Bioeconomy University of Hohenheim

Courses are held in English only.

The Master's programme in Bioeconomy offers a comprehensive education for professionals who aim to work in those sectors of the economy that use biological resources and biotechnological processes to produce bio-based goods and services.
Students examine the entire value chain of bio-based products:

• the production of raw material for bio-based products in agricultural ecosystems in diverse climatic regions
• the properties and supply logistics of biological resources
• the biotechnological and industrial processes used to convert these resources into (new) bio-based products
• the marketing and consumption of such products

Students deal with the environmental, social and economic dimensions of the bioeconomy from a micro- and a macro-level perspective, taking innovation, institutions and policies into account.
As an interdisciplinary programme jointly offered by Hohenheim's three faculties (Agricultural Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Business, Economics and Social Sciences), this degree programme enables students to conduct a systematic analysis of entire bio-based value chains. Consequently, students acquire the skills and expertise necessary to deal with a range of issues in this complex field. One of the strengths of this programme is that graduates are able to understand bio-based value chains from each of the following perspectives:

• companies that focus on new bio-based resources, processes and products
• established producers seeking to introduce renewable resources, biotechnological processes and their corresponding products onto the market
• actors attempting to gauge the need and acceptance of such products
• organisations that support the development of bio-based value chains, e.g. through research and advisory services

15 June for all applicants

Currently, higher education is (almost) free at all public universities in Baden-Württemberg. Since the winter semester 2017/18, universities in Baden-Württemberg charge moderate tuition fees for non-EU international students. These fees amount to 1,500 EUR per semester. Students from the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) as well as exchange students are excluded from these fees. Refugees are also not affected.

For further information on this degree programme, we invite you to attend our Master's info event (online via zoom): https://www.uni-hohenheim.de/en/masters-informational-events.

During the first year of the programme, you will acquire fundamental knowledge of the concept of the bioeconomy as well as the necessary skills that are required in order to deal with all aspects of bio-based value chains, including their interdependencies. To ensure that all students from varying academic backgrounds are able to successfully complete the programme, three introductory modules are offered in the first semester, allowing students to complement their differing academic qualifications. These modules introduce the basic concepts of the agricultural, natural and economic sciences.
Beyond that, you will acquire the knowledge and methods necessary for a systematic analysis of bio-based economies in several compulsory modules. Topics range from the analysis of the properties of bio-based resources from a natural sciences and agricultural sciences perspective to the economic analysis and optimisation of production and processing across the entire bio-based value chain.

The second year of studies gives you the opportunity to design your own curriculum by choosing from a range of elective modules. Students can either study as generalists or specialise in one of the following profiles:

• Bioeconomy Policy Analysis
• Sustainable Biomass Production Systems
• Biomass Processing and Biorefinery
• Sustainability Assessment in the Bioeconomy
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Bioeconomy
• Transforming Food Systems within the Bioeconomy
• Data Science and Artificial Intelligence in the Bioeconomy.

In the module "Projects in Bioeconomic Research", students put their acquired skills into practice in a systematic examination of the entire bio-based value chain and trace a specific product from inception to market launch in cooperation with industry and organisations.

A research-intensive Master's thesis, written in the fourth semester, completes the programme.

The European Bioeconomy University has developed a common qualification supplement, the “EBU label”, that will be granted to Master's students on bioeconomy-relevant study programmes offered at the six EBU partner universities. It aims to upgrade existing disciplinary university curricula at the Master's level by incorporating inter- and transdisciplinarity, cross-sectoral collaboration, and sustainability competences.

Internships are not compulsory but recommended. Appropriate internships must be found by the students themselves, e.g. via BE-Connected. This is an information platform for students, connecting the university, research institutions, and industry to provide students with suitable contacts for research and job opportunities.

1,500 EUR

Currently, higher education is (almost) free at all public universities in Baden-Württemberg. Since the winter semester 2017/18, universities in Baden-Württemberg charge moderate tuition fees for non-EU international students. These fees amount to 1,500 EUR per semester. Students from the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) as well as exchange students are excluded from these fees. Refugees are also not affected.

Universities in Baden-Württemberg require their students to pay a semester contribution towards the administration costs, for student services and for the Student Parliament. Student services provide many benefits, such as discounted tickets for public transportation. The semester contribution amounts to approx. 175 EUR per semester.

Baden-Württemberg has the highest standard of living in Germany. The downside is that living costs are slightly above the German average. However, the cost of living can vary enormously depending on your personal lifestyle and where you live. It is generally more expensive to live in a bigger city like Stuttgart, where the University of Hohenheim is located. As a rule of thumb, 950 EUR to 1,000 EUR per month should be enough. The largest monthly expense is usually for rent – accounting for a third of the total cost of living for most students. These costs can be cut substantially by sharing a flat or living in a dorm. A typical example for monthly expenses could look like this:

• Rent: 350 EUR to 400 EUR
• Health insurance: approx. 85 EUR
• Public transport: approx. 30 EUR to 50 EUR
• Study materials: 100 EUR
• Food and drink: 100 EUR to 150 EUR
• Leisure and hobbies: 50 EUR to 100 EUR

Admission requirements:

• Bachelor's degree with a total of at least 180 ECTS credits or a standard period of study of at least three years or an equivalent academic qualification in the natural sciences, engineering, the agricultural or forestry sciences, or the social and economic sciences
• English language skills (details below)

A seat is guaranteed to all those who meet the entry requirements.

For more information, please visit: https://www.uni-hohenheim.de/en/biecon-apply.

Proof of English language skills (TOEFL iBT 90, IELTS 6.5, or equivalent)

15 June for all applicants

No

Hohenheim offers enrolled students assistant jobs on campus. Students are responsible for managing working hours and these hours should not conflict with their studies. Working off campus is also possible. However, good knowledge of German is often required.

Student residences on campus

At the University of Hohenheim, several student residence halls are located on campus. They are managed by Student Services Tübingen-Hohenheim. There is a high demand for these rooms, which is why usually only a small number of applications will be successful.

International (non-EU) students have a much more difficult time than Germans in finding private accommodation at the start of their studies when they are searching from their home countries. Therefore, the university provides a quota of rooms for international students. This enables almost all new international students to have a room in a residence hall. To be able to offer this special assistance at the start of studies, the rental duration for these rooms is limited to two years for Master's students.

After this period, the house-hunting assistance offers support in finding a room on the private market.

The oldest university in Stuttgart, the University of Hohenheim, is unique in its strong specialisation.

Founded in 1818 after devastating famines, the University of Hohenheim is not only engaged in intensive basic research but has traditionally also been committed to developing innovative solutions for some of society's pressing problems. To do so, the University of Hohenheim engages in a combination of scientific disciplines that is unique among German universities.

Strong in research and exceptionally well-connected

Today, the University of Hohenheim is the leading university in agricultural research and food sciences as well as strong and unparalleled in natural, social, business, economic, and communication sciences. The combination makes it possible to find solutions for many global challenges. This is why the university puts great importance on maintaining an international network with numerous strong partners.

Award-winning range of degree programmes

The degree programmes at the University of Hohenheim are innovative and adventuresome. The “Mobile Teaching” and “Humboldt Reloaded” pilot projects, promoting research-oriented studies, have been given the Ars Legendi Prize for excellence in teaching and other awards.

Specialisation Bioeconomy

Bioeconomy is a joint specialisation of research and teaching in all subjects. This specialisation addresses the economics of the future, with new products and new production processes, involving raw material from plants, animals, or microorganisms.

The green campus of short distances

The "green campus" of the University of Hohenheim is a concept that pertains not only to the content of its innovative programmes but also to the lush green environment on its campus. The green campus, with its short distances all around the Hohenheim Palace, is known as the most beautiful campus in the state. The university members value its personal atmosphere as well as the way that the campus facilitates a close proximity to colleagues.

The University of Hohenheim is located in Stuttgart, the capital of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg. Why is Baden-Württemberg such a popular place to live and work? Probably because it has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the entire country. Where there's a strong economy, there is also a strong education system.

If you ask someone abroad "What is Stuttgart famous for?", the answer is invariably, "Porsche, Mercedes and Bosch!" All these premium global players and many more have production sites in Stuttgart or in the region. As a result, they contribute to Baden-Württemberg's excellent reputation as one of the economic powerhouses of Europe.

Within Germany, Baden-Württemberg is at the forefront of the country's energy policy turnaround. The development and expansion of a sustainable energy economy is a top priority in the south-west.

What should we be famous for?

Many things that make Stuttgart and the region special are not known abroad. Because you will stay here for a semester or two, you should know more about it:

• The Swabians are proud of the Swabian cuisine: Maultaschen (filled pasta), Spätzle (egg noodles) and Schnitzel. You will definitively love the Swabian specialities, including the famous German beer and the wines of Württemberg.
• Stuttgart is also famous for the "Cannstatter Wasen". This is the second biggest beer festival in Germany after Oktoberfest. It attracts more than four million visitors every year. The first Wasen was celebrated in honour of the foundation of the University of Hohenheim 200 years ago!
• Or maybe the region should be famous for the fact that the sun shines more often and for more hours here in the south-west than anywhere else in Germany. Additionally, the low crime rate means that Baden-Württemberg is one of the safest German federal states. As you might expect, it thus tops the scale of life expectancy and quality of life. 
• We are proud of the diversity in our city! People from all over the world are living in Stuttgart. Stuttgart is an example for combining cosmopolitanism and successful integration. No other city in Germany has a higher proportion of international citizens. We are convinced that it is this diversity that makes us strong!