MSc in Agro-Environmental Management

Students in the Agro-Environmental Management programme are out to change the world. Rather than just making minor changes to existing production systems, our students are out to rethink the entire production cycle by optimising production goals as well as environmental targets. They seek to develop sustainable pathways for every level of food production, to use new technologies to comply with increased regulation, and to eliminate waste from the entire production cycle. This approach is not about maximising production – it’s about balancing production with environmental concerns.

Courses provide a strong theoretical background in subjects such as carbon and nutrient cycling and the agro-environmental management al farm and landscape scale. In the second year, students will have the opportunity to apply this knowledge in their thesis project.

AN IDEAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Denmark, a country that produces three times as much food as it consumes, is an ideal location for studying agricultural systems. Its agricultural history and long-standing strict environmental regulations means that students have many practical examples and a large existing body of research to draw from. Aarhus University is alone in offering this specific degree.

The programme looks at topics such as carbon cycling and climate change; nutrient cycling and environmental management; environmental effects of various types of production; soil ecosystem services; xenobiotics; use of natural resources; geographic information systems; environmental legislation and regulation; and nature restoration.

These topics are of global relevance. Combined with the considerable Danish expertise and experience in this area, this means that the degree programme attracts students from all over the world. We therefore guarantee that, as a student on the Agro-Environmental Management MSc programme, you will be challenged and stimulated at both the scientific and social level. In the course of the programme, each student will be connected with relevant research groups in connection with their project work or thesis work.

A mixture of Danish and international students provides an optimal environment for peer-to-peer learning. Danes can share their experience of working in a highly regulated industry with strong environmental protections, and international students can bring both problems and solutions from their home countries to the discussions, an opportunity that will prepare all students to work in a globalised world.

INTERNATIONAL MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SOILS & GLOBAL CHANGE

From 2020, some of the courses will be organised in collaboration with the International Master of Science in Soils and Global Change (IMSOGLO), a European Erasmus Mundus joint master degree programme. The Master’s programme is a collaboration between Aarhus University and three other European universities. It covers the interactions of soils with global change, both in terms of changing climate and changing land use. More information can be found here: masters.au.dk

CAREERS

Graduates of this programme go on to work in advisory services, for city or regional administration, private companies, or NGOs. They may also find careers at the UN or work in independent consulting, offering assessment services. Students who do their thesis in the context of a specific company are often offered a job there. Many students continue studying for a PhD degree.

SELECTION CRITERIA

As the Master’s programme admits only a limited number of students each year, meeting the admission requirements does not in itself guarantee admission to the programme. Student places are allocated on the basis of an overall assessment. In evaluating qualified applicants, the admissions committee assesses applicants according to the following criteria: academic background; overall grade level of bachelor’s degree; grades achieved on relevant courses; and relevant courses (measured in credit units) included in the bachelor’s degree.

Relevant courses include core courses within the subject areas of agro- environmental management, mathematics, statistics, and probability theory.

A WORLD RESEARCH LEADER

Aarhus University’s research in agricultural sciences is cutting-edge and puts it in the front rank of agricultural science institutions worldwide. The core areas of research are: climate and natural resources, environment and bioenergy, organic farming, food quality, farm animal production, and plant production.

Sustainability is a fundamental principle. The goal is to seek solutions that contribute to environmentally and economically sustainable development of the agricultural and food industries.

IN THE RANKINGS

Agricultural Sciences at Aarhus University ranks 9. in the 2021 US News Best Global Universities Ranking and 2. in the 2020 Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities, in which Food Science and Technology ranks 2. and Agriculture and Forestry at AU ranks 37. in the 2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject.