Sustainable International Agriculture

The programme is aimed at German and international students of agriculture and related disciplines.

Specialisation in "International Agribusiness and Rural Development Economics"
This profile trains students to analyse socio-economic interactions between individuals, resources and markets in agriculture using up-to-date quantitative and qualitative methods. Students acquire the tools they need to contribute to the provision of answers to vital questions ranging from the macro-level (e.g. global hunger, the world trade system) to the meso-level (e.g. the structure and performance of national and international food chains; food safety and quality issues) and the micro-level (e.g. the efficiency of agricultural production, participation and poverty at the household level) in agricultural systems. You are taught by staff from Göttingen and Kassel-Witzenhausen who represent the largest group of internationally recognised and internationally active agricultural economists in Germany.

Specialisation in "International Organic Agriculture"
This profile offers students the unique possibility to focus entirely on Organic Agriculture. It includes the broad range of thematic fields from soil, crop and animal science, but also environmental, social and economic science. You will be asked to: examine and assess the validity of literature from the natural and social sciences, statistics and other documents; use state-of-the art statistical techniques to analyse "hard" and "soft" data; apply laboratory methods, technical procedures and qualitative/quantitative approaches of data collection; interpret and display research data; apply your skills in the context of international and organic agriculture and assessment of agroecosystems. The faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences at Witzenhausen provides a team of professors and lecturers with more than 20 years of experience in this unique field. Practical facilities, i.e. research greenhouse, research farm of 340 ha, various laboratories and adequate IT equipment, support students within their individual study profile.

Specialisation in "Tropical Agricultural and Agroecosystems Sciences"
This profile aims to qualify students to become open-minded, well-trained professionals in sustainable agricultural land use of integrated tropical and subtropical agro-ecosystems. A wide range of modules in soil, plant, animal and socio-economic sciences as well as method-oriented classes confer skills for in-depth analysis, understanding and possible modification of existing farming systems in the wake of a need for a resource-efficient production of agricultural goods that responds to the challenges of population growth, globalisation and climate change in a site-specific way. A bi-annual, two-week excursion to a tropical country (e.g. Oman, Mexico, Kenya, or Thailand), and participation in ongoing, long-term field research projects of different faculty members allow you to test-apply your skills under real conditions while collecting credits. The agricultural faculties of Göttingen and Kassel-Witzenhausen have a long-standing history of research in (sub)tropical countries, and their internationally recognised staff provide you with up-to-date teaching and mentoring as well as scientific guidance.

Educational organisation

The two-year MSc programme Sustainable International Agriculture (SIA) is a joint study programme of the agricultural faculties of Georg August University Göttingen and the University of Kassel-Witzenhausen. The programme is aimed at German and international students of agriculture and related disciplines. The programme leads to a Master of Science in Sustainable International Agriculture. The degree is accepted internationally and qualifies students to progress to a PhD.
The study programme is internationally-oriented and offers three possibilities for specialisation (profiles): International Agribusiness and Rural Development Economics, International Organic Agriculture, and Tropical Agricultural and Agroecosystems Sciences. After individual counselling with an academic adviser, students select one field of specialisation and develop their study plan for the first eighteen months of studies.
Teaching focuses on basic methodology, specialised knowledge in the major subjects, capability for interdisciplinary research, and improvement of oral and written communication and presentation skills. Each student will be supported by two members of the teaching staff in the design, implementation, analysis and writing up of the research project. The MSc programme targets highly-qualified, internationally-oriented students of all nationalities who wish to pursue a career in the field of international agricultural and rural development in state, research and non-governmental institutions, agribusiness firms and other private sector institutions.

Specialisation in "International Agribusiness and Rural Development Economics"
Four compulsory modules must be taken (24 ECTS): Sustainable International Agriculture, World Agricultural Markets and Trade, Econometrics I, Socioeconomics of Rural Development and Food Security. Five mandatory modules (30 ECTS) must be chosen (among these, at least one methodological module). Six elective modules (36 ECTS) are to be chosen (elective modules can also be chosen from the list of mandatory modules not attended so far).

Specialisation in "International Organic Agriculture"
One bridging module and four compulsory modules must be taken (upon application, the bridging module can be skipped if past academic achievements testify to respective knowledge): Soil and Plant Science (bridging module), Sustainable International Agriculture, Organic Livestock Farming under Temperate and Tropical Conditions, Organic Cropping Systems under Temperate and (Sub)Tropical Conditions, Applied Statistical Modelling (30 ECTS). Four mandatory modules (24 ECTS) must be chosen (among these, at least one methodological module). Six elective modules (36 ECTS) are to be chosen (elective modules can also be chosen from the list of mandatory modules not attended so far).

Specialisation in "Tropical Agricultural and Agroecosystems Sciences"
One bridging module and four compulsory modules must be taken (upon application, the bridging module can be skipped if past academic achievements testify to respective knowledge): Soil and Plant Science (bridging module), Sustainable International Agriculture, Tropical Animal Husbandry Systems, Crops and Production Systems in the Tropics, Applied Statistical Modelling (30 ECTS). Four mandatory modules (24 ECTS) must be chosen (among these, at least one methodological module). Six elective modules (36 ECTS) are to be chosen (elective modules can also be chosen from the list of mandatory modules not attended so far).

The last six months consist of field research and data acquisition in Germany or abroad followed by data analysis and evaluation and the completion of a Master's thesis (in English, by arrangement in other official languages of the EU). Once the thesis has been completed, it must be defended in a colloquium.

Study abroad unit(s)

There is no compulsory study abroad period, but students can arrange a semester abroad.
Students of the profile "International Agribusiness and Rural Development Economics" may choose to take part in an exchange programme with our partner university in Chile.
Most students choose to do the research for their Master's thesis abroad in one of several research projects members of both faculties worldwide.

Forms of assessment

The Master's programme consists of 15 modules with six ECTS each; a Master's thesis in the sixth semester with 24 ECTS; a colloquium with six ECTS. There are exams (oral, written or seminar presentation with submission of a report) at the end of each module. One module lasts one semester.

Course objectives

The SIA study programme will contribute to the sustainable production of agricultural commodities and food security at specific locations and in an international context. SIA students will be enabled to:

• understand the ecological interactions of natural and agrarian systems in a global context
• acquire up-to-date knowledge in natural and socioeconomic sciences
• obtain social and methodical skills
• apply the acquired knowledge and skills in an international context concerning (organic) agriculture
• participate in the worldwide development of resource-efficient agricultural production

Language requirements

Applicants are obliged to prove their command of English skills on level B2 (internet-based TOEFL of at least 80 points or equivalent language certificate).

Academic requirements

Successful applicants must have received an above-average (minimum is second-class upper division) or, preferably, a good grade in their undergraduate degree (BSc) of at least six semesters in agricultural sciences or a related study field. Alternatively, an academic profile from past study achievements, which proves equivalent knowledge and skills, can allow admission. Only APS-proven (http://www.aps.org.cn/web/studium-in-deutschland) Chinese academic transcript and degree certificates are accepted for application.
Please see admission regulations at http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/100810.html.
Prior to filling in the application form, each applicant must register online at http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/122864.html.

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Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Enrolment fees

Mandatory registration fees allow students to use public transport free of charge and the university's refectories and cafeterias at reduced prices. For example, the registration fee for the summer semester of 2016 amounted to approx. 275 EUR.

Costs of living

In order to cover personal expenses while studying in Kassel, it is recommended that students budget around 750-900 EUR per month for accommodation, food, health insurance, books, and miscellaneous expenses.

Job opportunities

Students can apply for various part-time jobs or work as student assistants on campus. Please have a look at http://www.uni-kassel.de. Some departments also provide positions as tutors or student assistants. However, with only basic knowledge of German (or none), job opportunities are limited.

Arrival support

An orientation week is regularly offered to international students. During information sessions, tours, excursions, events, and leisure-time activities, international students get to know their departments, courses, the campus, and life in Kassel or Witzenhausen and become acquainted with their lecturers and fellow students. Students get the chance to make new friends during the campus rally or at the get-together brunch. Senior student tutors will assist foreign students with any questions or problems they may encounter during their stay.

Services and support for international students

Orientation week at the main site in Kassel: owoche@uni-kassel.de
Support service at the campus site in Witzenhausen: tutor-int@uni-kassel.de
Contact for exchange students: sabineernst@uni-kassel.de
Welcome Centre: http://www.uni-kassel.de/go/welcome-centre

Accommodation

International students enrolled at the University of Kassel can choose between staying at a student residence hall (Wohnheim) or private accommodation. There are about 1,000 rooms available in student residence halls in Kassel and Witzenhausen, administered by Studentenwerk Kassel. Please have a look at http://www.studentenwerk-kassel.de. Rent for a room varies from 200-320 EUR per month depending on the location and facilities. Students can choose between a single apartment with en-suite facilities or a room in a flat shared with fellow students. Finding private accommodation in Kassel is usually not difficult. Both furnished and unfurnished accommodation is available. Vacancies are posted in the local press and on the Internet.