AgriFood Economics, Policy and Regulation

The agricultural sector is increasingly facing complex challenges. The sustainable production of high-quality food must be harmonized with economic interests and questions of food security for a growing world population. In this context, society has the growing expectation to appropriately consider all of the sustainability pillars, which is reflected in public discussions, for example on the decline in biodiversity. New technologies provide important momentum for technological progress and catalysts for overcoming the challenges, but these are often viewed critically by society, such as seen in recent discussions on genetic engineering. In addition, the agricultural sector is increasingly operating in international structures. This applies both at the level of markets (international interdependencies in the private sector) and at the level of politics (e.g. through a common agricultural policy). Finally, all this is happening against the backdrop of a changing climate, which further exacerbates the scarcity of natural resources and makes sustainable production more necessary than ever.

These are all reasons for the emergence of conflicting goals and new social challenges. To resolve these conflicts, well-trained sector experts are needed who have the necessary skills to constructively contribute to possible solutions with great competence. The aim of the M.Sc. AgriFood Economics, Policy and Regulation is to train such experts. With profound systems knowledge, which combines competencies on the technological and ecological level with social science knowledge, graduates recognize and understand the challenges and know which policy measures and incentives can be used to contribute to a solution.

By linking economics, politics, technology and ecology, graduates are able to recognize the complex interrelationships agricultural systems. Thanks to the skills acquired during their studies, they are able to identify which policy measures are suitable for steering agricultural markets and what effects and side effects these instruments can have. Due to the international nature of the program, students acquire communication skills and intercultural competencies, which are essential for their later work in this field. Graduates are also trained in scientific work and methods, which will enable them to evaluate the latest scientific findings.

Career opportunities span a wide range from the public to the private sector, both nationally and internationally. Possible fields of work are, for example, in international organisations such as FAO or World Bank, ministries or affiliated authorities at EU, national or international level, in private companies in the agricultural and food industry (e.g. corporate social responsibility tasks), consulting, associations or NGOs. Graduates can also follow a scientific career.

In the first semester, students take four compulsory subjects, which form the basis in the fields of economics, political science, ecology and technology. In addition, another compulsory module trains students in quantitative and qualitative methods of social science research. In the second and third semesters, students complete an interdisciplinary research project. In addition, students have a wide range of elective modules from the fields of economics, politics, technology and ecology or climate sciences. Furthermore, the second and third semesters are designed flexibly to allow students to use them as a mobility window for stays abroad, for example in the form of Erasmus. The fourth semester concludes the program with the Master's thesis.

In detail:

• Overview degree program structure (PDF 136 KB)
• Module catalog: Description of program content (PDF 489 KB)

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient English 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 English 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 English.

• Information on exams
• Information on studying abroad

The tuition fees for international students from third countries for this degree program are 4,000 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.

Minimum requirements to apply for a Master's program at TUM are a recognized undergraduate degree (e.g. a bachelor’s) and the successful completion of the aptitude assessment procedure. Aptitude assessment allows the TUM school or department to which you are applying the opportunity to evaluate your individual talents and motivation for study.

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 a qualification for postgraduate studies (e.g. a bachelor’s) obtained outside of the EU / EEA must have their documents reviewed in advance through uni-assist.

In detail:

• Applying for a master’s program: Application, admission requirements and more
• Important information about your application from the TUM school or department

• Degree Certificate and Diploma or Subject and Grade Transcript of Studies to Date
• Transcript of Records
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Passport
• Letter of Motivation (optional)
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) if the qualification for graduate studies (e.g. a bachelor's) is obtained outside the EU/EEA

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. 

• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Degree Certificate and Diploma (certified copy)
• Transcript of Records (certified copy)
• Most Current Photo (as for ID)
• Digital notification of your health insurance status from a German public health insurance provider (requested by applicant)

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.

The prerequisite for the application is that you hold a qualified bachelor's degree of at least six semesters or an equivalent degree in agricultural and horticultural sciences, political science, economics and business administration or a comparable course of study, which you have acquired at a German or foreign university.

Important: The bachelor's degree must already be available at the time of application and must be submitted until the end of the application deadline at the latest (31 May). Your application will not be valid without proof of successful completion of studies (i.e. submission of a final transcript of records with degree date stated, or, if this is not yet available: submission of a certificate of completion of studies together with preliminary transcript).

Application period for winter semester 2024/25: 01.02.2024 – 31.05.2024

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.

Selection takes place through an aptitude assessment procedure. Aptitude assessment is a two-part procedure after the submission of an official application to a program. In this procedure, the TUM school or department determines whether you meet the specific requirements for its master’s degree program.

In the initial stages, the grades you obtained during your bachelor's program, as well as your written documents, will be evaluated using a point system. Depending on the amount of points accumulated, applicants are either immediately admitted, rejected or invited to an admissions interview.

In detail:

• Aptitude Assessment for Master
• Description of the Aptitude Assessment (Appendix 2, German) (PDF 2 MB)