The world heavily relies on agriculture for food and clothing. These two needs are critical for survival, and the global demand increases exponentially every year. To keep up, the agriculture industry employs more than one billion people annually. Today, it is known as the largest industry in the world.
Working in agriculture generally involves farming, ranching, and developing sustainable systems in animal & plant science. It also entails finding solutions to problems caused by escalating climate pressures.
To successfully contribute to the industry, a degree in agriculture is necessary. Pursuing a degree allows you to develop a deep understanding of the science behind agriculture and equips you with technical and research skills.
Several European universities offer agriculture programs, but in this article, we talk about some of Europe’s best agriculture schools.
Which European Country is the Best to Study Agriculture?
Some of the best countries in Europe to study Agriculture are Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. These countries offer world-class agriculture programs in top universities, farm internships, and partnerships with international agricultural organizations. You’ll also have the opportunity to study Agriculture in German universities without worrying about tuition costs. Although, ultimately, the choice of study destination is entirely up to you. So, check out our Open Courses Page to learn more about other available courses in Europe. While we currently don’t offer agriculture courses, we have a wide range of options that might interest you.
Top Agriculture Schools in Europe
1. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
As one of the best agriculture schools in Europe, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) often tops the list for the best agriculture and forestry schools in the world. Founded in 1977, SLU offers students the opportunity to pursue an education that is strongly connected to the UN sustainability goals. The school welcomes over 4,000 students every year at three campuses in Sweden, located in Uppsala, Alnarp, and Umea.
Learning at SLU is not limited to classroom lectures. As a university with a strong focus on science and research, students must participate in activities and experiments at SLU partner universities, research stations, and experimental parks.
Students seeking a Bachelor’s degree undergo a 3-year study period, in which their general knowledge in agriculture develops. After which, students are highly encouraged to pursue a Master’s degree where they can concentrate on Agroecology, Food & Environmental Policy Analysis, or Agricultural Economics & Management.
2. Wageningen University & Research
Originally established as a national agricultural college, the Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands is a big name in the agriculture industry. To uphold its mission of exploring nature and improving the quality of life, this leading agriculture institution only grants degrees to students from three fields: food production, natural resources, and society & well-being. Their hyper-focus on these allowed them to develop the most advanced and intensive curricula that result in well-trained, competitive graduates who are ready to be leaders in their industries.
WUN offers multiple degree options for those who want to work in agriculture. Undergraduates can study BSc Soil, Water, Atmosphere, BSc International Land and Water Management, and BSc Animal Sciences. All courses under these programs are taught in English.
Those seeking higher education have more options for specialization. The most popular ones are Agroecology, Animal Breeding & Genetics, and Organic Agriculture. You may also get double Master’s degrees for some of these specializations.
3. Czech University of Life Sciences
Another school with a concentration in agriculture and its related fields is the Czech University of Life Sciences (CZU). It is a public university in Prague that welcomes over 18,000 students every year.
CZU describes its agriculture programs as job-oriented. Each course is thoughtfully designed to train students in modern scientific methods that are widely used in the industry today. Hence, CZU cooperates with several local and international research institutes to provide hands-on learning. Teachers also encourage students to attend conferences by the Euroleague for Life Sciences (ELLS), where they can establish connections with peers and industry leaders.
CZU offers BS Agriculture and Food and BS Sustainable Use of Natural Resources, both taught in English. Postgraduates can concentrate on Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security, Natural Resources & Environment, or Natural Resources Management.
4. ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
ETH Zurich is the only university in Switzerland that offers degrees in agricultural sciences. It was founded in 1854 by the Swiss Federal Government to educate future engineers and scientists.
The school offers BS Agricultural Sciences and MS Agricultural Sciences. Both degrees aim to develop students’ broad knowledge across various agricultural disciplines. Students of ETH undergo twice as many lectures compared to other universities.
An internship is required to complete the degree. Undergraduates live full-time on a mixed farm in Switzerland during a lecture-free period. Here, they are able to bridge the link between theory and practice by working on tasks and collaborating with farmers. An internship is also required for postgraduates, but they must seek positions in an agriculture-related organization that is not a university or farm.
5. University of Reading
After more than 90 years of experience, the University of Reading (UR) has established itself as the most trusted name in higher education in Europe. Its agriculture program is one of the most sought-after, with over 700 students pursuing degrees in different levels.
UR is one of the best agriculture schools in Europe and offers a wide variety of options for undergraduates. Depending on your career choice, you may pursue a Bachelor in Agriculture, Animal Science, Behavior and Marketing, Environmental Management, or International Development. Those seeking a Master’s degree can choose among three specializations, namely International Development, Agri-Food Economics, or Agriculture.
In order to cultivate a good environment for research and learning, UR established multiple modern facilities designed to accommodate the needs of agriculture students. There are also two separate farms – the Shinfield Farm and Sonning Farm – where students frequently visit to learn about commercial farming operations.
6. University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki (UH), Finland’s oldest university, has always been a center for science since its establishment in 1829. It is a highly selective school and admits only 15% of applicants yearly.
Under the agriculture program, UH offers undergraduate courses in Finnish and Swedish. Students of this top agriculture school have an option to pursue BS Agricultural Sciences, BS Forest Sciences, or BS Environmental and Food Economics.
Postgraduate courses are conducted in English. Students may choose to concentrate in Agricultural Sciences, Environmental and Resource Economics, or Forest Sciences.
7. Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
As one of the top agriculture schools in Europe, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LLU) was first founded in 1944. Today, it boasts more than 80 years of experience in educating intellectuals with a passion for sustainable agriculture and its related fields.
When pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in LLU, you can choose to specialize in Agronomy, Horticulture, Zootechnics, or Management of Agricultural Enterprise. Those pursuing their Master’s can choose to specialize in Field-crop Cultivation, Horticulture, and Animal Husbandry.
LLU is also home to modern research facilities that are helpful in the pursuit of practical knowledge. These include the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and the Laboratory for Testing of Value for Cultivation and Use of Agricultural Crop Varieties. LLU also has a research farm called Peterlauki and a horse-breeding training farm called Muski.
We hope that you found this article on the best agriculture schools in Europe informative and helpful. Check out the Programs in Europe for International Students to know more information about studying abroad!
