Agribusiness (Master’s)

Your Path to Top Management


Practical, interdisciplinary, and flexible degree program on the most beautiful campus in the state

Agribusiness is a business program with a focus on the agricultural sector. The interdisciplinary education combines content from the University of Hohenheim’s Faculties of Agricultural Science and Business, Economics and Social Sciences. Students benefit from the diverse subjects offered by both faculties.

  • Expand your previous education in agricultural, natural, or business or economic sciences with expert knowledge in the other areas
  • Combination of economic and agricultural expertise
  • Outstanding career prospects
  • Reasons to Choose Hohenheim

Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
4 semesters
120 credits
Language
German
University places
unlimited
Location
Stuttgart

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

In the first year of studies,
besides the compulsory modules, students get knowledge that complements their respective previous education. Students with previous education in agricultural or natural sciences will gain additional qualifications in business and economics subjects:

  • Management/Business Administration
  • Quality Management
  • Marketing
  • Controlling or
  • International Business.

Students with a business and economics background will gain additional knowledge in plant and animal production engineering or agricultural engineering.

In the second year of studies,
both classic and business and economics subjects as well as production engineering subjects from the agricultural sciences can be chosen. The degree program thus takes the changes in the agricultural sector into account, as the trend is moving away from primary production and toward the growing industry of food processing and marketing. Future-focused topics such as food safety, sustainable production, and resource conservation are constantly at the center of teaching and research. Besides this, the second year of studies is well-suited for a semester abroad.

The fourth semester is for the Master’s thesis. The students have six months to complete the thesis independently using scientific methods. You can choose to work on your own Agribusiness questions at the University or at an external company.

The goal of this Master's program, which is oriented on agriculture and business administration, is to prepare students for the job market as future leaders for companies and institutions in the agribusiness sector. Upon graduation, students have:

  • Broad basic economic knowledge
  • Knowledge of agricultural, environmental, and consumer issues
  • Analytical and conceptual skills
  • Innovative and independent thinking
  • Expertise in the subject and social skills

Students obtain a broad profile. With their degree, they are well-equipped for management in the agricultural or nutrition industries. The broad education prepares students for many different fields. These include:

  • Marketing and product management
  • Corporate management and organization
  • Consulting along the agro-food value chain
  • Research and development
  • Press and public relations
  • Client management
  • Trade (sales, purchasing)
  • Quality management
  • Environmental and sustainability management
  • Research and teaching tasks at universities
  • Cooperatives and associations

Potential employers are, for example:

  • Companies in the agricultural and nutrition sectors
  • Associations and government agencies dealing with agriculture and the environment
  • Cooperatives
  • Consulting and service companies, e.g. in banking, insurance, and tax advising
  • Advertising agencies or business consulting companies
  • Organizations active in development cooperation
  • Research institutions

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.

Extensive selection options make specialization or diversification possible. Students can choose from all the modules offered by of the Faculties of Agricultural Science and Business and Economics. Upon request, they can even select from all of the Master’s modules offered by the University of Hohenheim.

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.

Credits earned during a semester abroad can be easily recognized as semi-elective or elective modules.

The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences cooperates in research and teaching with 80 partner institutions worldwide including 40 universities in the ERASMUS+ program.

The University of Hohenheim’s Office of International Affairs offers information and advising on stays abroad and how to finance them through scholarships.

All about Agribusiness

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


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

Application deadlines
1st subject-related semester
  • for the winter semester: preferably by 15 July so that all formal requirements can be met in time. Applications can be submitted until 15 September.
  • for the summer semester: preferably by 15 January so that all formal requirements can be met in time. Applications can be submitted until 15 March.

Higher subject-related semesters

  • for the winter semester: preferably by 15 July so that all formal requirements can be met in time. Applications can be submitted until 15 September.
  • for the summer semester: preferably by 15 January so that all formal requirements can be met in time. Applications can be submitted until 15 March.
Requirements
Formal requirements
  • An above-average Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences or a related program with a natural science or economic 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 an above-average degree must be provided with an average grade of 2.5 or better or with a ranking
  • If the average grade is lower than 2.5, a ranking or proof of special aptitude for the degree program must be included
  • If applicable, proof of proof of sufficient German language proficiency (for applicants without a German university entrance qualification or German Bachelor’s degree)
You can find more information in the admission regulations and on our Checklist for Application Documents.
Content requirementsWhat is expected:
  • knowledge of mathematics,
  • good English skills, and
  • willingness to quickly learn contents that were not part of your previous education. Depending on your concentration during your Bachelor’s program, this could mean business and economic content or knowledge of plant and animal production engineering.
Language skillsGerman language proficiency required
Pre-study internshipno
Selection procedure
Selection criteriaNone. An above-average grade in the Bachelor’s program (see admission regulations) is a requirement for admission, however.
Selection interviewno

Contact person

 Kerstin Hoffbauer
 +49 711 459 23328
 E-mail