Master in Environmental Mycology
Advanced study of fungi in ecosystems and their use in remediation, restoration, conservation and environmental management.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Master in Environmental Mycology
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Master
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Ecology & Regenerative Agriculture. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 10 months (40 weeks) · 432 hours in total · 12 modules of 36 hours · 40 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 1 February 2027 to 19 November 2027. Enrolment closes on 25 January 2027. Following intake: 4 October 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
This master programme provides advanced study of fungi in ecosystems and of their use in environmental management. It begins with fungal ecology and ecosystem processes and builds identification skills tailored to ecologists, before exploring fungi in soil, aquatic and urban environments, forest mycology and deadwood ecology, and the role of fungi in biogeochemical cycles. These modules give students a broad and rigorous base across habitats and functions.
Environmental agencies, consultancies and conservation bodies increasingly need specialists who can bring fungi into remediation, restoration, conservation and policy work. The programme suits environmental scientists, consultants and managers with prior training or experience in ecology. Applied modules cover mycoremediation of soils and waters, mycorrhizae in ecological restoration, fungal conservation and red listing, environmental DNA and community analysis, fungi and climate change, and environmental assessment and policy. The programme closes with an environmental mycology research project, in which each student defines a question, designs and carries out a study, analyses the data and presents findings in a professional report suitable for clients, agencies or publication.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in ecology, useful in areas such as environmental consultancy, public environmental agencies, conservation and restoration, research institutions.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
Advanced study of fungi in ecosystems and their use in remediation, restoration, conservation and environmental management.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Fungal Ecology and Ecosystem Processes; Fungal Diversity and Identification for Ecologists; Soil, Aquatic and Urban Fungi; Forest Mycology and Deadwood Ecology.
- Put them into practice: Fungi and Biogeochemical Cycles; Mycoremediation of Soils and Waters; Mycorrhizae in Ecological Restoration; Fungal Conservation and Red Listing.
- Apply everything to a real case: Environmental DNA and Community Analysis; Fungi and Climate Change; Environmental Assessment and Policy; Environmental Mycology Research Project.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Identify fungi and analyse their roles in ecosystem processes.
- Design mycoremediation and mycorrhizal restoration interventions.
- Analyse eDNA and community data with appropriate statistics.
- Integrate fungi into red lists, environmental assessment and policy.
- Plan and deliver an independent environmental mycology study.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Environmental scientists, consultants and managers.
4.2Entry requirements
A previous course or diploma in ecology, environmental science or mycology, or equivalent professional experience, is expected.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Senior environmental consultant in mycology
- Environmental agency specialist
- Restoration or remediation project lead
- Conservation programme manager
- Research scientist in fungal ecology
- Environmental policy adviser
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Fungal Ecology and Ecosystem Processes | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 02 | Fungal Diversity and Identification for Ecologists | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 03 | Soil, Aquatic and Urban Fungi | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 04 | Forest Mycology and Deadwood Ecology | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 05 | Fungi and Biogeochemical Cycles | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 06 | Mycoremediation of Soils and Waters | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 07 | Mycorrhizae in Ecological Restoration | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 08 | Fungal Conservation and Red Listing | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 09 | Environmental DNA and Community Analysis | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 10 | Fungi and Climate Change | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 11 | Environmental Assessment and Policy | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 12 | Environmental Mycology Research Project | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| Total | 432 |
12 modules × 36 hours = 432 hours: 80 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Fungal roles in ecosystem processes
- Community assembly and interactions
- Fungal traits and functions
- Major fungal lineages
- Field and microscopic identification
- Molecular identification tools
- Soil fungal communities
- Aquatic and marine fungi
- Fungi in urban environments
- Forest fungal guilds
- Deadwood decay and succession
- Forest management and fungi
- Carbon cycling
- Nitrogen and phosphorus cycling
- Weathering and mineral interactions
- Pollutant degradation mechanisms
- Soil remediation design
- Water treatment and mycofiltration
- Restoration ecology and fungi
- Inoculum sourcing
- Restoration monitoring
- Threats to fungi
- Red list assessment
- Habitat management
- eDNA sampling design
- Sequencing and bioinformatics
- Community statistics
- Climate effects on fungal communities
- Fungal feedbacks to climate
- Adaptation and mitigation roles
- Fungi in impact assessment
- Environmental regulation
- Policy development and advocacy
- Research design
- Data collection and analysis
- Reporting and dissemination
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
An independent environmental mycology research study with a professional report of the findings.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 11 hours a week for 40 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, applied exercises and analyses in each module, and a final research project reviewed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Ecology school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Master Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Master Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
- A short CV or a description of your experience in the field.
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 1 February 2027 is open until 25 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £2,520
- Full payment before the start: £2,016 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£1,008) and 10 monthly instalments of £151.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Master in Environmental Mycology?
A previous course or diploma in ecology, environmental science or mycology, or equivalent professional experience, is expected.
How is Master in Environmental Mycology taught?
Live online, in 12 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, applied exercises and analyses in each module, and a final research project reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
An independent environmental mycology research study with a professional report of the findings.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Master Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Read before you start.
Keep branching.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).