In the Master’s Programme in Agricultural Sciences (AGRI), you can pursue studies in plant production sciences, animal science, agrotechnology, or environmental soil science, depending on your interests and previous studies. The University of Helsinki is the only university in Finland to offer academic education in this field.
Upon completing a Master’s degree, you will:
With a scope of 120 credits (ECTS), the Master’s Programme in Agricultural Sciences can be completed in two academic years. The degree comprises:
The advanced studies consist of joint courses (45 credits) and study track specific studies (45 credits). By choosing alternative modules inside your selected study track, you will be able to deepen your expertise in particular areas of the selected study track. You must select your study track when applying.
The four study tracks are:
The study tracks collaborate across disciplinary boundaries to construct thematic modules around importance topical issues: the bioeconomy, the recycling of nutrients, food systems, and the production and exploitation of genomic information.
Read more about the structure, content and study tracks of the programme.
The Master’s Programme in Agricultural Sciences is multilingual: the language of instruction is primarily English, but you can complete your studies in Finnish, Swedish or English.
Various teaching methods are used in the AGRI programme, including lectures, practical exercises, practical laboratory and field courses, practical training, seminars, project work and independent study. You must also complete a personal study plan (PSP) and your studies can include career orientation and planning.
The advanced studies consist of joint courses and study track specific studies. By choosing alternative modules inside your selected study track, you will be able to deepen your expertise in particular areas of the selected study track.
Read more about AGRI courses and study modules.
Search the AGRI course descriptions in Sisu by code or name.
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Search the AGRI courses also in the Courses page.
The University of Helsinki also offers Finnish courses for international students.
The Master's degree culminates in a Master's thesis of approximately 50 pages on a topic related to your study track. Completing the Master's thesis demonstrates your ability to prepare a written scientific presentation in your native language or English, to use source materials critically, and to present your thesis orally and answer questions about it.
The Master's thesis contains an experimental section, which can either be an analysis of existing research material or an independent research project completed in a laboratory, greenhouse or experimental field, after which you report the results in a scientific thesis. To support the writing and oral presentation of your thesis, you will be offered academic writing courses each year.
The Master's thesis is typically completed within research projects of the department or campus, or as an assignment commissioned by a research institute or company in the field. Upon completion of your thesis, these partners could be potential employers.
International activities take many forms. You can choose from several options:
You can go on a student exchange to one of the Faculty’s or University’s partner institutions abroad. Numerous exchange options and programmes are offered both in Europe and farther afield. Further information about student exchange.
You can complete a traineeship abroad or in Finland in an international research group.
You can select English-language courses offered at the University of Helsinki (Master’s level studies and instruction are in any case primarily available in English).
You could serve as a tutor for international students. Further information about becoming a tutor.
You can become involved in the international activities of subject organisations or the University’s Student Union.
You can also improve your language skills and cultural knowledge by participating in the language courses of the University of Helsinki Language Centre.
Exchanges and traineeships abroad are popular because they provide you with new perspectives, skills and contacts, which may prove useful in your studies and in your future career or postgraduate education.
Agricultural sciences have a long tradition of hosting international students from many countries. Interacting with these students is a good way to broaden the international dimension of your studies. In addition, student organisations in the discipline organise excursions to destinations outside Finland. The programme uses a number of international textbooks and other teaching materials which provide a connection to the global research community.
The teachers and researchers of the Master’s Programme in Agricultural Sciences engage in active cooperation with companies and organisations in the field. These partners participate in the planning of courses, comment on course contents regarding their topicality and labour market relevance, offer traineeships to students, and commission thesis research from them. They are also potential employers for graduates.
The programme’s teachers and researchers also have good contacts with research institutes outside the University, such as the Natural Resources Institute Finland, the Finnish Food Authority, the Finnish Environment Institute, and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Consequently, you will have good opportunities to find traineeships, summer jobs and thesis commissions outside the Viikki Campus. After you graduate, these partners will be your potential employers.
The Master’s Programme in Agricultural Sciences cooperates closely with the other Master’s programmes in the Faculty as well as with other faculties on the Viikki Campus. Cooperation in teaching and research crosses faculty boundaries, so you can choose from a wide variety of courses outside your own programme. Examples of courses available on the campus include environmental sciences, molecular biosciences, food sciences and business economics.
After completing your Master’s degree, you can pursue doctoral education in Finland or abroad. A doctoral degree can be completed in four years. With a doctoral degree, you can pursue a career in the academic world or enter the job market. For some positions, the qualifications required may be a doctoral rather than a Master’s degree.
Relevant doctoral programmes for students of agricultural sciences at the University of Helsinki include:
More information about doctoral education at the University of Helsinki.
Student life and especially the student organisation culture is exceptionally rich and diverse in Finland. Also at the University of Helsinki, more than 250 student organisations operate within the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY), ranging from faculty and subject organisations to political and societal organisations, and from choirs and orchestras to sports and game clubs. Their activities include anniversary celebrations, academic dinner parties, cultural events, get-togethers and excursions.
As a student and member of the Student Union (HYY), you are entitled to many benefits and services. For example, affordable student housing, low-cost sports services and student-priced meals. You also get numerous discounts, for example on public transport fees across the country.
Read more about student life, services and benefits when studying at the University of Helsinki.
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