Sustainable International Agriculture (SIA), MSc

Overview

This two-year, English-language MSc programme is a joint offering of the agricultural faculties at the Universities of Göttingen and Kassel-Witzenhausen. It awards a Master of Science in Sustainable International Agriculture, an internationally recognised degree that also meets requirements to progress to doctoral (PhD) studies. The curriculum is internationally oriented and combines theoretical, methodological and practical training across ecological, socio-economic and production-oriented topics.

Specialisations and learning focus

You can choose one of three specialised study profiles. The International Agribusiness and Rural Development Economics track trains you to analyse socio-economic interactions in agriculture using up-to-date quantitative and qualitative methods, from global trade and food-security questions down to household-level production and poverty issues — preparing graduates for roles in research, business, government and international organisations. The International Organic Agriculture profile allows you to focus fully on organic farming, covering soil, crop and animal science together with environmental, social and economic perspectives; it emphasises critical review of literature, statistical analysis of hard and soft data, lab and field methods, and interpretation and presentation of research. The Tropical Agricultural and Agroecosystems Sciences profile prepares students for sustainable land use in tropical and subtropical systems through modules in soil, plant, animal and socio-economic sciences and method-oriented classes; it includes hands-on experience via participation in ongoing long-term field research and a biannual two-week excursion to a tropical country.

Facilities, practical experience and career relevance

The programme supports applied learning with practical infrastructure such as a research greenhouse, a 340-hectare research farm, various laboratories and IT resources, and opportunities to join faculty field projects. Across all profiles, students acquire analytical and methodological skills to assess and improve agroecosystems, making them suitable for careers in research, development, policy, administration and the private sector, as well as for further academic study.

Quick facts

• Duration: 2 years (MSc)
• Language of instruction: English
• Joint programme between the Universities of Göttingen and Kassel-Witzenhausen
• Degree conferred: Master of Science in Sustainable International Agriculture (internationally recognised; PhD-eligible)
• Three specialisation profiles: International Agribusiness & Rural Development Economics; International Organic Agriculture; Tropical Agricultural and Agroecosystems Sciences
• Practical resources: research greenhouse, 340 ha research farm, laboratories, IT facilities
• Fieldwork: participation in long-term faculty research projects; biannual two-week tropical-country excursion (for the tropical profile)

This MSc programme is designed to build strong methodological foundations, in-depth subject knowledge in the chosen major, and the capacity to conduct interdisciplinary research. Teaching places particular emphasis on improving oral and written communication and presentation skills so graduates can convey complex ideas to academic, policy and practitioner audiences. The programme attracts internationally minded, highly qualified students aiming for careers in international agricultural and rural development across government agencies, research institutions, NGOs, agribusiness and the private sector.

Students receive close research mentoring: each candidate is supported by two teaching staff members who guide the design, implementation, analysis and write-up of the research project. The final six months are reserved for field research and data collection in Germany or abroad, followed by data analysis, thesis writing (normally in English; other EU official languages possible by arrangement) and an oral thesis defence (colloquium). Core learning outcomes include applied quantitative and qualitative research skills, competence in sector-specific technical knowledge (soil/plant science, animal husbandry, organic systems or market/economic analysis), and the ability to design policy- and practice-relevant interventions for sustainable agriculture.

Three specialisations allow students to tailor their study plan to career goals:

• International Agribusiness and Rural Development Economics — emphasises market systems, trade and econometric skills.
• International Organic Agriculture — focuses on temperate and (sub-)tropical organic cropping and livestock systems, with a bridging soil & plant science module where required.
• Tropical Agricultural and Agroecosystems Sciences — targets production and management of tropical animal and crop systems, with an initial bridging soil & plant science module where required.

Requirements and key modules (concise)

• General

  • Close supervision by two staff members for the research project.
  • Final six months: field research/data acquisition (Germany or abroad), data analysis and thesis completion.
  • Thesis normally in English; other EU official languages possible by arrangement. Thesis must be defended in a colloquium.

• Specialisation: International Agribusiness and Rural Development Economics

  • Four compulsory modules (24 ECTS): Sustainable International Agriculture; World Agricultural Markets and Trade; Econometrics I; Socioeconomics of Rural Development and Food Security.
  • Five compulsory elective modules (30 ECTS) — choose from the programme list; at least one must be a methodological module.
  • Six elective modules (36 ECTS) — may include compulsory elective modules not previously taken.

• Specialisation: International Organic Agriculture

  • One bridging module + four compulsory modules (total 30 ECTS): Soil and Plant Science (bridging); Sustainable International Agriculture; Organic Livestock Farming under Temperate Conditions; Organic Cropping Systems under Temperate and (Sub-)Tropical Conditions; Applied Statistical Modelling.
  • Four compulsory elective modules (24 ECTS) — at least one methodological module required.
  • Six elective modules (36 ECTS) — may include compulsory elective modules not previously taken.

• Specialisation: Tropical Agricultural and Agroecosystems Sciences

  • One bridging module + four compulsory modules (total 30 ECTS): Soil and Plant Science (bridging); Sustainable International Agriculture; Tropical Animal Husbandry Systems; Management of Tropical Production Systems; Applied Statistical Modelling.
  • Four compulsory elective modules (24 ECTS) — at least one methodological module required.
  • Six elective modules (36 ECTS) — may include compulsory elective modules not previously taken.

These requirements ensure a balance between disciplinary depth, methodological competence and applied, field-based research experience — equipping graduates to design, implement and evaluate sustainable agricultural solutions in diverse socioeconomic and agroecological contexts.

Graduates are prepared for careers in research, national and regional government agencies, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, agribusiness firms and other private-sector institutions working on agricultural development, rural policy, food systems and sustainability. The programme’s quantitative and interdisciplinary training also positions alumni for roles in policy analysis, project management, consultancy and advisory services.

Because the degree is internationally recognised and research-focused, many graduates also pursue doctoral studies (PhD) or research careers in universities and international research institutes.