The MSc programme in Organic Agriculture and Food Systems (EUR-Organic) is a unique degree combining high-ranking research environments with state-of-the-art knowledge from industry leaders in organic food production. It prepares students to develop the solutions of tomorrow, focusing on goals such as high crop yields, high animal welfare, and low environmental impact. Students also learn how agriculture systems and current methods of food production work. At Aarhus University organic agriculture is an integrated part of all courses, and therefore the programme for students specialising in organic agriculture also includes courses focused on farming in an organic setting.

AN INTERNATIONAL DOUBLE DEGREE

This programme is a collaboration between four leading European universities in the field of agriculture and life sciences (Aarhus University, the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, the University of Natural Resources and Life Science in Vienna, and the Warsaw University of Life Sciences).

Students spend one year at their chosen home university and one year at their chosen host university and receive a degree from both institutions. Each university takes a different thematic approach to organic food production, with Aarhus University’s specialisms including organic agriculture with a focus on animal or plant production, health, and welfare/nutrition.

For detailed information on each university’s specialisms, visit www.eur-organic.eu.

AN IDEAL STUDY ENVIRONMENT

Denmark is a world leader in organic food production, which provides the ideal setting for specialising in this field. The Danish government was one of the first to prioritise organic production, and an increasingly high percentage of food produced in Denmark today is organic.  

This programme gives students an international profile, network, and perspective. Students will be exposed to differing parameters in different countries and agriculture systems around the world, and they will learn from their peers’ different ways of approaching a problem – a perfect preparation for a future career in an increasingly globalised industry.  

CAREER PROFILE

Graduates can choose from a wide range of careers in supporting organic farming development. Recent graduates have worked in research and in primary production with national, regional and local authorities, and advisory services.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Admission to the double degree programme in Agrobiology at Aarhus University requires a relevant bachelor’s degree within the field of life science such as plant, animal, or veterinary science. Detailed admissions requirements and more information about the programme are available at www.eur-organic.eu.

SELECTION CRITERIA

As the Master’s programme admits only a limited number of students each year, meeting the admission requirements does not in itself guarantee admission to the programme. Student places are allocated on the basis of an overall assessment. In evaluating qualified applicants, the admissions committee assesses applicants according to the following criteria: academic background; overall grade level of bachelor’s degree; grades achieved on relevant courses; and relevant courses (measured in credit units) included in the bachelor’s degree.

Relevant courses include core courses within the subject areas of agrobiology, chemistry, biochemistry, cytology, zoology, botany, mathematics, statistics, and probability calculus.

A WORLD RESEARCH LEADER

Aarhus University’s research in agricultural sciences is cutting-edge and puts it in the front rank of agricultural science institutions worldwide. The core areas of research are: climate and natural resources, environment and bioenergy, organic farming, food quality, farm animal production, and plant production.

Sustainability is a fundamental principle. The goal is to seek solutions that contribute to environmentally and economically sustainable development of the agricultural and food industries.

IN THE RANKINGS

Agricultural Sciences at Aarhus University ranks 9. in the 2021 US News Best Global Universities Ranking and 2. in the 2020 Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities, in which Food Science and Technology ranks 2. and Agriculture and Forestry at AU ranks 37. in the 2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

In general, admission to a master’s degree programme requires successful completion of a relevant and recognised university degree equivalent to a Danish bachelor’s degree in level and length (180 ECTS). In addition, you must meet the specific requirements for the individual programme, including language requirements. If you wish to study a master’s degree at Aarhus University, please check out our page ‘Am I qualified for admission’: https://masters.au.dk/am-i-qualified-for-admission

If you are curious about how to submit a master’s degree application to Aarhus University, then make sure to check out our ‘Apply Now’ page. Here you can find information about relevant fees, guides, and video tutorials on how to use the application portal: https://masters.au.dk/apply-now

There are the same English language requirements for all international students with a few exceptions. The general English language requirements for master’s degrees can be found here: https://masters.au.dk/am-i-qualified-for-admission/english-language-requirements

Aarhus University offers a limited number of Danish state scholarships for highly qualified non-EU students applying for master’s degrees. You can read more about scholarships here: https://masters.au.dk/scholarships-and-grants

Students from outside the EU are generally required to pay tuition and application fee. You can consult our page Tuition fees for master’s degree programmes: https://masters.au.dk/tuitionfees

Would you like to chat with a fellow student from your country, or with someone who studies the programme you are interested in? You can get help with your questions from Aarhus University’s Student Ambassadors: https://international.au.dk/education/meetau/chat-with-our-students/