Sustainable International Agriculture (SIA), MSc

Overview

This two-year, English-taught Master of Science is a joint degree run by the agricultural faculties of the Universities of Göttingen and Kassel-Witzenhausen. The programme is internationally oriented, awards an internationally recognised MSc in Sustainable International Agriculture, and prepares graduates to continue to doctoral studies. Its curriculum is designed to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to address sustainability challenges across agricultural systems worldwide.

Specialisations

• International Agribusiness and Rural Development Economics: Focuses on socio-economic relationships among people, resources and markets in agriculture. You learn modern quantitative and qualitative methods to analyse issues at global (e.g., world trade, food security), national and supply-chain (e.g., food quality and safety), and household/production levels (e.g., farm efficiency, poverty and participation). Graduates are prepared for careers in research, business, government and international organisations.
• International Organic Agriculture: Offers an opportunity to specialise fully in organic agriculture, covering soil, crop and animal sciences alongside environmental, social and economic perspectives. Training includes critical review of literature, statistical analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, laboratory and field methods, and interpretation and presentation of research. Practical infrastructure—such as a research greenhouse, a 340-hectare research farm, laboratories and IT facilities—supports student projects. The profile aims to develop future leaders in science, policy and development for resource-efficient, sustainable agriculture.
• Tropical Agricultural and Agroecosystems Sciences: Trains professionals for sustainable land use in tropical and subtropical agroecosystems. A broad set of modules across soil, plant, animal and socio-economic sciences, together with method-focused classes, build skills to analyse and adapt farming systems to challenges like population growth, globalisation and climate change. The profile includes hands-on experience through ongoing long-term field research projects and a two-week excursion to a tropical country during the programme.

Key facts (at a glance)

• Duration: 2 years (MSc)
• Language of instruction: English
• Joint programme: Universities of Göttingen and Kassel-Witzenhausen
• Award: Master of Science in Sustainable International Agriculture (internationally recognised; qualifies for PhD)
• Three specialisations: Agribusiness & Rural Development Economics; International Organic Agriculture; Tropical Agricultural & Agroecosystems Sciences
• Practical resources: research greenhouse, 340 ha research farm, laboratories, IT support
• Field experience: participation in long-term field research and a two-week tropical-country excursion

Admission details and specific entry requirements vary—please consult the programme’s official webpage or admissions office for up-to-date application criteria, language proof and documentation needed.

This MSc curriculum develops applied methodological skills, advanced subject knowledge and the ability to carry out interdisciplinary research in international agricultural and rural development. Teaching emphasizes core methods (e.g., econometrics and statistical modelling), specialist topics (soil & plant science, livestock and cropping systems, tropical production, markets and trade), and the improvement of oral and written communication and presentation skills. Each student is guided by two academic supervisors through the design, implementation, analysis and write-up of their research project, preparing graduates for roles in government, research institutes, NGOs, agribusiness and the private sector worldwide.

The programme is organised around three specialisations. All pathways combine compulsory core courses, compulsory elective modules (including at least one methodological course), additional electives, and a six‑month research phase. The final semester(s) are dedicated to field research and data collection in Germany or abroad, followed by analysis and the preparation of a Master’s thesis (submitted in English or, by arrangement, in another official EU language) and an oral defence (colloquium). Key learning outcomes include: quantitative and qualitative research competence, specialist technical knowledge in the chosen track, interdisciplinary problem-solving and professional communication skills.

Requirements and key modules

• General programme structure

  • Two academic supervisors assigned for the research project (design, implementation, analysis, writing).
  • Final six months: field research and data acquisition (in Germany or abroad), data analysis, thesis writing and oral defence.
  • Thesis language: English by default; other official EU languages possible by arrangement.

• Specialisation — International Agribusiness and Rural Development Economics

  • Compulsory modules (24 ECTS, four courses): Sustainable International Agriculture; World Agricultural Markets and Trade; Econometrics I; Socioeconomics of Rural Development and Food Security.
  • Compulsory elective modules: choose five modules totalling 30 ECTS (must include at least one methodological module).
  • Electives: choose six modules totalling 36 ECTS. Elective choices may include any compulsory elective modules you have not taken.

• Specialisation — International Organic Agriculture

  • Bridging and compulsory modules (30 ECTS): Soil and Plant Science (bridging module); Sustainable International Agriculture; Organic Livestock Farming under Temperate Conditions; Organic Cropping Systems under Temperate and (Sub)Tropical Conditions; Applied Statistical Modelling.
  • Compulsory elective modules: choose four modules totalling 24 ECTS (must include at least one methodological module).
  • Electives: choose six modules totalling 36 ECTS. Elective choices may include any compulsory elective modules you have not taken.

• Specialisation — Tropical Agricultural and Agroecosystems Sciences

  • Bridging and compulsory modules (30 ECTS): Soil and Plant Science (bridging module); Sustainable International Agriculture; Tropical Animal Husbandry Systems; Management of Tropical Production Systems; Applied Statistical Modelling.
  • Compulsory elective modules: choose four modules totalling 24 ECTS (must include at least one methodological module).
  • Electives: choose six modules totalling 36 ECTS. Elective choices may include any compulsory elective modules you have not taken.

These components ensure you gain core theoretical foundations, applied methodological expertise (e.g., econometrics, statistical modelling), and hands‑on research experience relevant for careers in international agriculture and rural development.

Graduates are prepared for careers in research, policy and practice related to international agricultural and rural development. Typical employers include research institutions and universities, governmental agencies and regional administrations, international organisations and NGOs, and agribusiness or other private‑sector firms engaged in agri‑food systems.

The programme’s combination of methodological training, applied field experience and interdisciplinary perspectives also positions graduates well for PhD study and roles that require analytical skills in economics, agroecology, farm systems analysis or organic production and certification.