Agricultural Sciences (Master’s)
Major: Advisory and Innovation Services in Agri-Food Systems
Consulting for sustainable innovations
Agricultural Sciences (Master’s)
Major: Advisory and Innovation Services in Agri-Food Systems
Consultancy for sustainable solutions
Do you want to get involved in the agriculture and food industry and help businesses or organizations successfully respond to change? Then the Master’s program “Advisory and Innovation Services in Agri-Food Systems” in the field of agricultural sciences is just right for you. Here you’ll learn how to establish and advance sustainable practices in agri-food systems by providing professional guidance and promoting innovation. Become part of this movement and help shape the future of the industry!
What you can expect:
- Professional and methodological training as an advisory specialist
- Tools for operational planning and risk management in companies
- Diagnosis and evaluation of agricultural knowledge and innovation systems (AKIS)
- Concepts and instruments for planning, implementing, and evaluating political measures
- Self-selected professional specialization
- Reasons to Choose Hohenheim
Note: The contents stated here are subject to approval by the MWK (Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts Baden-Württemberg).
| Degree Master of Science (M.Sc.) |
4 semesters 120 credits |
Language English |
University places unlimited |
Location Stuttgart |
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Support problem solving, promote innovation, bring people together, and provide advice
The program is divided into three phases:
- The acquisition of basic professional and methodological qualifications through compulsory and semi-elective modules,
- The formation of a personal profile through a targeted selection of elective modules, research, and/or organizational internships, and
- The acquisition of scientific and in-depth professional skills by carrying out the Master's thesis.
The four compulsory modules on agricultural extension systems, governance mechanisms, innovation promotion, and business management together comprise 24 ECTS credits. For this purpose, you choose five semi-elective modules with a total of 30 ECTS credits from different areas of agricultural sciences.
After that you can choose elective modules with a total of 36 ECTS credits from the entire range of diverse Master’s modules offered by the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. Of these, up to 30 ECTS credits can be earned with a professional internship.
If you like, you can also use the third semester to study abroad. It’s easy to have the modules you take during the semester abroad recognized.
You want to know more?
Detailed information about the course and structure of the degree program can be downloaded here:
- Curriculum
- Module catalog [Link will be posted here]
- Examination regulations
- Admission regulations
- Communication and Advisory Services in Rural Areas major
- Social and Institutional Change in Agricultural Development major
Video on the Advisory and Innovation Services major
Preparing scientific results for use by practitioners
The growth of agricultural knowledge worldwide is impressive, but its dissemination and application is lagging. An internship can help train the skills needed to prepare knowledge and innovations for practitioners in order to design sustainable food systems.
Gaining practical experience
This major has its own Master’s internship module (“Advisory and Innovation Services Internship”), which provides internships in consulting organizations and research institutions, including European research projects with multi-actor approaches. This elective module has 30 ECTS credits. In addition to the 6-month internship period (6 months can be divided into 2 internships of 3 months each), you will prepare a seminar paper and present it in three online seminar sessions (start-mid-end). The module is graded and counts for 12 ECTS credits towards the final grade. The module is open only to students in this major.
Expanding competences
You will find additional further education opportunities on campus in the form of the F.I.T continuing education courses, the “Artificial Intelligence and Data Science in Hohenheim” (AIDAHO) certificate, or the start-up support in the “Innovation Greenhouse”.
Learning from practice
In required and elective modules, advisory professionals report on their work. Case studies with analyses of knowledge and innovation systems in Europe will show you the practical relevance and political usefulness of the concepts. You can also do your Master’s thesis in collaboration with a consulting organization.
Strengthen language and intercultural skills
Would you like to acquire further language skills? For this purpose, the Language Center at the University of Hohenheim offers various semester and intensive courses that you can take individually during your studies. You can even acquire the UniCert III C1 certificate as part of an elective module. During your studies, you will also acquire intercultural skills naturally by interacting with your fellow students from all over the world.
Research during your studies
In our modules we use different teaching and learning methods. Discovery and reflective learning are two of them. Student research projects and involvement in multi-actor projects will give you insights and your own experience in scientific work.
What makes our degree program so special?
- The subject area ‘Communication and Counselling in Rural Areas’ only exists in Germany at the University of Hohenheim
- Through the ongoing research projects in the field of agricultural knowledge and innovation systems (AKIS), research and practice orientation go hand in hand in the degree program.
- You have a wide range of modules to choose from at the Hohenheim Faculty of Agricultural Sciences with more than 50 professors. This allows you to develop an individual professional focus (e.g., crop production, animal production, business management, organic farming, etc.)
Good reasons for studying at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences in Hohenheim
Good reasons to study at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences in 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.
You can choose from more than 200 modules offered by the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. Upon request, you can even select from all of the Master’s modules offered by the University of Hohenheim and the other cooperating universities.
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 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 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 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 future lack of experts and managers in the area of agriculture / nutrition / horticulture means students of agricultural will have good career prospects. This was shown by a 2015 study by the Bundesverband Agrar Ernährung Umwelt (VDL).
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. |
Interesting and individual career prospects
Become an expert in knowledge transfer, advising, and innovation promotion in the agricultural sector! The Advisory and Innovation Services in Agri-Food Systems major provides you with a comprehensive education to offer tailored services in the various areas of agri-food systems.
You can identify problems and effectively support and shape change processes in farms as well as agri-food networks along the value chain.
The following career paths are open to you:
- Consulting and service companies
- Agricultural administration
- Organizational development in the agri-food sector
- Organizations of international cooperation and development
For those interested in science who complete their degree with an above-average overall grade, it is possible to continue into a doctoral program.
Students and Alumni
Topics related to Advisory and Innovation Services in Agri-Food Systems
| Application deadlines | |
|---|---|
| 1st subject-related semester | for the winter semester: 15 September (Germans, EU citizens) 15 March (non-EU citizens) |
Higher subject-related semesters | Application to a higher semester is possible for the winter semester (application deadline: German, EU citizens: 15 September, non-EU citizens: 15 March) and summer semester (application deadline: All applications: 15 January). |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Formal requirements | The major “Advisory and Innovation Services in Agri-Food Systems” in the Master’s program in Agricultural Sciences requires knowledge of agricultural sciences and land use and the economics and social sciences of agriculture in depth as taught in Bachelor's degree programs in agricultural sciences, horticulture, specialty crops, and agricultural and forest ecology. If you have completed one of these Bachelor’s degree programs, or a related degree program, you are in the right place.
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| Content requirements | You should have the following interests and knowledge in addition to the formal criteria:
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| Language skills |
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| Pre-study internship | no |
| Selection procedure | |
|---|---|
| Selection criteria | None, the number of places is not limited For details, see the Admission Regulations (in German).
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| Selection interview | no |
