Agrarwissenschaften / Agricultural Sciences (B.Sc.)

On the Bachelor’s degree programme in Agricultural Sciences at JLU, you’ll help shape the agriculture of tomorrow – through an interdisciplinary, practical and future-oriented approach.

Overview

Our Bachelor’s in Agricultural Sciences invites you to gain an understanding of agriculture as a holistic system, from crop and livestock production through to agricultural technology and marketing. Drawing on scientific principles, you combine ecological, economic and social perspectives. This is how you can contribute to addressing current issues such as climate action, animal welfare, digitalisation and global food security.

Applying for admission

Start of studies

Winter semester

Mode of admission

No admission restriction

Duration of studies

6 semesters

Workload

180 credit points (CP)

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)

Language of instruction

German

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Composition of the Study Programme

What can I expect from this programme?

How will we feed 10 billion people in the future? How do we produce and market high-quality food? How do we breed and keep farm animals in a species-appropriate way? How do we protect plants? How does organic farming work? These and other exciting questions are addressed in the Bachelor's degree programme in Agricultural Sciences. Students learn about agriculture from all sides and understand the entire agricultural system.

Agriculture has long since ceased to be what it once was: climate change makes it necessary for us to find ways to reduce our consumption of resources, release fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, protect the environment and preserve biodiversity. Nevertheless, we want to produce high quality food to feed the growing world population. An important role is played by progressive digitalisation both in the field and in the barn, which fundamentally changes the work in agriculture, increases efficiency in production and supports farmers in doing more for the environment, climate and animal welfare.

What will I learn?

In the agricultural sciences degree programme, our students are actively involved in solving important social and environmental problems. The basis of the study programme is formed by basic natural science subjects such as biology, chemistry, mathematics and statistics. Building on this, students receive basic training in the disciplines of plant and animal production as well as agricultural economics and agricultural technology. Social sciences and ecology also play a role. This approach from different directions is called interdisciplinary. In addition, our students acquire interdisciplinary skills such as science-led work and presentation.

What skills and interests should I have?

In addition to the formal entry requirements (see application), we expect fun in the science of life, flexibility, solution-oriented thinking and a pragmatic approach to the challenges of everyday life. Basic knowledge of mathematics, chemistry and biology is an advantage. JLU offers preliminary courses in which you can brush up on your knowledge before starting your studies. This way you are optimally prepared for your studies.

How is the programme structured?

The programme consists of 17 core modules (compulsory modules) and 11 profile modules (elective modules). Each module has a scope of 6 CP (4 hours per week for one semester) and concludes with a course-related examination. The grades achieved in the individual module examinations result in the final degree grade. In addition, the programme includes a Bachelor's thesis, which is equivalent to 2 modules. This proves that you are capable of independently writing a scientific paper.

Individual profile

The development of an individual profile plays a major role in the degree programme. Our students decide for themselves whether they want to acquire a broad all-round knowledge or prefer to specialise, whether their studies are more practice-oriented or scientific and theoretical. They can choose profile modules from the complete range of courses offered by the Department 09 or even from other departments at JLU.

Practical relevance

In addition to choosing practice-oriented modules, students have the opportunity to complete an internship to gain a first insight into professional life. Module BP 144 "Professional Internship" corresponds to 12 CP and can be chosen as a profile module in all Bachelor's degree programmes of Faculty 09. In this way, students familiarise themselves with the professional world and get suggestions for the individual organisation of their further studies. The Internship Office maintains a database of suitable companies and institutions and supports students in their search for a suitable internship.

Structure of studies

1st semester	2nd semester	3rd semester
Economics and Business Administration	Basics of biochemistry	Mathematics and Statistics
Soil Science and Ecology	Operational production economics	Crop Production
Agricultural Engineering I	Politics of the agricultural and food economy	Animal Nutrition
Biology	Animal Breeding	Plant Nutrition
Introductory chemistry practical course	Plant Breeding I	Phytomedicine

4th semester	5th semester	6th semester
Livestock production and livestock ethology	Specialisation Module 4	Specialisation Module 9
Organic Farming	Specialisation Module 5	Specialisation Module 10
Specialisation Module 1	Specialisation Module 6	Specialisation Module 11
Specialisation Module 2	Specialisation Module 7	Bachelor's Thesis
Specialisation Module 3	Specialisation Module 8	Bachelor's Thesis

Specialisation modules

Broad all-round knowledge or specialisation - both are possible. Our students have it in their hands, they put together their studies according to their individual inclinations from the whole range of our offer. In a catalogue of over 80 modules, students can choose profile modules from the following topics, for example:

Economics
Business Administration
Agricultural, food and environmental policy
Insect Biotechnology
Soil science and soil protection
Plant cultivation and plant breeding
Plant Nutrition
Renewable raw materials and bioresources
Bioinformatics
Organic Farming
Animal Breeding and Husbandry
Animal Nutrition
Communication and advisory services

Practical relevance

During their studies students have the opportunity to do a professional practical training of 9 weeks (12 credit points), during which they become familiar with professional reality and are encouraged in the individual structuring of their studies. The Practical Training Office provides a data base of suitable businesses and institutions.

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Career Options

Which options for further study does JLU offer?

he following consecutive Master's degrees are offered by JLU:

Additionally, Faculty 09 at JLU offers further Master's degrees.

What career paths can I pursue after graduation?

Graduates of the degree programme in Agricultural Sciences can be employed in the environment and at all levels of agricultural production as well as in the upstream and downstream areas. Possible employers can be found at state institutions, professional associations, in the private sector, in research, or at international organisations / non-governmental organisations. The following is a selection of possible employers:

Federal and Land Ministries:

Offices for Agriculture and Rural Development
Chambers of Agriculture
Environmental, land consolidation and settlement offices
Agricultural testing institutes
State institutes for plant protection
Federal Plant Variety Office

Associations:

Agricultural associations
Machinery and farm relief associations
Livestock associations and producer groups
Organic farming and certification associations

Private sector:

Breeding and plant protection companies
Fertiliser companies
Animal feed and animal health companies
Agricultural technology companies
Food and nutrition industry
Bioenergy industry
Insurance companies
(Large) agricultural enterprises

Research:

Universities and technical colleges
Federal institutes and agricultural research institutes (e.g. JKI, IPK)
International agricultural research centres (e.g. IRRI, CIMMYT, IFPRI, etc.)
Research departments of large agricultural companies

International organisations and NGOs:

German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ)
FAO and other UN agencies
NGOs such as Welthungerhilfe, FIAN, Brot für die Welt, Caritas, etc.

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Application and Enrolment

Requirements

A valid university entrance qualification (German: HZB) is required for admission to the program.

From Germany: General university entrance qualification (= Abitur or equivalent), vocational university entrance qualification, master craftsman’s certificate, university entrance qualification for professionally qualified individuals.
From abroad: You can find out whether the university entrance qualification from your home country qualifies you for direct admission to a degree program in Germany on the information portal for the recognition of foreign educational qualifications (anabin).

An A2 level of English is necessary, since the majority of scientific literature is written in English. Formal proof is not required.

Proof of an internship (pre-internship) is not required for admission.

Applicants with a foreign university entrance qualification should also note the required proof of German language proficiency.

Application deadline

Winter semester 2026/27

Opening of application period

1 June 2026

Application deadline

for applicants with a German university entrance qualification: 1 September 2026
for applicants with a foreign university entrance qualification: 15 August 2026

International applicants can find further information on the International Office website.

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👉 Apply now More about the application process

Further Information

Where can I find official documents about the programme?

Examination and study regulations

Special Regulations (with module descriptions and module plans)
General Regulations for Bachelor's and Master's programmes

Please note that only the German version of the regulation is official and legally binding. The English version is for informative purposes only.

Courses offered in the course catalogue

Electronical course catalogue (in German)

Study programme flyer

B.Sc. Agrarwissenschaften (PDF in German)

Accreditation

The programme has been accredited since 28 September 2007.

Where can I find more information about the faculty?

Links

Faculty 09 – Agricultural Sciences, Nutritional Sciences and Environmental Management
Faculty's Deanery
Faculty's examination office
Student representatives Faculty 09

Bachelor's Degree Programmes of Faculty 09

Agrarwissenschaften / Agricultural Sciences
Environmental Sciences (taught in English)

Ernährungswissenschaften / Nutritional Sciences

Global Food Systems (taught in English)
Ökotrophologie / Nutritional Sciences and Home Economics

Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioressourcen / Crop Biomass and Bioresources
Umweltmanagement / Environmental Management

Please have a look at our International Pages for more information in English.

Is this course right for me?

Are you still not entirely sure whether the course of study is the right one for you? We support you with a wide range of information, events and advisory services around your study orientation and choice. For example, experience real university atmosphere at our Hochschulinformationstagen (HIT) and the Open Campus Day!

Study orientation

How do I have a successful start at JLU?

To help you get off to a good start with your studies, we warmly invite you to attend our orientation events. Here you will learn
everything you need to know about starting your studies: