MSc in Agrobiology
Aarhus, Denmark
DURATION
4 Semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 15,300 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* 15 January for non-EU citizens and 1 March for EU citizens
** for non-EU/EEA students only | EU/EEA students study for free
Introduction
Developing solutions for healthy food production while decreasing environmental impact and increasing animal welfare is the main focus of the Agrobiology program at Aarhus University. Topics of study are genetics, biotechnology, production systems, and the interaction of agriculture with nature, among others. The program is broadly science-based with a focus on applicability and problem-solving and takes an integrative approach to learning about the biology of food production.
A Cross-Sectoral Approach
The core of this program is biology, with perspectives on sustainability, environmental impact, animal health and welfare, plant health, and product quality. Students can choose between specializations including animal nutrition, plant nutrition, animal health and welfare, plant health, and pest management, or combine animal and plant sciences. Because this is a cross-disciplinary education, students can also choose courses from other academic programs.
Students will learn analytical and problem-solving skills, how to do research, and how to generate new knowledge. In this program, emphasis is placed as much on academic and professional skills as on applied skills.
Sustainable Production of Animals and Plants
Students must choose one of four tracks...
- Animal Health and Welfare
- Agronomy and Environment
- Plant Nutrition and Health
- Organic Agriculture
- Organic Agriculture and Food Systems (EUR-Organic) (Double Degree)
... and tailor their degree with elective courses on top of the mandatory courses of their track. Finally, the master’s thesis can be completed either in a university research context or a company R&D environment. The MSc in Agrobiology builds on solid, biological knowledge of sustainable animal and plant production, set in the perspectives of health, welfare, product quality, and environmental impact. Graduates will be well-equipped to work with both producers and end-users in agricultural production and to communicate effectively about their field in the public arena.
An International degree
The international character of the challenges facing agricultural production and the science underpinning the MSc in Agrobiology make the international perspective an intrinsic part of this degree and its learning environment. The program hosts international students from all over the world, and many students take advantage of the opportunity to study outside Denmark for a semester at one of our partner universities or as part of our double-degree program in Organic Agriculture and Food Systems, www.eur-organic.eu. The double-degree status of this program means that students receive both a master’s degree from Aarhus University and a master’s degree from the partner university at which they choose to complete the rest of the degree. Read more about this program on its program page.
Agricultural Sciences at Aarhus University
The field of Agricultural Sciences at Aarhus University belongs to the elite among agricultural science institutions worldwide and carries out cutting-edge research. 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 the environmentally and economically sustainable development of the agricultural and food industries.
Agricultural Sciences 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.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please visit the university website for more information.
Curriculum
Specialisation Tracks
On the Master's degree programme in Agrobiology you will have to choose one of the following specialisation tracks:
Animal Health and Welfare
Students following Animal Health and Welfare will specialize in topics such as animal breeding, applied behavioral biology, animal diseases, or food science. You will obtain basic insight into the basis for animal-based food production. On completion of the degree program, you will be able to assess the energy and nutrient requirements of livestock for growth purposes, milk production, and reproduction and assess the interaction between management, production, health, and animal welfare in typical livestock production systems.
The specialization is targeted at careers in which knowledge of primary animal production plays a central role (for example as production advisors, teachers in agricultural colleges, or jobs in public administration or research).
Agronomy and Environment
If you choose Agronomy and Environment, you will have compulsory courses in the first and some of the second semesters. Hereafter you can specialize in topics such as sustainability, environment, and agriculture. The core of this specialization is to work towards solutions that combine the increasing demand for food with sustainable management of nature, the climate, and the environment. You will acquire a holistic understanding of agro-ecosystem processes and the interaction between agricultural production, nature, and environmental management.
The specialization aims at careers in which knowledge of agriculture, nature, the environment, and climate interactions plays a central role. There are job opportunities in regional environment agencies, municipal nature conservation offices, agricultural advisory services, firms of consulting engineers, educational institutions, NGOs concerned with nature and the environment, engineering firms, and EU institutions, ministries, and other public authorities. Research is also an obvious career path.
Plant Nutrition and Health
If you choose Plant Nutrition and Health, you will specialize in topics such as foods, feed and bioenergy, cropping systems, and plant biotechnology. The goal of this specialization track is to give students a basic insight into the elements of plant growth that are common for all crops.
The degree program is aimed at careers in which knowledge about primary plant production is a prerequisite, for example as production advisors, in commercial plant breeding, as teachers at agricultural and technical colleges, and in research, but the line will also form a good basis for jobs in public administration where expertise in plant production will be an advantage in, for example, local administration and governmental organizations.
Organic Agriculture
This specialization track is divided into two: Animal Health and Welfare or Plant Nutrition and Health, combined with a focus on organic agriculture. The approach is characterized by a high degree of interdisciplinarity with emphasis on project work and contact with farms and research.
Graduating from this specialization track can lead to employment opportunities in areas supporting the development of organic farming and food production. This includes advisory work, teaching, research, and management.
1 semester
- Animal Production Practices (5 ECTS)
- Quantitative Animal Nutrition and Physiology (10 ECTS)
- Animal Production, Health and Welfare (10 ECTS)
- Elective Courses (5 ECTS)
2 semester
Elective Courses (30 ECTS)
3 semester
Elective Courses (30 ECTS)
4 semester
Master's Thesis in Agrobiology (30 ECTS)
Program Outcome
International students make up roughly one-third of each class, providing students with international knowledge and perspectives and the possibility to learn about different academic and agricultural environments. Because agriculture industries and environmental impacts are international, it is natural to include different national perspectives in discussions about these topics.
Denmark is an ideal place to study agriculture because of its huge food production industry, extensive agricultural research, and strict environmental regulations. International students gain the chance to learn from leaders in sustainable food production, and Danish students can learn about conditions outside Denmark.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Students in the program have a strong basis within their track, combined with an individual profile through choice elective subjects. This creates very flexible career opportunities in the agricultural and food sector, both nationally and internationally. Typical job opportunities will be in consulting services for primary production, in agriculture and food-related industries, in teaching and research, or public administration and bodies such as the EU.