Agrosystem Sciences

Agriculture is a pillar of modern civilization, an important cultural asset and a key economic driver. At the TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, we believe that solid academic training and research in this field are necessary to provide for the lasting future of human kind.

The master’s program Agrosystem Sciences deals with agricultural production systems (e.g. plant and livestock production) as well as with interactions between soils, crops, livestock, the environment and society. As such, the program prepares graduates to solve the challenges of the future, in particular, those in the areas of food production, renewable resources, the environment and climate.

The master’s program Agrosystem Sciences qualifies agricultural scientists who understand scientific, societal and global challenges on the path to sustainable agriculture.

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

• Degree program documentation for the master's program in Agrosystem Sciences (PDF, German)

Graduates possess knowledge of the biological, socioeconomic, and technological aspects of Agrosystem Sciences, including their interactions. They are also familiar with the sustainable use of natural production factors necessary for the production of food and biogenic resources. The program’s flexibility allows graduates to develop highly individual and interdisciplinary expertise in the field of Agrosystem Sciences.

Depending on their choice of electives and research projects, graduates acquire discipline-specific knowledge in the breeding and biotechnological development of cultivated plants, the primary production of foods from animal sources, the biological, ecological, and technical analysis and management of agricultural ecosystems, as well as the integration of innovations in the agricultural sciences.

Initial research experience enables graduates to apply interdisciplinary methods that embrace biology, the interface between the natural sciences and technology, and socioeconomic fields. Graduates are conscious of their social responsibility and take into consideration how their actions relate to resource efficiency, environmental protection, animal welfare, and food security.

There are diverse career opportunities for graduates of Agrosystem Sciences:

1. Research (e.g. university, departmental research in companies)
2. Management tasks/leadership roles in agricultural industries and agribusiness (e.g., plant and animal breeding, consulting of agricultural and agribusiness firms, financial services, marketing)
3. Management tasks/leadership roles in agricultural administration/in ministries
4. Environmental management/sustainability management
5. International organizations

The degree program comprises required modules (45 CP), elective modules (45 CP), and a master’s thesis (30 CP). The program provides students a wide range of choices in designing their individual profile of studies.

The 7 required modules convey fundamental knowledge in modern agricultural production systems, such as nutrient cycles in agricultural production systems and agroecosystems, agricultural economics as well as methodological competencies in statistical methods and geo-information systems. The required modules “Project: Agricultural Systems” and an individually chosen “Research Project” form the core of the program, while elective modules allow students to develop their individual strengths and interests. Students choos from a variety of courses related to several areas of Agrosystem Sciences, such as systems of plant production, livestock production, agro-ecosystems, agricultural economics and interdisciplinary subjects. Students have the option to spend a semester abroad during the 2nd or 3rd semester. The degree program concludes with a master’s thesis.

• Overview Degree Program Structure (PDF 133 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 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. The aptitude assessment allows the TUM school to which you are applying 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

• Degree Certificate and Diploma or Subject and Grade Transcript of Studies to Date
• Letter of Motivation
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Passport
• Proof of German Language Proficiency
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) by uni-assist - for international applicants only

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)
• 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.

Application period for winter semester: 01.04. – 31.05.

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 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 344 KB)