It comprises four study tracks, allowing you to focus on a specialisation according to your interests and previous studies: plant production sciences, animal science, agrotechnology or environmental soil science.
With a scope of 120 credits (ECTS), the Master’s programme can be completed in two academic years. The degree comprises:
The advanced studies consist of joint courses, 45 credits + 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.
The study tracks of the Master’s Programme in Agricultural Sciences 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.
You must also complete a personal study plan (PSP). Your studies can also include career orientation and career planning.
Various teaching methods are used in the programme, including lectures, practical exercises, practical laboratory and field courses, practical training, seminars, project work and independent study.
You can find below the degree structure 2023-2026 of the Agricultural Sciences (AGRI) as a simplified figure. Under the figure, you can download the AGRI degree structure 2023-2026 and a two-years' AGRI model study schedule 2024-2025 and (tentative) 2025-2026 as a detailed pdf.
The Master’s Programme in Agricultural Sciences comprises four study tracks:
Plant Production Sciences – plants as sources of food, feed, energy, beauty and wellbeing
During your studies, you will have the opportunity to apply biology to the breeding, cultivation, protection and production ecology of crop or horticultural plants. Producing sufficient food is one of the great challenges facing humanity. Plant production sciences have an important mission in finding solutions to this challenge. Plants are cultivated not only for food and feed, but also for bioenergy, green landscapes and ornamental purposes; plant production sciences seek new, improved solutions for all these purposes.
Animal Science – animal health and wellbeing
During your studies, you will become familiar with issues pertaining to the wellbeing, nutrition and breeding of production and hobby animals as well as with the relevant biotechnology. In this study track, you will apply biochemistry, animal physiology, genetics and molecular biology for the benefit of sustainable animal production. The Viikki Research Farm, in urban Helsinki, provides plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning!
Agrotechnology – technology with consideration for the environment
This study track provides you with the opportunity to study technologies that are key to agricultural production and the environment, from the basics to the latest innovations. Advances in technology and automation offer new horizons to fearless inventors interested in developing machinery and engineering for the reorganisation, implementation and adjustment of production in accordance with the needs of plants and animals.
Environmental Soil Science – dig below the surface
These studies allow you to literally dig beneath the surface. The soil is a central factor for the production of renewable natural resources, the diversity of nature, and the quality of water systems. As an expert in environmental soil science, you will know how the soil serves as a substrate for plants and affects the quality of food, and how it can be improved.
You select your study track when applying. More information about the modules (15 or 30 credits) and courses of the four study tracks of the programme.
The Master’s Programme in Agricultural Sciences comprises four study tracks, allowing you to focus on a specialisation according to your interests and previous studies: Plant Production Sciences (quota of 30 students), Animal Science (quota of 25 students), Agrotechnology (quota of 12 students) and Environmental Soil Science (quota of 5 students).
You can become a student in the Master’s Programme in Agricultural Sciences either a) through an option right from the relevant UH Bachelor's programmes (Agricultural Sciences, Biology, Envionmental Sciences and Molecular Biosciences) or b) through a separate international admission process from other UH Bachelor’s programmes than those listed above as well as from other Finnish or International universities all over the world. A total of 80 students will be admitted through these two channels per year.
For the students continuing through an option right to the Master’s programme, the studies during the BSc degree influence the determination of the study track within a Master’s programme. Students applying through a separate admission process to the Master’s programme select the study track in the application form.
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.