Sustainable International Agriculture (SIA), MSc University of Kassel

Georg-August-Universität Göttingen

Courses are held in English (100%).

The two-year MSc programme in Sustainable International Agriculture (SIA) is a joint study programme of the agricultural faculties of the Universities of Göttingen and Kassel-Witzenhausen. The programme leads to a Master of Science in Sustainable International Agriculture degree, which is internationally accepted and qualifies students to progress to a PhD. The study programme is internationally oriented and offers three possibilities for specialisation (profiles):

Specialisation in International Agribusiness and Rural Development Economics

This profile trains students to analyse socio-economic interactions between individuals, resources and markets in agriculture using up-to-date quantitative and qualitative methods. Students acquire the tools they need to contribute to the provision of answers to vital questions ranging from the macro-level (e.g. global hunger, the world trade system) to the meso-level (e.g. the structure and performance of national and international food chains; food safety and quality issues) and the micro-level (e.g. the efficiency of agricultural production, participation and poverty at the household level) in agricultural systems. This prepares students for exciting careers in research, business, national and regional governments and administration, and international organisations.

Specialisation in International Organic Agriculture

This profile offers students the unique possibility to focus entirely on Organic Agriculture. It includes the broad range of thematic fields from soil, crop and animal science, but also environmental, social and economic science. Students will be asked to examine and assess the validity of literature from the natural and social sciences, statistics and other documents; use state-of-the art statistical techniques to analyse "hard" and "soft" data; apply laboratory methods, technical procedures and qualitative/quantitative approaches of data collection; interpret and display research data; apply your skills in the context of international and organic agriculture and assessment of agroecosystems. Practical facilities, i.e. research greenhouse, research farm of 340 ha, various laboratories and adequate IT equipment, support individual study profiles. Our aim is to educate young people who will be leaders in science, policy and development, contributing to a more resource-efficient and sustainable development of agriculture worldwide.

Specialisation in Tropical Agricultural and Agroecosystems Sciences

This profile aims to qualify students to become open-minded, well-trained professionals in sustainable agricultural land use of integrated tropical and subtropical agroecosystems. A wide range of modules in soil, plant, animal and socio-economic sciences as well as method-oriented classes confer skills for in-depth analysis, understanding and possible modification of existing farming systems in the wake of a need for a resource-efficient production of agricultural goods that responds to the challenges of population growth, globalisation and climate change in a site-specific way. A biannual, two-week excursion to a tropical country and participation in ongoing, long-term field research projects of different faculty members allow students to test their skills and apply them under real conditions while collecting credits.

Before lectures start, there will be introduction sessions for new international students, which provide valuable information about the study programme and the organisation within a joint degree programme of two universities.

• Non-EU applicants: 31 January for the following winter semester
• EU applicants: 15 June for the following winter semester

Teaching focuses on basic methodology, specialised knowledge in the major subjects, capability for interdisciplinary research, and improvement of oral and written communication and presentation skills. Each student will be supported by two members of the teaching staff in the design, implementation, analysis, and writing up of the research project. The MSc programme targets highly qualified students of all nationalities with an international outlook who wish to pursue a career in the field of international agricultural and rural development in state, research, and non-governmental institutions, agribusiness firms, and other private sector institutions.

Specialisation in International Agribusiness and Rural Development Economics
Four compulsory modules must be taken (24 ECTS): Sustainable International Agriculture, World Agricultural Markets and Trade, Econometrics I, Socioeconomics of Rural Development and Food Security. Five compulsory electives modules (30 ECTS) must be chosen (among these, at least one methodological module). Six elective modules (36 ECTS) are to be chosen (elective modules can also be chosen from the list of compulsory elective modules not attended so far).

Specialisation in International Organic Agriculture
One bridging module and four compulsory modules must be taken: Soil and Plant Science (bridging module), Sustainable International Agriculture, Organic Livestock Farming under Temperate Conditions, Organic Cropping Systems under Temperate and (Sub)Tropical Conditions, Applied Statistical Modelling (30 ECTS). Four compulsory elective modules (24 ECTS) must be chosen (among these, at least one methodological module). Six elective modules (36 ECTS) are to be chosen (elective modules can also be chosen from the list of compulsory elective modules not attended so far).

Specialisation in Tropical Agricultural and Agroecosystems Sciences
One bridging module and four compulsory modules must be taken: Soil and Plant Science (bridging module), Sustainable International Agriculture, Tropical Animal Husbandry Systems, Management of Tropical Production Systems, Applied Statistical Modelling (30 ECTS). Four compulsory elective course modules (24 ECTS) must be chosen (among these, at least one methodological module). Six elective modules (36 ECTS) are to be chosen (elective modules can also be chosen from the list of compulsory elective modules not yet attended).

The last six months consist of field research and data acquisition in Germany or abroad followed by data analysis and evaluation and the completion of a Master's thesis (in English or by arrangement in other official EU languages). Once the thesis has been completed, it must be defended in a colloquium.

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Study trips

There are no compulsory internships, but voluntary internships in Germany or abroad can be included in the programme.

A study semester abroad (e.g. ERASMUS+) can be integrated as well.

No tuition fees

Enrolment fees are approx. 400 EUR per semester (annual increase). Fees include a prepaid semester ticket, which entitles students to use public transport free of charge as well as to dine at the university's refectories and cafeterias at reduced prices.

https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/40054.html

In order to cover personal expenses while studying in Kassel, it is recommended that students budget around 750 to 1,000 EUR per month for accommodation, food, health insurance, books, and miscellaneous expenses.

Successful applicants must have received an above-average (minimum is second-class upper division) or, preferably, a good grade in their undergraduate degree (BSc) of at least six semesters in agricultural sciences or a related field of study.

For applicants with academic transcripts and degree certificates from China, Mongolia, Vietnam and India, only APS-proven (https://www.aps.org.cn/studium-in-deutschland) academic transcripts and degree certificates will be accepted during the application process. Please see admission regulations at http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/122863.html.

Prior to filling in the application form, each applicant must register online at: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/122864.html.

Applicants whose native language is not English must show adequate English language skills.

https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/598016.html

Adequate English language skills should be proven on the basis of the following minimum performance in an internationally accredited test or comparable qualifications:

• Cambridge English Qualification with at least 160
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with at least band 6
• Internet-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with at least 80
• NULTE Certificate at least B2
• UNIcert level II
• PTE Academic at least 59

The language test certificate should be no more than three years old at the time of application.

Exempted from the requirement to provide proof of language proficiency are students whose first language is English according the the UK government's list of countries for issuing student visas.
IMPORTANT: Confirmation letter on English proficiency due to previous studies in English written by universities' registrar will not be sufficient as proof of adequate English language skills.

• Non-EU applicants: 31 January for the following winter semester
• EU applicants: 15 June for the following winter semester

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Students can apply for various part-time jobs or work as student assistants on campus. Please have a look at www.uni-kassel.de. Some departments also provide positions as tutors or working students.

International students enrolled at the University of Kassel can choose between staying at a student residence hall ("Wohnheim") or private accommodation. There are about 1,000 rooms available in the student residencies around the campus. Please have a look at https://www.studierendenwerk-kassel.de/en/wohnen/. Rent for a room varies between 200 and 350 EUR per month depending on the location and facilities. Students can choose single apartments with en-suite facilities or a shared flat with fellow students. Private furnished or unfurnished accommodation in Kassel is also available and can be found in the local paper, on flyers on campus, or on the Internet (e.g. social media).

The career service of University of Kassel offers individual support to facilitate a successful transition from the academic to the professional world.

https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/en/studium/kontakt-und-beratung/servicestellen/career-service/home

The Welcome Centre at the International Office provides support and information to new students. Additionally, we offer a tutoring and mentoring system on faculty level.

There is a welcome week and introduction sessions at both universities before lectures start for new international students, which provide valuable information about University of Kassel and University of Göttingen and the study programme.