Crops and Plant Sciences 24 months Postgraduate Programme By University of Milan |TopUniversities

Programme overview

Main Subject

Agriculture and Forestry

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

Overview

Cultivate the Future: Shaping Resilient Crops for a Changing World

The Master’s Degree in Crops and Plant Sciences is designed to produce competent professionals capable of designing and managing competitive, sustainable plant production systems as well as urban and ornamental green spaces. Thanks to a careful combination of theoretical and practical learning activities, the programme equips graduates with advanced skills to enhance plant productivity while protecting the environment and responding to evolving climate challenges.

What You’ll Learn

Over the two years of the programme, you will gain:

  • advanced knowledge of plant biology, physiology, genetics, molecular biology and the biology of microorganisms and plant pests
  • skills to analyse cropping systems and green infrastructures to optimise both productivity and environmental sustainability
  • techniques to diagnose and manage abiotic and biotic stress, applying integrated and rational plant protection strategies
  • competence in laboratory and field methods to assess the quality, sustainability and safety of plant production processes
  • the ability to design, manage, and certify production systems using traditional and innovative technologies, including genetic improvement tools.

Why Choose Our Master’s Degree in Crops and Plant Sciences

  • Modern labs, educational field trips and three experimental farms for plenty of hands-on training
  • All your second-year courses in English
  • Numerous international mobility opportunities, including the Erasmus+ traineeship programme and a double degree option with the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology ( TUAT )
  • An international learning environment thanks to participation in the emPlant+ programme and several courses and seminars held by visiting lecturers.


Programme Structure

The Master’s degree in Crops and Plant Sciences is structured into two years divided into semesters, with learning activities ranging from lectures to in-class exercises, from group projects to field trips.

The first year consists of a set of compulsory courses, all taught in Italian. During the second year, students can tailor their learning experience by choosing between two different pathways:

  • Crop production : this pathway provides advanced expertise in crop system management, focusing on methods and approaches to optimise production inputs while considering soil and climate conditions, as well as biotic and abiotic stress factors.
  • Plant biotechnology : this pathway provides students with a thorough understanding of plant molecular biology and the molecular methods applicable to genetic improvement and crop protection, including the development of crop ideotypes.

For both options, all second-year courses are taught in English.

For further details, visit the University’s website.


Career Opportunities

Graduates of this programme stand out for their specialised expertise in advanced plant production systems, genetic improvement and plant health diagnostics, enabling them to contribute effectively to innovation and sustainability across the agricultural and environmental sectors.

Where Your Degree Can Take You

With a degree in Crops and Plant Sciences, you will be equipped to work across the full spectrum of modern plant production systems, environmental services, and green infrastructure management.
Potential roles include:

  • Plant Protection and Biosecurity Technician
  • Urban and Ornamental Green Systems Manager
  • Plant Breeder
  • Phytopathologist / Entomologist
  • Agronomist

Employers range from public research institutions to companies producing seeds, plant materials, pesticides and fertilisers, from molecular biology laboratories to international organisations involved in environmental cooperation.

Whatever your future job will be, this degree empowers you to contribute to more efficient and resilient land use practices, paving the way for a more sustainable agriculture and plant sector.


PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEGREE PROGRAM IS PRIMARILY TAUGHT IN ITALIAN.

Programme overview

Main Subject

Agriculture and Forestry

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

Overview

Cultivate the Future: Shaping Resilient Crops for a Changing World

The Master’s Degree in Crops and Plant Sciences is designed to produce competent professionals capable of designing and managing competitive, sustainable plant production systems as well as urban and ornamental green spaces. Thanks to a careful combination of theoretical and practical learning activities, the programme equips graduates with advanced skills to enhance plant productivity while protecting the environment and responding to evolving climate challenges.

What You’ll Learn

Over the two years of the programme, you will gain:

  • advanced knowledge of plant biology, physiology, genetics, molecular biology and the biology of microorganisms and plant pests
  • skills to analyse cropping systems and green infrastructures to optimise both productivity and environmental sustainability
  • techniques to diagnose and manage abiotic and biotic stress, applying integrated and rational plant protection strategies
  • competence in laboratory and field methods to assess the quality, sustainability and safety of plant production processes
  • the ability to design, manage, and certify production systems using traditional and innovative technologies, including genetic improvement tools.

Why Choose Our Master’s Degree in Crops and Plant Sciences

  • Modern labs, educational field trips and three experimental farms for plenty of hands-on training
  • All your second-year courses in English
  • Numerous international mobility opportunities, including the Erasmus+ traineeship programme and a double degree option with the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology ( TUAT )
  • An international learning environment thanks to participation in the emPlant+ programme and several courses and seminars held by visiting lecturers.


Programme Structure

The Master’s degree in Crops and Plant Sciences is structured into two years divided into semesters, with learning activities ranging from lectures to in-class exercises, from group projects to field trips.

The first year consists of a set of compulsory courses, all taught in Italian. During the second year, students can tailor their learning experience by choosing between two different pathways:

  • Crop production : this pathway provides advanced expertise in crop system management, focusing on methods and approaches to optimise production inputs while considering soil and climate conditions, as well as biotic and abiotic stress factors.
  • Plant biotechnology : this pathway provides students with a thorough understanding of plant molecular biology and the molecular methods applicable to genetic improvement and crop protection, including the development of crop ideotypes.

For both options, all second-year courses are taught in English.

For further details, visit the University’s website.


Career Opportunities

Graduates of this programme stand out for their specialised expertise in advanced plant production systems, genetic improvement and plant health diagnostics, enabling them to contribute effectively to innovation and sustainability across the agricultural and environmental sectors.

Where Your Degree Can Take You

With a degree in Crops and Plant Sciences, you will be equipped to work across the full spectrum of modern plant production systems, environmental services, and green infrastructure management.
Potential roles include:

  • Plant Protection and Biosecurity Technician
  • Urban and Ornamental Green Systems Manager
  • Plant Breeder
  • Phytopathologist / Entomologist
  • Agronomist

Employers range from public research institutions to companies producing seeds, plant materials, pesticides and fertilisers, from molecular biology laboratories to international organisations involved in environmental cooperation.

Whatever your future job will be, this degree empowers you to contribute to more efficient and resilient land use practices, paving the way for a more sustainable agriculture and plant sector.


PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEGREE PROGRAM IS PRIMARILY TAUGHT IN ITALIAN.

Admission Requirements

42+
4+

Entry Qualification:

Undergraduate diploma (or higher)

A. Students with an Italian University Degree

Applicants to this Master’s degree programme are required to hold a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Forestry (L-26), with at least 30 university credits ( ECTS ) earned across the following subjects:

  • Botany, plant physiology and zoology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Mathematics and statistics
  • Informatics and information processing systems

Those holding a Bachelor’s degree in other degree classes are also eligible, provided they have earned at least 60 credits ( ECTS ) in the basic subjects covered by the degree programme. For further details on these subjects and the ECTS required, please visit the University’s website.

B. Students with non-Italian University Degrees

If you hold a foreign first-cycle degree (i.e. a Bachelor’s or other degree issued by a non-Italian higher education institution), the Admission Board will check your transcript of records to assess whether your first-cycle degree makes you eligible for admission.

As a general rule, the Admission Board is looking for applicants with a first-cycle degree as close as possible to that required of graduates from Italian universities, i.e. in fields related to agriculture and forestry. Please note that the Admission Board may ask you to provide further documents to assess your prior academic studies.

Selection Process for All Applicants

All applicants meeting the minimum entry requirements will be invited to an online interview to prove their background knowledge of the above-mentioned subjects.

For further details, please visit the University’s website.

All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application as soon as possible. Please bear in mind that reply times may vary depending on the number of applications received .

The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English / German / French / Spanish / Italian.

Please note that we only accept official translations (either issued by your former higher education institution or carried out by a certified or sworn translator).

The high school diploma and university degree/certificates are also accepted in French, English, German and Spanish (unless otherwise indicated for individual programmes).A B1 or higher level of proficiency in English is required for admission.

Language Requirements:

English

A B1 or higher level of proficiency in English is required for admission.

How to Prove Your English Proficiency

  • If you have a language certificate accepted by the University, just attach it to your application for admission. Please note that the University accepts only certificates obtained in the last 3 years (2 years for TOEFL ).
  • If you don’t have a language certificate or if you are a native speaker, the University will send you an email and invite you to take an English entry test. The test is free of charge and can also be taken remotely.

If you miss or fail the English entry test, you will still have a chance to be cleared for admission, by submitting a B1 language certificate accepted by the University before the applicable deadline.

List of language certificates accepted by the University

2 Years
Oct

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