Organic Agriculture and Food Systems (Master’s)

International Master’s Program in Organic Agriculture


Strong in Science and International

The organic sector is growing worldwide and farmers, processors, and consumers are increasingly interested in the quality and sustainable production of food. This means that the demand for experts in the field of organic agriculture is constantly increasing. The degree program "Organic Agriculture and Food Systems" takes this development into account with its interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary orientation.

The program can be studied as a "Single Degree" in Hohenheim or as a "Double Degree" with a stay abroad at one of the four partner universities in the 2nd year.

  • Can be studied either as a single degree or a full double degree from the University of Hohenheim and one of four partner universities in Austria, Poland, Denmark, or France
  • Close cooperation with the Center for Organic Farming
  • Optimal preparation for international careers in organic agriculture
  • Reasons to Choose Hohenheim

Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
4 semesters
120 credits
Language
English
University places
30
Location
Stuttgart
1st Semester
(at UHOH)
2nd Semester
(at UHOH)
3rd Semester
(UHOH, BOKU, AU, ISARA or SGGW)
4th Semester
(UHOH, BOKU, AU, ISARA or SGGW)
Organic Food Systems and Concepts
OR
Principles of Organic Food Systems
(6 Credits)
Global Agri-food Systems: Conventional, Organic and Beyond
(6 Credits)
Elective module
(6 Credits)
Elective module
(6 Credits)
Processing and Quality of Organic Food
(6 Credits)
Organic Plant Production
(6 Credits)
Elective module
(6 Credits)
Organic Livestock Farming and Products
(6 Credits)
Elective module
(6 Credits)
Elective module
(6 Credits)
Project in Organic Agriculture and Food Systems
(12 credits)
Elective module
(6 Credits)
Compulsory modules Elective module Credits

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

The first year of studies
includes the eight compulsory modules covering the basic aspects of organic agriculture and organic food processing along the value chain: Creation of organic products, product quality, sustainable use of natural resources, and analysis and evaluation of sustainable food systems.

The problem-oriented, interdisciplinary module “Project in Organic Agriculture and Food Systems” represents a key element of the program and is worth 12 credits.

In the second year of studies,
students can put together a study profile according to their individual wishes.

Students who opt for the double degree take their third and fourth semesters at one of the four partner universities:

  • University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Austria
  • Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Poland
  • Aarhus University (AU), Denmark
  • ISARA Lyon, France

This stay abroad gives students a deeper insight into the organic sector in another European country.

The Master's thesis can be written as part of ongoing research projects at Hohenheim ("Single Degree") or at the partner university ("Double Degree").

Organic farming is based on a holistic view of the food system, which is why the production, processing, and marketing of organic products requires special knowledge. Students acquire skills and knowledge in all relevant aspects of organic product creation (production, processing, marketing, certification):

  • Organic crop production
  • Organic animal husbandry
  • Organic agriculture in the tropics and subtropics
  • Food chains and food systems in organic agriculture
  • Market development of ecological agriculture in various countries

Students also learn:

  • to work in a team in a structure and goal-oriented manner,
  • to lead teams,
  • to systematically work though problem-solving approaches,
  • to think in terms of the entire system, and to work in an interdisciplinary manner.

Organic agriculture is a growing market requiring experts with well-founded knowledge in the production of organic food as well as processing and quality control. Graduates are employed in the following fields:

  • Organic food and cosmetic companies
  • Trade
  • Quality management and certification
  • Agricultural consulting
  • Non-governmental organizations and associations
  • Universities and research institutions
  • Certification

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

Organic organizations and career possibilities:
Alnatura
, Bioland, Demeter, NaturlandGreenjobs

Schirin Oeding (Canada/Germany), Graduate 2017, Project management and certification bei Demeter e.V.

“During my time at Hohenheim, I gained a strong foothold in the world of organic farming. The Organic Agriculture & Food Systems master program is a deep dive into a multi-faceted pool: students from all over the world lend the program an irreplaceable richness and depth. My studies in Hohenheim reinforced my belief that we can change the world for the better by tending to the health of our planet while working hand-in-hand to build strong communities, sustainable economies and just societies.”

 

Milica Biller-Sandalj (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Graduate 2013, Adviser on Food and Nutrition Security in Togo, GFA Consulting Group / GIZ GmbH

“When I look back on my master’s, I am very grateful for being able to develop my technical knowledge as well as my interpersonal skills. Essentially, the Organic program taught me a myriad of theoretical and real-life skills, be it through the fieldwork on the university field station, or in the classroom with many experienced professors and guest lecturers. Personally, the program allowed me to grow and evolve, by not limiting me in my approach to studying, just as research should do."


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.

The Center for Organic Farming creates a unique link between scientific teaching and research with the current job market: Institutions, companies, and farms in the organic industry.

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 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.

Double degree students spend the second year of their studies at their host university.

Single degree students can also spend the last year of their studies abroad. Credits earned during a semester abroad can be easily recognized as elective modules. This will not prolong your studies.

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


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
All non-EU applicants: Mid-November of the year before studies begin

Application deadlines
1st subject-related semesterOnly possible for the winter semester!
Germans, EU citizens: 1 June
Non-EU citizens: 15 March

Higher subject-related semesters

For the winter semester:
Germans, EU citizens: 1 June
Non-EU citizens: 15 March

For the summer semester:
All applicants: 15 January
Requirements
Formal requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Natural Sciences, or a related program 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 (totaling 180 ECTS credits)
  • Proof of English language skills
  • Proof of pre-test Organic Agriculture & Food Systems
Content criteriaWe require good knowledge of English and computers as well as the ability and willingness to work in intercultural teams.

Technology and software suggestions for new students
Language skillsEnglish language proficiency required
Pre-study internshipno
Selection procedure
Selection criteria
  • Grades and ranking in previous studies
  • Letter of recommendation from professors
  • Stay abroad lasting 3 months or longer
  • Letter of motivation
  • Additional points are given for vocational training, an intern examination, or proven two years of professional experience related to the degree program.
Selection interviewno

Accreditation

The quality of the degree program is checked regularly.

Learn more about our quality management