Agricultural Sciences (Master’s)

Many options for specialization or diversification


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

Across the world, agriculture is changing profoundly. Agricultural, environmental, and resource protection will be tasks of the future. The many interdisciplinary connections must be researched. This degree program offers optimal conditions with its diverse departments, scientists, and projects.

What you can expect:

  • Comprehensive Master’s program with the following majors
    - agricultural engineering
    - soil sciences
    - plant production systems
    - or without specialization
  • Specialized and interdisciplinary
  • Outstanding career prospects
  • Reasons to Choose Hohenheim

Other majors of this Master's program:


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

Study plan:

Each semester 30 credits are planned.

1st semester, 2nd semester, 3rd semester, 4th semester,
Compulsory modules and/or semi-elective modules, depending on the specialization or non-specialist focus Compulsory modules and/or semi-elective modules, depending on the specialization or non-specialist focus In each of the four subject areas or non-specialist areas, 30 credits can be freely selected, so that the 3rd semester is also suitable for a semester abroad.

Master’s Thesis
(30 credits)

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

In the first year of studies,
students take the required number of compulsory, semi-elective, and elective modules depending on their concentration. You can find information about the regulations for the different concentrations or the possibility of studying without choosing a specialization in the curriculum.

The second year of studies
serves to build up an individual profile. Around 280 modules are available. Students can choose either a detailed subject-specific profile or an interdisciplinary one. Besides this, the second year of studies is well-suited for a semester abroad.

The Master's thesis is also written during the second year. The students have six months to complete the thesis independently using scientific methods. They can choose their own research question in internal or external areas or the thesis can be carried out as part of existing projects (national and international).

The Master’s program conveys a comprehensive spectrum of theoretical and expert knowledge and is just as diverse as the questions that occupy agricultural scientists.

Students learn:

  • in-depth subject knowledge
  • how to apply scientific methods
  • scientific work
  • to grasp, transfer, and analyze natural scientific contexts in a solution-oriented manner
  • to systematically work though problem-solving approaches
  • to work in a team in a structure and goal-oriented manner.

After completing their degree, students can work in many different professions as managers. For those interested in science, it is also possible to continue with a doctorate.

After their studies, graduates have good chances on the national and international job market. Possible career fields are:

  • Planning and development
  • Research and teaching
  • Reviewers
  • Teaching and consulting
  • Press and public relations
  • Quality assurance
  • Marketing and sales
  • Development aid
  • Management

Potential employers are, for example:

  • Universities and other research and teaching institutions
  • Government agencies dealing with agriculture and the environment
  • Companies in the area of agriculture, horticulture, environment, or energy technology as well as water management
  • Companies in the supplier sector, in processing and in trade
  • Service providers
  • Associations or unions in the areas of agriculture, environment, and ecology
  • Development organizations

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.

You can choose from more than 200 modules offered by the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. Upon request, you can even select from all of the Master’s modules offered by the University of Hohenheim and the other cooperating universities.

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.

Because the last year of studies can be designed very flexibly, the credits completed during an exchange semester can be transferred as elective modules. Therefore, studying abroad does not mean that students have to repeat semesters at their home university.

The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences cooperates with 80 partner institutions in research and teaching, 40 of which are universities in ERASMUS programs.

The Office of International Affairs of the University of Hohenheim offers information and advice on studying abroad and scholarships.

All about Agricultural Sciences

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 semesterfor the winter semester: preferably by 15 July so that all formal requirements can be met in time. Applications are accepted 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 are accepted 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 degree program with a university in Germany or abroad or a university of applied sciences with a standard period of study of at least three years.
  • 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
  • Under certain conditions, graduates of non-related degree programs may be admitted (details can be found in the admission regulations)
  • If applicable, proof of proof of sufficient German language proficiency (for applicants without a German university entrance qualification or German Bachelor’s degree)

Because the number of places is not limited, everyone who fulfills the formal requirements and successfully completes the application process is admitted to the program!

You can find more information in the admission regulations and on our Checklist for Application Documents.

Content requirementsWhat is expected:
  • knowledge of agricultural science, mathematics, and natural science as well as
  • good English language skills in order to read textbooks in English
Language skillsGerman language proficiency required
Pre-study internshipno
Selection procedure
Selection criteriaNone
An above-average overall grade in your Bachelor’s program (see admission regulations) is an admission requirement, however
Selection interviewno

Contact

  Kerstin Hoffbauer
  +49 711 459 23328
  Email

Accreditation

The quality of the degree program is checked regularly.

Learn more about our quality management