Organic Agriculture and Food Systems (EUR-Organic) University of Hohenheim

International Master’s programme in Organic Agriculture

The Organic Agriculture and Food Systems Master's programme is perfect for those passionate about sustainable, ecological, and ethical food production, encompassing cultivation, processing, and quality assurance. You will gain a transdisciplinary or interdisciplinary insight into organic agriculture, depending on your personal interests. The organic sector is growing worldwide, and employers are increasingly interested in experts in the field of organic agriculture.

The programme can be studied either as a "single degree" in Hohenheim or as a "double degree", which includes a stay abroad during the second year at one of five partner universities in Austria, Poland, France, Italy or the Netherlands.

• Close collaboration with the Coordination Office for “Organic Farming and Consumer Protection”
• Optimal preparation for international careers in organic agriculture
• Many contacts in the farming sector

Objectives

Organic farming is based on a holistic approach, and the processing and marketing of organically grown food requires special skills and knowledge. Graduates will acquire knowledge and skills related to all the relevant aspects (production, processing, marketing, and certification) of the organic sector:

• organic crop production
• organic animal husbandry
• organic agriculture in the tropics and subtropics
• organic food chains and networks
• consumer demands
• organic market developments in different European countries.

Furthermore, students improve the following skills:

• working in teams in a structured and goal-oriented way
• leading teams
• systematically developing solutions.

Occupational fields

Ecological 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 active in the following careers:

• organic food and cosmetic companies
• trade
• quality management and certification
• (agricultural) consulting services
• non-governmental organisations or other associations
• universities and research institutions
• international organic certification offices.

Successful completion of the Master's programme also qualifies students for participation in a doctoral degree programme.

In the first year of the programme, you will learn about the fundamental aspects of organic agriculture in three compulsory modules. Among these modules is "Project in Organic Agriculture and Food Systems," which is a problem-oriented, interdisciplinary module. This module spans two semesters during the first year of study. You will personally collect data on farms or within a company, engaging in scientific work within interdisciplinary teams. You will also choose at least three semi-elective modules and three elective modules. These will allow you to acquire expertise in the production, processing, and product quality of organic food. The sustainable use of natural resources and the analysis and evaluation of sustainable food systems are also possible topics in which you can specialise.

In the second year of the programme, you can tailor a study profile from our wide range of modules to suit your individual interests.

You can either continue your studies in Hohenheim or opt for the double degree. In this case, your third and fourth semesters will take place at one of the five partner universities:

• University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria
• Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland
• ISARA Lyon, France
• University of Tuscia, Italy
• Wageningen University, Netherlands

During this time abroad, students obtain more in-depth insights in the ecological sector in a second European country. This will expand their life and work experience both culturally and professionally.

The Master's thesis can be completed as part of an ongoing research project in Hohenheim (“single degree”) or at a partner university (“double degree”).

Curriculum

• University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria
• Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland
• ISARA Lyon, France
• University of Tuscia, Italy
• Wageningen University, Netherlands

Internships are not compulsory, but they are recommended. The internship must be organised by the student and must 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, natural sciences, or a related programme with a standard period of study of at least three years (totalling 180 ECTS credits)
• If an applicant's final grade or grade point average of the degree is not above average, they can demonstrate their special suitability for the programme if necessary.
• Proof of English proficiency

Additional requirements

• Interest in ecology, agricultural sciences, and sustainability
• Practical experience in nature, agriculture, and the environment
• System-oriented thinking and interdisciplinary work
• 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, which are 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.