Agrarmanagement (grundständig)

Information offers from the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit): Film on Agricultural Management - Dual Study (Duales Studium). Further information sources: agrarheute, agrarzeitung, Bildungsserver Agrar, FISA - Research Information System for Agriculture and Nutrition, MWonline - Management Knowledge Online, top agrar.

The study program (Studium) takes place at universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen) and vocational academies (Berufsakademien). Learning locations at these institutions include lecture halls, seminar and practice rooms, libraries, laboratories, and computer rooms. Additionally, students work at home, for example, preparing for and reviewing courses, completing assignments, or potentially participating in online courses.

Study type: Undergraduate program (Grundständiges Studium). Study options: Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen), Vocational Academies (Berufsakademien). Degrees: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.), Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.). Standard study duration: 3-4 years. The undergraduate program in Agricultural Management (Agrarmanagement) imparts fundamental scientific and practical knowledge in agricultural management, agricultural marketing, agribusiness, and food management. Agricultural Management can also be studied via distance learning or as a dual study program (duales Studium). Possible undergraduate programs include Agricultural Management, Agribusiness, Food and Agribusiness Management, Agriculture and Food Economy (Food Management), Agriculture/Agricultural Management. Admission requirements: For universities of applied sciences and vocational academies, at least the Fachhochschulreife (university of applied sciences entrance qualification) is required, and potentially passing an internal university selection process. Study content: Students attend lectures, seminars, and practical exercises at the university, for example, in compulsory modules such as Agricultural Chemistry and Agricultural Marketing.

Core competencies acquired during the study program: Agricultural economics, agricultural policy, agricultural law, agricultural sciences, business management, planning of operational resource deployment, business administration, calculation, cost and performance accounting, customer consulting and support, agricultural trade, marketing, sales. Further competencies that may be significant for later professional practice: Arable farming, agricultural biology, agricultural technology, agricultural machinery technology, agroforestry systems, agrophotovoltaics, work preparation, biogas plants, grassland management, warehouse management, logistics, market research, dairy farming and production, organic farming, plant protection, plant breeding, quality management, animal husbandry and production.

Standard study duration: 6-8 semesters. Average actual study duration: 8 semesters. Source: Federal Statistical Office (Statistisches Bundesamt), Statistical Report - Statistics of Examinations at German Higher Education Institutions - Examination Year 2024.

Study costs: Enrollment and administrative fees, as well as semester contributions (e.g., for the student union (Studierendenwerk), student body, semester ticket). Potentially tuition fees (for 'long-term students,' a second degree, or after exhausting a set study credit). Expenses for learning materials and study needs, such as specialized literature, excursions. Contributions for student health insurance (typically when exceeding the age limit of 25 or certain income thresholds). Funding opportunities: German Student Union (Deutsches Studierendenwerk) - Funding Opportunities; Federal Law on Individual Promotion of Education (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz - BAföG).

Dual study programs (Duale Studiengänge) combine a university degree (Studium) with vocational training (Berufsausbildung) or practical phases in a company. In the undergraduate program of Agricultural Management, there are practice-integrating study programs available. Further information and search for dual study programs: AusbildungPlus: Portal for dual study programs and additional qualifications in initial vocational training.

Compulsory modules, for example: Agricultural chemistry, agricultural marketing, agricultural and stability policy, agricultural and environmental law, procurement and sales management in the food industry, agricultural business administration, food sensory analysis, nutrition and consumer psychology, mathematics, statistics and computer science, organic farming, software-supported management of animal and plant production, plant and animal production, economics and microeconomics. Elective modules, for example: Irrigation agriculture, international agricultural trade, sustainability, environmental and energy management. Practical study content: Depending on the university, internships, practical modules, practical semesters (e.g., in companies within the agricultural industry).

One should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements: Courses: Attending lectures and seminars in the university's lecture halls and seminar rooms during the semester; potentially participating in online courses from home. Practical exercises: For example, conducting data analysis exercises with statistical programs in computer rooms. Independent work: Preparing for and reviewing courses, researching in libraries, preparing presentations, completing assignments (even during lecture-free periods). Organization: Independently planning the study program (Studium) within the given structure, adhering to submission deadlines and study periods, and completing study and examination achievements on time (self-discipline and organizational talent required). Career preparation: Potentially completing internships (e.g., in the agricultural and food industry), preparing for career entry.

Students can complete parts of their study program (Studium) abroad, for example: Various countries. International undergraduate program 'Agribusiness'. Universities: Hochschule Rhein-Waal and partner universities, e.g., in the Netherlands or Spain. Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). Further information: Hochschule Rhein-Waal: Agribusiness.

The following undergraduate degree programs can be alternatives for Agricultural Management (undergraduate): Plant Sector: Agricultural Science (undergraduate), Forest Science, -Economics (undergraduate), Viticulture, Oenology (undergraduate). Commonality: Acquiring knowledge in areas such as plant breeding and health, cultivation methods, ecology and botany, business management, and potentially animal husbandry. Animal Sector: Equine Management (undergraduate). Commonality: Acquiring knowledge in areas such as animal husbandry and breeding, animal health, agribusiness, and business management. Management and Business Administration Sector: Business Management, Management (undergraduate), Economics (undergraduate), Business Administration, Business Administration (undergraduate). Commonality: Acquiring knowledge in areas such as business administration, marketing, sales, accounting, and corporate organization.

In-depth knowledge in the following school subjects is a good prerequisite for a successful degree program: Physics, Chemistry, Biology: e.g., to understand physical laws, environmental chemistry, and botany. Economics/Law: e.g., to analyze economic and environmental economic issues. Geography: e.g., to facilitate access to climatology and knowledge about weather conditions.

Additional and key qualifications facilitate a successful career start. The following topics, for example, are relevant: Business administration, communication, project management. Elective and compulsory elective modules such as biotechnology in plant and animal production can also provide additional qualifications. Internships, e.g., in the agricultural and food industry, specifically prepare for professional life. Opportunities to acquire additional and key qualifications can be found at the Career Centers of universities (Hochschulen) (see contact details of the respective university): Universities in Germany - University search of the Hochschulkompass.

The undergraduate degree program in Agricultural Management provides fundamental scientific and practical knowledge in agricultural management, agricultural marketing, agribusiness, and food management. It leads to a first university degree. Agricultural Management can also be studied through distance learning (Fernstudium) or as a dual study program (dualen Studiengang).

Examples: Agricultural Management (Bachelor), Agribusiness (Bachelor), Food and Agribusiness Management (Bachelor), Agriculture and Food Economy (Food Management) (Bachelor), Agriculture/Agricultural Management (Bachelor).

For Bachelor graduates in Agricultural Management, various fields of activity are available in the private sector, such as agricultural economy, animal husbandry, breeding, care, or distribution, sales.

19th century: Establishment of the first degree programs for agriculture. Mid-20th century: Increasing integration of economic content into agricultural sector degree programs, leading to the foundation of Agricultural Economics and the establishment of Agricultural Management degree programs. 1999: Beginning of the Bologna Process. Reform of the European higher education landscape with goals including creating a unified European higher education area, harmonizing degree programs and qualifications (introduction of Bachelor's and Master's degrees), and improving student and lecturer mobility.

VDL-Bundesverband Berufsverband Agrar, Ernährung, Umwelt e.V., Verband der Landwirtschaftskammern e.V.

Degree titles: Vary depending on the degree program. Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.), Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.).

The following vocational training (Ausbildung) professions can be alternatives for this degree program: Plant Sector: Agricultural Service Specialist, Gardener specializing in Vegetable Cultivation, Gardener specializing in Fruit Cultivation, Farmer. Commonalities: Plant production, agriculture or horticulture, marketing agricultural products. Animal Sector: Animal Husbandry Specialist specializing in Poultry Farming, Animal Husbandry Specialist specializing in Beekeeping, Animal Husbandry Specialist specializing in Cattle Farming, Animal Husbandry Specialist specializing in Pig Farming, Animal Husbandry Specialist specializing in Sheep Farming. Commonalities: Animal production, animal husbandry, marketing animal products. Searching via job fields (Berufsfelder) may open up further alternatives. Further information on perspectives after dropping out of a degree program: Dropping out – what then? studienwahl.de.

During your university studies (Studium), you generally do not receive remuneration. However, for practical phases, such as an internship in a company, a payment can be arranged. Remuneration during a dual study program (duales Studium) varies depending on the training model and the company.

Legal regulations for university studies (Studium) are set at federal (Bundesebene), state (Landesebene), and university (Hochschulebene) levels. At the federal level, these include the Higher Education Framework Act (Hochschulrahmengesetz - HRG) and joint structural guidelines for the accreditation of Bachelor's and Master's degree programs. There is also a qualifications framework for German higher education degrees. At the state level, higher education laws in conjunction with administrative regulations, such as those concerning program accreditation or qualification/university admission regulations, apply. At the university level, the university's statutes and the study and examination regulations for the respective subject are applicable.

For university studies (Studium) at universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen) and vocational academies (Berufsakademien), at least the Fachhochschulreife (university of applied sciences entrance qualification) or an equivalent certificate recognized by the competent authority of the respective federal state (Bundesland) (e.g., Ministry of Culture) is required. Information on studying without a school-based university entrance qualification for professionally qualified individuals can be found in the university access rules for each federal state. Depending on the university, an internal selection process may take place. For dual study programs (duales Studium), an apprenticeship (Ausbildung), internship, or employment contract with a suitable company (referred to as a practical partner) is usually required.

Bachelor's graduates in Agricultural Management can continue their studies in an advanced degree program (weiterführendes Studium), such as Agricultural Management or Agricultural Science (advanced), thereby expanding their professional and career opportunities. These fields include Agricultural Management (advanced), Agricultural Science (advanced), Business Administration (advanced), Fisheries, Aquaculture (advanced), Equine Management (advanced), and Viticulture, Oenology (advanced).