International Master's in Farm Management (MFM) Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences

The programme focuses on applied studies in the fields of agricultural economics & management as well as in applied information technologies. Specific training methods such as instruction in small seminars/workshops, special projects and computer-based business simulations provide practical relevance and experience in the team approach to solving problems. Case studies and special projects are used to carry out international comparisons of costs, structural parameters and organisational solutions.

Compulsory modules are as follows:

• Production Economics in Agriculture
• Business Management in Agriculture
• Farm Management and Controlling
• Farm Planning
• Business Informatics & Empirical Social Research
• Agricultural Policy
• International Agricultural Marketing Strategies
• Project Planning & Evaluation
• the Master's thesis.

Some of the compulsory elective modules are:

• Crop Production, Livestock Production, and/or Agricultural Mechanisation
• Consulting Methods, Farming Systems Research, and/or Agricultural Mechanisation
• International Trade in the Agricultural Sector
• Sustainable Energy Management
• German as Foreign Language.

Students must choose one of the following specialisations:

• Strategic Management Consulting in Agriculture
• Technical and Economic Consulting in Agricultural Mechanisation or
• Applied Research & Development projects.

First semester: practical semester (internship)

The students live on the specially selected training farms together with the farming family. They are involved in day-to-day farm work. In addition to weekly online units for subject-specific support, two courses are held at the university (animal husbandry course & applied production economics). In addition to the technical training, weekly German lessons are offered online.

During this first semester, students are supervised by staff from the university. Towards the end, there are examinations and interviews in applied economics.

Second & third semesters: theoretical semesters (on campus)

The second semester at the university has five compulsory modules, each with 5 EC (European credit points):

• Business Management in Agriculture
• Production Economics in Agriculture
• Farm Management & Controlling
• Business Informatics & Empirical Social Research
• Farm Planning.

The remaining 5 EC come from one elective profile module, e.g. the seminars in Crop Production, Agricultural Mechanisation and/or Agricultural Mechanisation.

During the third semester, students are required to attend two compulsory modules (each with 5 EC):

• Agricultural Policy Seminar
• International Agricultural Marketing Strategies.

The remaining 20 EC come from one specialisation (10 EC):

• Strategic Management Consulting in Agriculture
• Technical and Economic Consulting in Agricultural Mechanisation or
• Applied Research and Development

and from two mandatory elective modules (each 5 EC):

• Consulting Methods, Farming Systems Research, and/or Agricultural Cooperatives
• a German course.

The fourth semester comprises the module in Project Planning & Project Evaluation (5 EC). One mandatory elective module (5 EC: Sustainable Energy Management or International Trade in the Agricultural Sector) is compulsory.

Additionally, the Master's thesis (15 EC) must be completed. The topic should refer to an applied problem in the student's home country. At the beginning of the Master's thesis, students have the opportunity to participate in lectures on formal and methodological aspects of writing scientific papers.

Moreover, the programme requires each student to participate in a work placement of at least four weeks during the fourth semester or during the breaks between the previous semesters. The company for the placement, usually a consultancy, trading or agricultural service company, can be proposed by the student.

Two essential, compulsory internship placements are included in the programme:

• First semester: Farming internship semester on one of the university's certified partner farms
• Business internship (minimum four weeks): Practical training takes place in a company or institution trading with agricultural inputs or produce, dealing with processing and marketing of produce or offering services for agriculture such as advisory services, agricultural financing, bookkeeping, or tax consulting.

Applications for admission to the summer semester can be submitted each year from late November/early December of the previous year onwards.

Information on the application deadlines can be found on the university's website.

Completed Bachelor's degree or diploma certificate IN THE FIELD OF AGRICULTURE with:

• final average overall grade of at least "good" (>75%) according to German grading scale in Bachelor or Diploma study course and
• a language certificate in English (details below)
• Applicants who completed their undergraduate degree outside of Germany need to submit a preliminary review documentation ("Vorprüfungsdokumentation  – VPD") from uni-assist.
• An additional certificate from an Academic Verification Office (APS) in their home country is necessary for applicants with a degree from India, the People's Republic of China, or Vietnam.

The degree programme is free of tuition, but all students are required to pay moderate semester fees. At the time of publication, these amounted to 72 EUR/semester, due upon re-enrolment prior to the start of each new semester.

When applying for a visa or residence permit, students usually need to prove they can afford to study and live in Germany. As of 2026, that is deemed proven if they have at least 992 EUR available per month.

Living expenses in Triesdorf are approx. 700 to 900 EUR per month. In and around Triesdorf, rent amounts to approx. 250 to 350 EUR per month.

Yes, there is the possibility of finding part-time employment – Triesdorf campus is home to a large number of international students from all over the world, and the majority of them – once fully settled in and around Triesdorf – have been able to find employment in order to financially support themselves whilst studying.

A limited number of scholarships are allocated by the university. The beneficiaries are determined by the examinations commission on the basis of performance.

The Career Service supports students during their studies and during the transition from university to employment in all aspects of seeking and applying for employment and in acquiring key skills. The free services of the Career Service are open to all students in all semesters. Students benefit from workshops, lectures and e-learning opportunities, junior mentoring in Triesdorf, career coaching, career mentoring, advice, and application checks.

For international students, the Career Service offers a wide range of services, with a special focus on facilitating successful career entry in Germany.