Agricultural Economics (AgEcon) University of Hohenheim

Decision-Makers for Global Agricultural Economy and Agricultural Policies

This research-based and methods-oriented programme deals with the economic, agricultural, and development policy relationships between the agricultural and food economy, the environment, and rural areas. In this English-language and international Master's programme funded by the DAAD, economic growth, sustainability, and social justice are central topics, especially in an international and development-related context.

• Method and research-oriented studies
• DAAD-funded programme with full scholarships for outstanding applicants from developing countries
• Studying together with students from all over the world
• Strong alumni network
• Many different career possibilities for agricultural economists

Objectives

This degree programme prioritises a comprehensive education in economic and agricultural theories and methodologies as well as their application to specific problems and contexts within the international agricultural and food sector.

The degree programme aims to educate agricultural economists in the following competencies:

• Theoretical concepts of agricultural economics
• Quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Integration of sustainability issues into policy analysis
• Interdisciplinary analysis of complex systems
• Communication and presentation techniques

Occupational fields

As the agri-food sector becomes more diverse, global, and highly technical, a growing variety of career opportunities is opening up for well-trained agricultural economists. At Hohenheim, students acquire the analytical skills and the necessary understanding of political contexts to be able to work in governmental and non-governmental organisations, international organisations, and the private sector. The programme also opens up excellent opportunities to complete a doctorate and pursue an academic career.

Typical areas of work for agricultural economists are found in the following areas:

• companies in the upstream and downstream sectors of the food and agricultural industries
• regulatory bodies along the value-added chain
• governmental and non-governmental organisations
• national and international organisations
• teaching and research institutions

The AgEcon alumni website offers you an insight into the careers of our alumni.

In the first year of study, students complete the five compulsory modules:

• Agricultural and Food Policy
• Applied Econometrics
• Environmental and Resource Economics
• Farm System Modelling
• Microeconomics

In addition, five elective modules can be chosen from the fields of agricultural development, international agricultural trade, world food economy, agricultural and food policy, methods of empirical economic and social research, etc. Lectures are supplemented by computer exercises, group discussions, seminar papers, and case studies, which are worked out and presented in groups or as individual papers.

In the second year of study,

students can choose five further elective modules from a large catalogue of subjects. This ensures a solid education in the sub-disciplines of agricultural economics, while at the same time providing sufficient freedom to put together a programme that suits individual career planning. The academic programme advisers from among the instructors advise students on selecting their modules and planning their studies in order to make sure everything goes smoothly and progresses as planned.

In the second year of studies, the Master's thesis is also completed according to the students’ chosen specialisation.

Curriculum

Internships are not compulsory, but they are recommended. The internship must be organised by the student and has to fit the schedule of the programme. The CareerCenter Hohenheim runs a database for internship offers and assists in finding suitable placements.

Formal requirements

• An above-average Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences or Business Administration and Economics or a related programme at a university in Germany or abroad with a standard period of study of at least 3 years or an equivalent degree (totalling 180 ECTS)
• If the final grade or average grade of this degree is not above average, the applicant must also prove their special aptitude for the degree programme.
• At least 6 ECTS credits in microeconomics and statistics
• Proof of English language skills
• Result of the AgEcon pre-test: It is compulsory to complete the test before the application deadline, but the test results will not influence the chances of admission.

For more information, go to www.uni-hohenheim.de/en/application-agecon-info.

Additional requirements

We expect good English and IT skills as well as the ability and willingness to work in intercultural teams.

Universities in Baden-Württemberg require their students to pay a semester contribution towards the administration costs, for student services and for the Student Parliament. Student services provide many benefits, such as discounted tickets for public transportation. The semester contribution amounts to approx. 175 EUR per semester.

Baden-Württemberg has the highest standard of living in Germany. The downside is that living costs are slightly above the German average. However, the cost of living can vary enormously depending on your personal lifestyle and where you live. It is generally more expensive to live in a bigger city like Stuttgart, where the University of Hohenheim is located. As a rule of thumb, 950 EUR to 1,000 EUR per month should be enough. The largest monthly expense is usually for rent, accounting for a third of the total cost of living for most students. These costs can be cut substantially by sharing a flat or living in a dorm. A typical example of monthly expenses could look like this:

• Rent: 350 EUR to 500 EUR
• Health insurance: approx. 110 EUR
• Public transport: approx. 60 EUR
• Study materials: 100 EUR
• Food and drink: 150 EUR to 250 EUR
• Leisure and hobbies: approx. 100 EUR

The University of Hohenheim provides students with the opportunity to take on assistant jobs within the campus premises. Students are entrusted with the responsibility of scheduling their working hours in a manner that does not interfere with their academic commitments. Additionally, students have the option to seek employment off campus as permitted by the Aliens Act. It is important to note that finding jobs off campus may be challenging without a strong command of the German language.

More information can be found here.

Numerous funding opportunities exist for Master's thesis projects abroad, offered by various foundations. Detailed information is available here.

BRICKS. The Qualification Programme for Entering the German Job Market

The BRICKS project at the University of Hohenheim helps international students prepare for their careers in Germany. The programme provides personalised career training, language development, practical experience, and networking opportunities with top companies, empowering students to shape their professional future in Germany.

CareerCenter Hohenheim

CareerCenter Hohenheim offers guidance and support to students and graduates in areas such as professional orientation, building a professional profile, and the application process. The centre actively fosters connections with business and industrial partners, ensuring early engagement with the professional world through information events, seminars on essential skills, internships, and more.

Student residences on campus

At the University of Hohenheim, several student residence halls are located on campus. They are managed by Student Services Tübingen-Hohenheim. There is a high demand for these rooms, which is why usually only a small number of applications will be successful.

International (non-EU) students have a much more difficult time than Germans in finding private accommodation at the start of their studies when they are searching from their home countries. Therefore, the university provides a quota of rooms for international students. This enables a larger number of new international students to have a room in a residence hall. To be able to offer this special assistance at the start of studies, the rental duration for these rooms is limited to two years for Master's students.

Additionally, the house-hunting assistance offers support in finding a room on the private market.