Sciences, Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science

During the programme, you will learn about processes related to soil, water, the biosphere, and the atmosphere, as well as how these interact with one another and with humans. You will gain practical knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), climatology, ecosystems, and biodiversity, as well as the use of aerial and satellite imagery for environmental monitoring.

You will learn how to analyse changes over time and space, for example, in different landscapes, ecosystems, and climates. The programme provides you with the knowledge to model the future climate and find solutions for adapting to climate change.

The studies include lectures, laboratory work, excursions, fieldwork, seminars, and independent projects. Theory and practice are integrated on different scales, local to global, as well as in different locations. You will gain hands-on experience with various measurement methods and participate in several excursions, ranging from one-day trips to multi-day field studies. You will also have the opportunity to take part in a longer international excursion. In recent years, this trip has been to Rwanda.

Throughout the programme, you will engage with researchers and gain insight into cutting-edge research projects.

The proportion of teacher-led time is high. You will develop both oral and written presentation skills and gain valuable experience of group collaboration. The programme is taught in English.

During the first two years, you will take a core set of courses in physical geography and ecosystem science. The programme also includes elective courses in other subjects, such as environmental law, geology, or any other field that interests you. These elective courses during the fifth semester allow you to tailor your education to suit your personal interests. The programme concludes with a degree project, which you can undertake in collaboration with a company or a research group.

Many students choose to take their elective courses as exchange students at a foreign university, providing opportunities to specialise in subjects not available in Lund. We have exchange agreements with universities across the world. This allows you to create a unique academic profile that suits you while also increasing your competitiveness in the job market.

To support your studies, we offer Supplemental Instruction (SI) in at least one course. During SI sessions, you will meet with a student who has previously completed the course, and together, you will review and discuss key topics and learning objectives.

Many physical geographers and ecosystem specialists play a crucial role in environmental protection, conservation, and urban planning. Their work may involve environmental monitoring or ensuring that urban expansion and infrastructure projects, such as roads, are adapted to water resources and soil conditions. For example, they may also assess the best areas suitable for protection in order to secure viable ecosystems with high biodiversity.

You could also work on developing analytical methods, resource planning, or aid projects in low-income countries. Some common job titles for physical geographers include environmental consultant, environmental monitoring specialist, climate strategist, urban planner, and GIS expert.

After completing the programme, many students choose to continue their studies in a Master's programme. That also provides excellent opportunities to pursue a PhD after obtaining a Master's degree.

Master's programmes taught at Lund University include, for example, GIS and Remote Sensing, Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, and the prestigious Erasmus Mundus GEM (Geo-information and Earth Observation for Environmental Modelling and Management).

Prerequisites

General requirements and studies equivalent of one of the following combination of courses from Swedish Upper Secondary School: Biology 1, Physics 1a or 1b1+1b2, Chemistry 1, Mathematics 4/D or Biology 2, Physics 2, Mathematics 4/D or Biology 2, Chemistry 2, Mathematics 4/D or Physics 2, Chemistry 2, Mathematics 4/D.

Selection criteria

In the early international admissions round seats are allocated entirely through the general average (GPA) of your higher secondary school leaving certificate. In the later national admissions round seats are allocated according to the following: The general average (GPA) of your higher secondary school leaving certificate: 66 %, The Swedish national university aptitude test: 34 %. The University board has decided that applicants with equal merits (in the GPA group) should be separated by the use of a valid result from the Swedish national university aptitude test.

Computers in the programme

The programme requires that you have access to a computer, preferably a laptop, on which you can install software mainly provided by the University, such as Microsoft 365, CAD/CAM and development environments for Python, Matlab or other computational tools. It can be either a Windows computer or a Macintosh computer. On some courses you may need to buy or rent your own software.

Conditions in the study environment and during study visits and field studies

The programme contains compulsory elements that require you to be able to work independently and safely in a laboratory environment, in a hospital environment, in workshops, in production facilities, or during study visits and field studies. These elements require the ability to comply with safety regulations, rules and instructions, and to move around in and evacuate premises safely.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 555,000
First payment: SEK 92,500

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

Lund University Global Scholarship Programme

The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.

Lund University Global Scholarship

African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship

Within the framework of the Lund University Global Scholarship programme, the University also offers the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship targeted at top academic students from selected African research universities. 

ARUA Scholarship

Swedish Institute Scholarship: Global professionals

The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students from certain countries who are applying for select Master's programmes in Sweden. 

Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website

Swedish Institute Scholarship: Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship

The Swedish Institute offers scholarships for Master's studies in Sweden for women from selected countries in Africa and Asia who want to pursue degrees in STEM fields. Check the country and programme requirements on the Swedish Institute's website to see if you are eligible for the scholarship.

SI Scholarship Pioneering Women in STEM

Country-specific scholarships and funding options

Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University. Most agreements are intended for Master’s applicants, although certain opportunities may also be available to Bachelor’s students.

Country-specific scholarships

External scholarships

In addition to scholarships offered by Lund University or through its partner agreements, there are external opportunities. On the page below, you’ll find examples of organisations that may provide financial support for international students from specific countries. 

External scholarships