires agility and collaboration along the entire supply chain.
In this programme you will learn how to master and develop management of industrial wood supply; raw materials requirements for new industrial processes, supply strategy and systems, and operational management of these systems. Having mastered these core courses, the capstone course involves interactive case studies developing sustainable wood supply strategies for forest industries competing in Swedish geographies. All this while working under different scenarios for increased energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
The pedagogical approach for the master's programme is simple. We start with hands-on laboratory and computer exercises which give the basic understanding of industrial and supply processes. After this we continue with theoretical studies to build the insight required for new challenges. After you have both practical understanding and theoretical insight, your learning is topped-off by top-level guest lectures from the sponsor forest companies.
Digitalization is an integral component of wood supply management because of the large volumes in wood tracking and trading. The programme provides training in both todays state-of-the-art business system solutions as well as use of innovations from machine sensor technology and remote sensing from satellite sources.
This programme is designed to train you for both national and international duties in wood supply management.
Facts and requirements
Name:Industrial Wood Supply Management (MSc)
Level:Master
Language:English
Programme scope:2.0 year , 120.0 credits
Next start:HT 2026
Tuition Fees:Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland are required to pay application and tuition fees.
First semester:80000
First semester half time:80000
Total:SEK 320000
Application deadline for international students:2026-01-15
Application deadline for Swedish students:2026-04-15
Study location:Umeå
Pace of study:Full-time
Teaching form:On-campus
Application code for Swedish students:81173
Application code for international students:81167
Study location:Umeå
Pace of study:Full-time
Teaching form:On-campus
Application code for Swedish students:81178
Selection:Högskolepoäng
Requirements:
To be admitted to the Master’s Programme in Industrial Wood Supply Management (120 credits), the following criteria must be met:
general entry requirements: first-cycle (Bachelor’s) qualification comprising a minimum 180 credits or equivalent degree from a higher education institution abroad
specific entry requirements: a minimum of 60 credits from specialist study within one of the following subjects or main fields of study or the equivalent:
forestry science
forest management
forest science
forest and wood engineering
15 credits within forest technology, wood science/wood technology, or equivalent
5 credits geographic information systems (GIS).
In addition, knowledge equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6 is required. This requirement is met by those holding a Degree of Bachelor (180 credits) from a Swedish higher education institution. There are specific rules for applicants from certain English-speaking countries.
The specific entry requirements stated above can also be met by someone who has obtained equivalent knowledge through a corresponding qualification from abroad, or in some other way.
There are specific entry requirements for each course included in the programme. These are described in the relevant course syllabus.
Degree:
Degree awarded upon completion of the programme
The Master's (120 credits) programme in Industrial Wood Supply Management leads to the Degree of Master with forestry science as the main field of study. A Degree of Master is a general qualification.
Students who fulfil the qualification requirements for a degree will be issued a degree certificate upon request, with the title Degree of Master of Science with a major in Forestry Science.
Other qualifications may be awarded provided that the requirements for them are fulfilled. See SLU’s system of qualifications.
The programme contains courses which, depending on choice of courses and combination with previous studies in forestry at first-cycle level, may enable students to fulfil the requirements for the professional qualification Degree of Master of Science in Forestry, 300 credits. The outcomes for a Degree of Master of Science in Forestry are stipulated in the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The requirements for a Degree of Master of Science in Forestry are defined in SLU’s system of qualifications.
Degree requirements
The Degree of Master of Science with forestry science as the main field of study will be awarded once 120 credits have been obtained, of which 90 must be from second cycle courses that meet the following requirements:
a minimum of 30 credits from courses of specialised study within the main field of study forestry science (A1N; A1F);
a minimum of 30 credits from a degree project/independent project within the main field of study forestry science (second-cycle level degree project A2E).
Additionally, students must have successfully completed a Degree of Bachelor, a professional qualification comprising a minimum of 180 credits, or have an equivalent qualification from abroad.
The Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) may contain a maximum of 30 credits from first-cycle courses, provided these credits were not included in a Degree of Bachelor or its equivalent. All courses included in a degree must be at university level, have been successfully completed and may not overlap/have similar content.
Admission: There are two admission rounds for this Master's programme. The first admission round is open to all international applicants at www.universityadmissions.se. SLU strongly encourage all international students to apply in this first admission round.
Content
The programme comprises four core courses, each worth 15 ECTS credits. The first three courses, namely raw material requirements, supply strategy, and operations management, are offered during the first year. The first year concludes with 15 credits of elective courses, such as GIS.
In the second year, the programme starts with 15 credits in remote sensing before progressing to the final core course, competitive wood supply. The programme culminates with the completion of a master's thesis. It is worth noting that most of the master's thesis projects are sponsored by companies.
Welcome to SLU Campus Umeå
SLU’s campus in Umeå offers an inspiring and picturesque learning environment. Surrounded by deep green forests, scenic parks and clear blue lakes, it is easy to see why Umeå is the fastest growing city in Sweden. Known for its youthful and lively atmosphere, Umeå is highly ranked among Swedish students.
Career
The programme is designed to prepare students for entry-level jobs and equip them with the necessary skills to become upper-level managers and staff specialists in national and international wood supply organizations.
During the summer holidays between year one and year two of the programme, many of our students work as temporary production or logistics managers. The programme is developed in collaboration with major forest companies in the Swedish forest sector to ensure that training is focused on the skills and abilities required in the current job market.
Degree awarded
Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a Major in Forestry Science.
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