Organic Agriculture and Food Systems, MSc

University of Hohenheim, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences

Disciplines:

Agriculture, Forestry, Animal & Related Sciences

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Quick facts

Country:	Germany	Duration:	24 Months
City:	Stuttgart	Start Date:	October
Educational Form:	Taught	Languages:	English
Education Variants:	Full Time
Application Deadline:	July 1; Non EU: March 15.
Annual Tuition Fee:	€ 1000

Programme Description

Consumers are increasingly interested in the quality of their food and the circumstances of its production. For this reason, a growing amount of food is produced and processed according to the standards of organic farming. These standards ensure:

* high product quality
* sound use of natural and human resources
* maintenance of biodiversity
* implementation of sustainable production systems
* without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers

Organic farming is based on a holistic approach and thus the processing and marketing of organically grown food requires special skills and knowledge.

As the market for organic products is growing on a world wide scale, there is a need for experts that can provide knowledge on organic food chain management including primary food production, food technology and quality control.

To meet this demand, the University of Hohenheim has developed the M.Sc. Programme Organic Agriculture and Food Systems. This programme is designed to prepare people of all nationalities for these challenging tasks.

The University of Hohenheim is one of Europe's leading universities in the field of agricultural sciences. Its master's degrees fulfill top standards, and its graduates are highly competitive on the international job market.

After successful completion of all modules as well as the thesis, the student is awarded the degree "Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Organic Agriculture and Food Systems". This degree entitles the student to continue with a Ph.D./doctoral research if the total grade is above average.

Within the M.Sc. Programme Organic Agriculture and Food Systems, the students have the chance to obtain a Double Degree from the Universität Hohenheim and one of the following partner universities:

* University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Austria
* Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW (WULS-SGGW), Poland

In this case, the student will spent the first and second semester at the Universität Hohenheim (home university). In the third semester he or she will chose a specialisation at on of the partner universities (host university). The master thesis will also be completed at the partner university.

A side of the double degree there is still the opportunity to obtain a single degree in Organic Agriculture and Food Systems, while staying enrolled the entire period of your studies at the University of Hohenheim. Deciding on the single degree the possibility of one exchange semester abroad will also be possible.

Contents
Requirements
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The two-year M. Sc. programme "Organic Agriculture and Food Systems" copmprises four semesters, during which fifteen thematic modules and the Master Thesis have to be completed. The language of instruction is English.
To tackle problems in quality control and processing, knowledge of all aspects of the organic food chain is necessary. Therefore, the M.Sc. programme follows a general approach including primary production as well as processing and marketing. Modern teaching methods such as:

* discussion sessions,
* research seminars,
* case studies and
* excursions to organic farms and processing companies

are an integrated part of the curriculum. The problem-based interdisciplinary "Organic Food Chain Project" constitutes a major focus of the course.
Students are encouraged to spend the third semester at a partner university abroad, to gain additional experience and to strengthen their individual profile. Assessment is based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), which facilitates such kind of international mobility.

Structure of the Master Programme
Eight of the fifteen modules are compulsory and cover the core aspects of organic food chain management. In case an applicant already offers a documented entry qualification in organic agriculture, food processing of organic food one to three compulsory modules can be substituted by electives. The individual combination of modules gives each student the opportunity to tailor a specific profile according to his or her own career aspirations.

Semester 1 and 2:
8 Compulsory Modules
- Markets and Marketing of Organic Farming - Organic Food Chain Project
- Organic Livestock Farming
- Organic Food Systems and Concepts
- Organic Livestock Farming and Products
- Organic Plant Production
- Processing and Quality of Organic Food
- Socioeconomics of Organic Farming
- Social Conditions of Organic and Sustainable Agriculture
2 Elective Modules

Semester 3:
5 Elective Modules

Semester 4:
Master Thesis
In the third and fourth semester, students choose an additional five modules and work on their thesis. The thesis topic and the supervisor can be chosen from either compulsory or elective modules. It is expected that the Master Thesis will pursue empirical or theoretical questions related to ongoing research projects, but students´ own suggestions and ideas in this matter are actively encouraged . It is also possible to carry out the master thesis at one of the various partner universities or research institutions abroad.

You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test if you come from a non-English speaking country.

Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.

More information

Requirements

Admission to the M.Sc. programme "Organic Agriculture and Food Systems" at Hohenheim is restricted to 46 students per year. Students require an above-average Bachelor of Science or an equivalent degree in Agriculture or a related discipline following at least three years of university studies oder German FH studies. Over and above these general entry requirements, selection will be based upon grades, educational background and relevant professional experience. Additional professional qualifications can also be considered.

Finance and visa requirements see study programme website.