How the fees work. EU/EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters, then EUR 363.36 per semester. Most other students pay EUR 726.72 per semester (about EUR 1,453 a year); nationals of a list of least developed countries are exempt. The compulsory student union fee (ÖH-Beitrag) is EUR 26.20 per semester.
About this programme
Master in Applied Limnology is a master’s programme at BOKU University in Vienna, taught in English. It runs for 2 years (4 semesters) and carries 120 ECTS credits. The register gives Vienna as the campus town. It lists the academic degree as Master of Science, MSc. BOKU University is a public university in Vienna.
How it compares
Master in Applied Limnology is one of 5 English-taught Agriculture & Environment programmes at master’s level in the register, offered by 1 institution. 5 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland; this programme lists EUR 1,453 a year. 5 are at a public university, where EU, EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters.
What you will study
The Master's in Applied Limnology at BOKU University in Vienna is about freshwater ecosystems: rivers, lakes and groundwater. The programme page says it plainly: water is life, and human activities have degraded these systems badly. This degree trains you to understand how they work and how to restore them.
What you study
The programme is interdisciplinary. You learn from biologists, ecologists, landscape planners, river engineers, modellers, systems analysts, statisticians, GIS experts, water managers, lawyers and historians. The teaching mixes literature review, lectures and field work.
Core topics include hydromorphologic dynamics, nutrient cycling, matter fluxes, food webs, habitat requirements and biotic interactions. You also study the identification of algae, floodplain vegetation, benthic invertebrates and fishes, along with their anatomy, ecophysiology and habitat requirements. The aim is to link the chemical and physical characteristics of freshwaters with the biological needs of organisms, so you can judge ecological status and the indicative value of species.
Professional skills cover monitoring of aquatic organisms, assessment of human impacts, protection of endangered species and habitats, choosing restoration measures and validating management actions. The legal side matters too: the EU Water Framework Directive, the Habitats and Birds Directive and the UN Convention on Biodiversity all shape how experts work.
How the programme is organised
It runs for two years, four semesters, and carries 120 ECTS. The first semester has 5 mandatory modules (39 ECTS). The second and third semesters are built from 13 elective modules (36 ECTS), plus 15 ECTS of free electives. The fourth semester is for your Master thesis (30 ECTS).
You can also choose modules at Egerton University in Kenya during the second semester as electives. The programme is taught in English.
Who it suits
This is for you if you want to work on the practical side of freshwater protection and restoration. The programme expects you to handle both ecological understanding and management tools. It suits people who are comfortable with field work, species identification and data analysis, and who want to work where science meets policy and planning.
Admission, language and next steps
Teaching is in English. There is no central application portal: you apply directly to BOKU. The programme page states that official online pre-registration is mandatory for new BOKU students. The pre-registration period for the summer semester runs from mid-January to 31st March, and for the winter semester from mid-June to 31st October. Check the BOKU webpage on pre-registration for instructions and exact timetables.
As a public university, BOKU charges no tuition to EU/EEA and Swiss students within the standard duration plus two semesters. Other students pay a fee per semester. The programme page lists the programme coordinator as Ass.Prof. Priv.-Doz. Mag. Dr. Gabriele Weigelhofer and Mag. rer. nat. Gerold Winkler.
What the register says
The central contents of the degree programme are to enable students to recognise and understand the functions and processes of chemical/physical and biotic systems. Nutrient balance, water quality and habitat characteristics are to be determined in principle, in the same way as water organisms and their ecological needs are. Based on this the students will be able to develop protective measures and to restore aquatic ecosystems by means of ecologically oriented water management.
Auch als Joint-Degree Studium zusammen mit der Egerton University (Kenia) und der IHE-DELFT (Niederlande) möglich
Text as the Austrian national register publishes it. Some entries are in German. For the current content and structure, use the official programme page.
Job opportunities after graduating
- Private, governmental and non-governmental organisations
- International organisations such as the European Commission, UNESCO, FAO and International River Commissions
- Technical and administrative planning institutions and companies
- Development cooperation agencies
- Non-profit organisations and national and international environmental associations
- Civil engineering
- Consultancy
- Research and education
Before you apply
There is no central application portal in Austria: you apply to the institution, here BOKU University. A public university sets the admission requirements and dates for this level, so read them on the programme page. Entrance examination, as the register states it: No. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, the student residence permit and housing.
Facts on this page come from the Austrian national register (BMFWF open data and studienwahl.at, which states the language of instruction). Fees are in euros as the register lists them. "Not listed" means the register has no figure, not that the programme is free. Always confirm requirements, fees and dates with the institution.
Quick answers
Is Master in Applied Limnology taught in English?
Yes. The register’s study finder lists English as the language of instruction at BOKU University. Confirm the language of the examinations and the thesis with the institution.
How long does it take?
The register records 2 years (4 semesters) of study and 120 ECTS credits. Sixty ECTS credits are one academic year of full-time study.
Where is it taught?
The register lists Vienna as the campus town for this programme at BOKU University.
How do I apply?
There is no central application portal in Austria: you apply to the institution, here BOKU University. A public university sets the admission requirements and dates for this level, so read them on the programme page.
Is there an entrance examination?
The register gives: No. Details of any admission or aptitude procedure are on the programme page at BOKU University.
What does it cost?
EU/EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters, then EUR 363.36 per semester. Most other students pay EUR 726.72 per semester (about EUR 1,453 a year); nationals of a list of least developed countries are exempt. The compulsory student union fee (ÖH-Beitrag) is EUR 26.20 per semester. Fees are in euros as the register lists them; confirm the amount for your intake with BOKU University.
Is this programme officially listed?
It comes from the Austrian national register (BMFWF open data and studienwahl.at, which states the language of instruction). The OeAD, the Austrian agency for international education, publishes the official information for international students at studyinaustria.at. The programme page at BOKU University is linked from this page so you can compare.
More at BOKU University
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