Would you like to be involved in finding solutions to future challenges of food and energy production, such as climate change, population growth and limited energy resources? Are you interested in animal welfare, clean soil, environmental issues or the newest methods in biological and genetic engineering? Would you like to learn about automation and robotics in agriculture?

Join the Master’s Programme in Agricultural Sciences on the Viikki Campus to find solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. The University of Helsinki is the only university in Finland to offer academic education in this field. The programme comprises four study tracks: plant production sciences, animal science, agrotechnology and environmental soil science.

Why Agricultural Sciences?

Upon completing a Master’s degree, you will:

• be an expert in plant production science, animal science, agrotechnology, or environmental soil science.
• be able to assess the sustainability and environmental impact of food and energy production.
• be able to apply biosciences, ecology, chemistry, physics or statistics, depending on your study track, to the future needs of agriculture.
• master the key issues and future development trends of your field.
• master state-of-the-art research and analysis methods and techniques.
• be able to engage in international activities, project work and communication.
• be able to acquire and interpret scientific research information in your field and present it orally and in writing.
• have the qualifications to pursue postgraduate studies in a doctoral programme or a career as an expert or entrepreneur.

Structure and content:

With a scope of 120 credits (ECTS), the Master’s Programme in Agricultural Sciences can be completed in two academic years. The degree comprises:

• 90 credits of advanced studies in the selected study track, including your Master’s thesis (30 credits)
• 30 credits of other studies from the curriculum of your own or other degree programmes

The advanced studies consist of joint courses (45 credits) and study track specific studies (45 credits). By choosing alternative modules inside your selected study track, you will be able to deepen your expertise in particular areas of the selected study track. You must select your study track when applying.

The four study tracks are:

• Plant Production Sciences – plants as sources of food, feed, energy, beauty and wellbeing
• Animal Science – animal health and wellbeing
• Agrotechnology – technology with consideration for the environment
• Environmental Soil Science – dig below the surface

The study tracks collaborate across disciplinary boundaries to construct thematic modules around importance topical issues: the bioeconomy, the recycling of nutrients, food systems, and the production and exploitation of genomic information.

The Master’s Programme in Agricultural Sciences is multilingual: the language of instruction is primarily English, but you can complete your studies in Finnish, Swedish or English.