Restoration Ecology

The MSc in Restoration Ecology is a 120 ECTS master’s programme, designed as a full-time study. The minimum time required for programme completion is two years. A study period longer than two years may be permitted upon request if based on an approved study plan and shall be assessed on an individual basis. The maximum time for degree completion should not exceed 50% of the approved study period.

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Programme composition

The programme is composed of 60-90 ECTS worth of organized courses, depending on the size of the final research project. Students are required to take approx. 30 ECTS in compulsory core courses, addressing the global context, theory, and practice of restoration ecology.

Along with all other master’s students at AUI, students of the Restoration Ecology MSc are generally required to complete additional 16 ECTS in compulsory courses related to ethical standards, research methodology and scientific writing, and participate in a 2 ECTS graduate student seminar. However, the final number of compulsory ECTS deemed necessary is evaluated based on the academic and professional background of the individual student.

Each student is required to choose a minimum of 8 ECTS from the program’s range of restrictive electives, which allow students to dive into and specialize in specific subjects within the field of restoration ecology.

Final research project

Students can choose between a 30 or 60 ECTS final research project (MSc thesis). Depending on their choice, students can select up to 34 ECTS worth of other electives, either from within AUI or relevant courses from other Icelandic or foreign universities. These courses can also be selected from the restrictive electives category.

In their final project, students work independently on a research project chosen in collaboration with the programme coordinator(s) and write a scientific thesis under the supervision of at least one (30 ECTS thesis) or two (60 ECTS thesis) academic advisors holding expertise within the field of restoration ecology or other subjects relevant to the thesis topic in question. For each thesis there must always be one supervisor that is a member of AUI staff. A maximum number of four advisors for each MSc committee is allowed.

The next intake for this programme will be in autumn 2027.

Program director: Berglind Orradóttir

To enrol in the master’s programme, an applicant must have successfully completed a bachelor’s degree with the minimum final grade of 7,25 or higher (minimum of C on the ECTS grading scale) from the Agricultural University of Iceland (AUI), or to hold a comparable academic qualification recognized internationally and by the Faculty of Nature and Forests. A prerequisite for admission is that the student possesses minimum knowledge or skill within the field of ecology, either through their prior education on university level or professional work. Generally, at least 90 ECTS (out of 180 ECTS) of the student’s bachelor’s degree should have been completed in the field of natural and environmental sciences. Applicants from a primarily social science background will be evaluated depending on wider experience and/or possibility of attaining basic ecological knowledge through additional course work. All applicants will be evaluated on an individual basis.

The application deadline for master's studies in Restoration Ecology for non EU/EEA students is 31st of January and student from Icelandic and EU/EEA 15th of April.

Please note that applications are only accepted every other year.

The next intake for this programme will be in autumn 2027.

Iceland is a unique place to study within this rapidly growing field. Iceland’s ecosystems have undergone severe degradation since its first human settlement, due to unsustainable land use in combination with harsh climatic conditions and volcanic activity. Nationally coordinated efforts to combat soil erosion and restore lost and degraded ecosystems span more than 100 years. Iceland therefore offers substantial expertise and practical experience on the subject, with restoration projects spanning various scales and diverse ecosystems.

The Agricultural University of Iceland (AUI) has had a major role in scientific research, education, and training of professionals within the field for a long time. AUI also hosts UNESCO’s GRÓ Land Restoration Training Programme in cooperation with the Land and forest Iceland.

The Restoration Ecology programme at AUI is a two-year Master’s degree programme (120 ECTS) designed as a full time study.

The programme is composed of 60-90 ECTS worth of organized courses depending on the size of a final research project, where students can choose between a 30 or 60 ECTS thesis.

In addition to compulsory core courses, students can choose between a range of electives based on their area of interest, allowing for a good amount of flexibility and specialization within the field.

The programme has an international focus with courses generally taught in English.

The programme will help you gain the practical and theoretical skill-set necessary to set priorities, develop a structured approach to ecosystem restoration and critically assess their progress in highly complex and unpredictable environments, across different scales and with significant uncertainties.

The unique, interdisciplinary curriculum will produce graduates with an integrated body of knowledge and skills for advancing restoration ecology theory and practice.

You will learn the importance of and ways to adjust the restoration process based on monitoring and assessment by employing the principles of adaptive management, accounting for both the ecological and social context.

With an international focus, the programme provides preparation for a career anywhere across the globe where a highly qualified talent pool with deep understanding of restoration ecology theory and practice is urgently needed to restore and manage different types and scales of degraded ecosystems.

Course catalog

Curriculum