Environmental Science - Soil, Water and Biodiversity Master

European Double Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences


Strong in science and international

This degree program focuses on the sustainable use and management of natural resources in Europe. You will obtain a double degree from two of the four member universities in the Euroleague for Life Sciences. The partner universities in Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Austria are Europe’s best in the area of environmental sciences.

  • Full double degree from two member universities of the Euroleague for Life Sciences
  • Six different specialization possibilities with a focus on soil, water, and biodiversity
  • Optimal preparation for international careers in the environmental sector
  • Reasons to Choose Hohenheim

Degree
Master of Science
4 semesters
120 credits
Language
English
University places
unlimited
Location
Stuttgart

More information about the individual modules can be found in the module descriptions.

The first academic year
can be started at one of the four participating partner universities:

  • University of Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden
  • University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria
  • University of Hohenheim, Germany.

At their chosen home university, students complete their first year of studies with a basic semester and an advanced semester. In the course of the first semester, students choose one of six specializations as well as the host university at which they will spend their second year of studies.

In October and November of the first year, all students take part in the mandatory Intro Days, which take place in hybrid form with on-site and online components at the respective home universities.

In the second year of studies,
students switch to their host university. There, they can continue the specialization from the first year or choose a new specialization and then complete their studies with the Master's thesis.

After finishing their studies, the students receive a full Master’s degree from both universities at which they studied.

The goal of the degree program is to teach students the principles applied in environmental management of the European ecosystems. Graduates are able to identify problems in the area of managing natural resources in Europe and work out solutions.

In addition, high priority is given to international cooperation and exchange in the area of environmental management in Europe. 

This Master's program educates experts in environmental sciences and opens doors to many different career opportunities in companies and public institutions. Possible areas of work include:

  • Environmental and quality management in companies and organizations
  • Environmental technology companies
  • Consulting firms for agriculture and environmental protection
  • Impact assessment and risk analysis
  • Research and development for international companies and organizations
  • Research institutions

The Master’s program also qualifies students for a doctorate.

Janet Rotich (graduate of 2013, Kenya), Assistenz der Prüfleitung Eurofins

“Envirofood is an up to date program that takes into consideration the current challenges affecting the world, from climate change to sustainable food production.
The program prepares students to work in inter disciplinary fields in the areas of sustainable development, climate change, food production and quality assurance.
I would recommend EnviroFood to students looking for a multidisciplinary international course in the beautiful town of Stuttgart.”

 

Gisela Quaglia, (graduate of 2016), Argentinia, Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher, Flemish Institute of Technological Research, Belgium

“EnviroFood's core modules increased my passion for applied environmental solutions and empowered me to look for ways to reduce agricultural impacts. Students learn to critically assess agricultural problems from different angles, i.e., the environmental, economic and social aspects.
My desire to contribute positively to sustainable agriculture lead me to continue in a PhD program for which, EnviroFood gave me the tools required to start the next step in my professional career.”

 

Jamie Smidt, (graduate of 2014), USA, "Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Ph.D. student

“EnviroFood centers around a strong core curriculum of well-organized and interesting classes in agricultural and environmental sciences. In addition to compulsory classes, students can choose elective modules, customizing so the master’s program to their individual interests. The majority of my courses were highly relevant and thought provoking. My classmates and I are now working a variety of positions in diverse industries. EnviroFood prepared us well for careers both in and outside academia.”


Award-winning teaching, good career prospects, and the most beautiful campus in the state are only three of the many good reasons to study in Hohenheim.

Here we have collected several reasons why other students have decided to study at the University of Hohenheim.

 

 

 

First Place not Once but Three Times: The current Global Universities Ranking from U.S. News & World Report, the renowned NTU ranking, QS World University Ranking, and dathe Center of World University Ranking put University of Hohenheim’s agricultural research in 1st place in Germany.

In the agricultural university ranking from top agrar, the agricultural students at the University of Hohenheim give the grades 1.5 to 2.0. According to the ranking 2016, 88% of the students surveyed would recommend the University of Hohenheim for agricultural studies.

The University of Hohenheim puts great importance on quality teaching, which is demonstrated by several award-winning reform projects.

These projects include for example mobile teaching (German e-learning innovation and young scientists award (d-elina) in the category “Campus” at the BITKOM) or the ethics module, developed by the student group FRESH and awarded by the UN.

With long-term experience in carrying out large interdisciplinary projects on agricultural-ecological topics worldwide, Hohenheim offers ideal circumstances for students who want to gain hands-on experience as well as theoretical knowledge.

The vision of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences is a global agricultural system which is productive, environmentally-friendly and socially-minded, and which is in harmony with society’s demand for a multi-purpose orientation.

Agricultural research at the University of Hohenheim is focused on four areas:

  • Food for all: Security of global food supply
  • Hazard prevention: Climate change and scarcity of resources
  • Beyond fossil fuels: Bioenergy and bio-based value-creation networks
  • Diversity instead of monoculture: Genome Diversity in Agriculture

There are no easy answers to these kinds of questions. That is why agricultural researchers at the University of Hohenheim work across disciplinary boundaries, collaborating with colleagues in the natural sciences, business administration and economics, and the social sciences, for instance in bioeconomics, a field of research and teaching that will become even more important in the future. That collaboration also has an impact on teaching.

Number 1 in internationalization: In the current EU ranking U-Multirank, the University of Hohenheim has a top spot in internationalization.

The basis for this placing is the decades-long, global commitment of the Agricultural Sciences. Especially our tropics research with 10 professorships has made the University known around the world.

International opportunities for students:

  • 80 partner institutions worldwide (40 of which are in the Erasmus+ program)
  • Member of the Euroleague for Life Sciences - the network for Europe’s best
  • scholarship programs for travel, research, and exchange
  • Worldwide alumni network
  • Studies according to international standards for excellence and international competitiveness of graduates

Professors of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences are in high demand.

The top experts include:

Chair of the scientific advisory council

Prof. Dr. Martina Brockmeier
Field of expertise: International agricultural trade and world food economy

The German Council of Science and Humanities is considered the highest-ranking advisory committee on topics of science in Germany. Its scientific members are appointed by the Federal President.

In the Bioeconomy Council

Prof. Dr. Regina Birner
Department of Social and Institutional Change in Agricultural Development

The Bioeconomy Council is an independent advisory committee for the German federal government. The goal: to establish a cross-sectoral and bio-based economy in Germany that uses as few fossil raw materials as possible.

Further members in important commissions and expert lists

  • Prof. Dr. Iris Lewandowski and Prof. Dr. Joachim Müller are members of the BMBF scientific advisory council "Agricultural Systems of the Future”
  • Prof. Dr. Enno Bahrs is member of the BMEL scientific advisory council for biodiversity and genetic resources
  • Expert lists on various agricultural topics

Scholarship and awards for studies, final theses, travel, and attending conferences: Thanks to many supporters, the University of Hohenheim has an unusually extensive scholarship culture.

Around 100,000 Euros is the total amount of all scholarships and awards that are presented each year at the Dies academicus.

More offers from the scholarship organizations for students by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research

More than 700 hectares of test area: Among German universities, the University of Hohenheim owns the largest amount of property. For students, this means a lot of room for their own experiments, research, and a great deal of hands-on experience.

Also directly on campus: State institutes for transferring science into practice, the Hohenheim Gardens, and the German Agricultural Museum.

The future lack of experts and managers in the area of agriculture / nutrition / horticulture means students of agricultural will have good career prospects. This was shown by a 2015 study by the Bundesverband Agrar Ernährung Umwelt (VDL).

The University of Hohenheim is a university with a long tradition. You will experience a truly unique university atmosphere enriched by the Baroque palace, the historic gardens and parks, and modern architecture: In 2009, the University of Hohenheim  was declared the most beautiful campus university in the state.

In 2017, Hohenheim's President Stephan Dabbert was chosen by the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (DHV) as the most popular president in Baden-Württemberg for the third year in a row. He was ranked second in all of Germany.

This jewel is located south of the state capital Stuttgart. Because it is close to Stuttgart, you have all the opportunities available in a big city. The University of Hohenheim is only a few minutes away from the airport, the Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre, and the autobahn and is easily reached with public transportation.

Unique party atmosphere: The historical Thomas-Müntzer-Scheuer, an old barn with a new purpose, is the party center of Hohenheim.
The University ball in the pompous palace rooms is the social event of the year.

In the second year of studies, students switch to their host university.


Semester fees, rent, costs of living - How much will studying cost you and how can you finance it? We have collected the most important information. more

If you choose to study in Hohenheim, you will have to look for a room or an apartment in the region. We can help you with this. more

Start of the application period
Non-EU citizens:Mid-November of the year before the program starts
German, EU citizens: Mid-April
Application deadlines
1st subject-related semesterOnly possible for the winter semester!
German, EU citizens: 15 September
Non-EU citizens: 15 March

Higher subject-related semesters

Not possible
Requirements
Formal requirements
  • An above-average Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences or a related program with a natural or environmental science concentration at a university in Germany or abroad or at a university of applied sciences with a standard period of study of at least 3 years or an equivalent degree.
  • Proof of English language skills
Content requirementsWe require good knowledge of English and IT skills, the ability and willingness to work in intercultural teams, and the willingness to change to a partner university after the first year of studies.
Language skillsEnglish language proficiency required
Pre-study internshipno
Selection procedure
Selection criteriaNone. An above-average grade in the Bachelor’s program (see Admission regulations | English reading version)is a requirement for admission, however.
Selection interviewno

Accreditation

The quality of the degree program is checked regularly.

Learn more about our quality management