Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
MSc in Industrial Wood Supply Management
Umeå, Sweden
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
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 require agility and collaboration along the entire supply chain.
In this program you will learn how to master and develop the 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 program is simple. We start with hands-on laboratory and computer exercises which give a 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 of wood tracking and trading. The program provides training in both today's state-of-the-art business system solutions as well as the use of innovations from machine sensor technology and remote sensing from satellite sources.
This program is designed to train you for both national and international duties in wood supply management.
The program 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 program starts with 15 credits in remote sensing before progressing to the final core course, competitive wood supply. The program 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.
Autumn semester
First-year
- Raw Material Properties and Refining Processes, 15 credits
- Industrial Wood Supply Strategy, 15 credits
Spring semester
- Operational Management of Industrial Wood Supply, 15 credits
- Management Control Systems, 7,5 credits
- Advanced Spatial Modelling through GIS, 7,5 credits
Autumn semester
Second year
- Remote Sensing and Inventory, 15 credits
- Sustainable Wood Supply Analysis, 15 credits
Spring semester
- Master’s thesis in Forestry Science, 30 credits
The Master’s program in Industrial Wood Supply Management aims at a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with Forestry Science as the main field of study, a general qualification.
Students who fulfill the qualification requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) will be provided with a degree certificate upon request. The degree certificate will specify the qualification as Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Forestry Science (masterexamen med huvudområdet skogsbruksvetenskap).
Other qualifications may be awarded if the requirements are fulfilled. See the SLU System of Qualifications.
The program contains courses that, depending on courses taken and combination with previous studies within certain bachelor programs at SLU, may provide the requirements of 300 credits in total for the professional degree Jägmästarexamen (Master of Science in Forestry). See the SLU System of Qualifications.
The program 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 program, many of our students work as temporary production or logistics managers. The program 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.