Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences

The interdisciplinary Bachelor’s program in Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences is devoted to processes of plant and animal production, and associated fundamentals relating to the natural sciences, economics, and ecology. These play a role in both agrarian and horticultural value-added chains. Of central importance here is the production of high-quality food and feed products, ornamental plants, and biogenic raw materials. The purpose is to exploit the substance and energy that these products contain, in the context of a sustainable and multi-functional agricultural and horticultural sector. The preservation of natural resources is also an important factor in this context.

The program offers students content that gives equal coverage to basic knowledge of the natural sciences, engineering, production technology, and economics, as well as of discipline-specific matters. In accordance with their individual interests, students can choose whether to specialize in agricultural sciences or in horticultural sciences. Depending on their choices, the discipline-specific modules incorporate content from

• soil science and site feasibility,
• causal relations in agricultural ecosystems as regards material and energy flows,
• methods of plant cultivation and precision agriculture,
• fundamentals of phytopathology and plant protection,
• modern methods of plant breeding and genetic engineering,
• fundamentals of systems engineering in arable farming, horticulture, livestock farming,
• principles of plant nutrition and agricultural chemistry,
• corporate leadership, production theory, accounting systems,
• as well as marketing and research.

For a comprehensive description of the program, please refer to the degree program documentation:

• Degree program documentation for the Bachelor’s program in Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences (PDF)

As a graduate, you understand systems in the agrarian and horticultural sectors. You are able to handle problems relating to quality production and marketing, whether with regard to food of plant or animal origin, or to non-food products. In addition, you can draw on discipline-specific knowledge as well as interdisciplinary knowledge of methodologies. In the process, you always act responsibly and are also conscious of how climate and environment, but also social and political aspects, determine basic conditions.

In terms of thinking and of working practices, you have a joined-up, analytical approach and you purposefully apply your knowledge of methods. Further, your experience of project modules enables you to translate your knowledge of theory into practice in a system-oriented manner. Deeper knowledge of chemical and biochemical analysis, of molecular genetics and biotechnology, of the analysis of material and energy flows in arable and horticultural ecosystems, as well as of business and market analysis, also serves as a foundation. Depending on your choice of specialization, you have at your disposal additional specialist knowledge of the area of agricultural sciences or horticultural sciences.

This Bachelor’s degree provides you with various career options: Students have chosen jobs as diverse as agricultural consulting, research in for example phytopathology or plantbreeding and economics, just to name a few. Nevertheless, TUM strongly encourages its students to continue education at graduate level – therefore every successful student is offered consecutive graduate studies. Possible Master’s programs are offered in Agricultural Biosciences, Agrosystem Sciences, and AgriFood Economics, Policy and Regulation. Since you will have completed the common basic curriculum in Weihenstephan, you may even opt to apply for graduate education in different disciplines, for example Biology or Consumer Economics.

• In the first two semesters, the basics of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and economics are taught, supplemented by subject-specific compulsory modules from the fields of plant, animal and environmental sciences and technology, as well as practical training.
• From the third semester onwards, modules such as Agroecosystems, Plant Production Systems and Horticultural Physiology of Production convey the systemic nature of the subject. In the block course Agricultural Production Systems, the knowledge acquired in the various disciplines is applied on a project basis.
• From the fourth semester onwards, the wide range of elective modules allows students to develop their individual profile.
• In the sixth semester, a scientific question is dealt with in the Bachelor’s thesis.

• Overview Degree Program Structure (PDF 101 KB)
• Module Catalog: Description of Program Content

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient German language skills if you wish to apply for this program. Evidence of your language proficiency has to be submitted before the end of the application deadline. Learn more about recognized certificates and other ways to prove your German language skills.

This evidence of your language proficiency confirms that you comply with the minimum language requirements for admission to the program. Depending on the program and your individual background, it may be necessary for you to keep working on your language skills during your studies. Be sure to take a look at the services of our Language Center.   

Language of instruction:

The language of instruction for this program is German.

• Information on exams
• Information on studying abroad
• Information on internships

The tuition fees for international students from third countries for this degree program are 2,000 euros per semester.

Many international students can have their fees waived or receive scholarships to finance them. You can find all information on waivers and scholarships here.

Please note: The semester fee as a contribution to the student union must be paid additionally. It varies depending on where you are studying. You can find all information on the semester fee here.

Admission requirements and the application procedure vary depending on the type of higher education entrance qualification you hold.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents.

If you receive an offer of admission, you will additionally have to submit individual documents as notarized hardcopies by post to be enrolled.

Generally, applicants with an international higher education entrance qualification must have their documents reviewed in advance through uni-assist.

In detail:

• What are the steps of the application process?
• What admissions requirements do I need to fulfill?
• Important information about your application from the TUM school

• Higher Education Entrance Qualification
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Passport
• Proof of German Language Proficiency
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) by uni-assist - for international applicants only
• if applicable: Proof of Internships or Professional Experience (optional)

We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your country of origin. Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents. 

• Most Current Photo (as for ID)
• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Digital notification of your health insurance status from a German public health insurance provider (requested by applicant)
• Higher Education Entrance Qualification (certified copy)

We may require additional documents depending on the type of educational background you earned and your country of origin. After accepting an offer of admission in TUMonline, you will receive a list of documents you must submit to TUM in hardcopy for enrollment.

Application period for the winter semester: 15.05. – 15.09.

For information on applying for a higher semester, please contact the Departmental Student Advising.

An application for the summer semester is only possible for higher subject semesters. Application deadline: 15.01.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents. Please be aware that we can only process your application if you upload all required documents within the application period.

We will review your application as soon as it is complete. Please check your TUMonline account regularly, to see if we have any queries to your documents or if you have to amend one or more documents.

After receiving admission, you will see in TUMonline which documents you have to submit for enrollment, and in which form. Please note that you always have to send the signed application for enrollment and all notarized hardcopies by post.

We recommend that you submit the documents for enrollment as soon as possible after receiving admission. If individual documents are not available by then, you can submit them up to 5 weeks after the start of the lecture period. You will, however, only be enrolled once we have received all documents.

You can check the status of your application at any time in your TUMonline account.

In detail:

• Unrestricted Admission