The world relies on agriculture and agrifood systems for food, fiber, and many other everyday materials. These needs are critical for survival, and demand continues to be shaped by population growth, climate pressure, and changing consumption patterns. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), nearly 1.3 billion people were employed in agrifood systems in 2022, making the sector one of the world’s largest sources of employment.
Working in agriculture generally involves farming, ranching, and developing sustainable systems in animal and plant science. It also entails finding solutions to problems caused by climate change, resource use, food security, and rural development.
While a degree is not the only path into agriculture, pursuing a degree in agriculture or a related life-sciences field can help students develop a strong understanding of agricultural science and build technical, research, and problem-solving skills.
Several European universities offer agriculture programs, but in this article, we talk about some of Europe’s best-known agriculture schools.
Top Agriculture Schools in Europe
1. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
As one of the best-known agriculture schools in Europe, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is consistently recognized in agriculture and forestry rankings. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, SLU is ranked third in the world for Agriculture & Forestry. Founded in 1977, SLU is a specialized university focused on research, education, and environmental assessment within the sciences for sustainable life. Its main locations are in Uppsala, Alnarp, and Umeå.
Learning at SLU is not limited to classroom lectures. As a university with a strong focus on science and research, SLU conducts activities at its main sites as well as at research stations, experimental parks, and educational establishments throughout Sweden.
For international students, SLU currently offers one English-taught Bachelor’s program, Forest and Landscape, which is a 3-year, 180-credit program. Students seeking a Master’s degree can choose from agriculture-related options such as Agroecology, Agricultural, Food and Environmental Policy Analysis, and Agricultural Economics and Management.
2. Wageningen University & Research
Originally established as an agricultural college, the Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands is a major name in the agriculture industry. WUR’s mission is “to explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life,” and its work focuses on healthy food and the living environment. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, WUR is ranked first in the world for Agriculture & Forestry.
WUR offers multiple degree options for those who want to work in agriculture and related fields. Undergraduates can study programs such as BSc International Land and Water Management, BSc Animal Sciences, and BSc Earth System Sciences, formerly Soil, Water, Atmosphere. These programs are taught in English and normally take three years to complete.
Those seeking higher education have more options for specialization. Agriculture-related Master’s programs include Resilient Farming and Food Systems, Animal Sciences, Plant Sciences, and double-degree options such as Animal Biodiversity and Genomics and the European Master’s in Resilient Farming and Food Systems.
3. Czech University of Life Sciences
- Study Program
- Location: Czech Republic | Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
Another school with a concentration in agriculture and related fields is the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU). It is a public university in Prague and is recognized internationally in life-sciences fields. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, CZU ranked 58th in the world for Agriculture & Forestry and was the highest-ranked Czech university in that subject.
CZU describes its agriculture programs as practical and career-oriented. Its Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources offers programs that combine theoretical subjects with applied study and practical training. CZU is also a member of the Euroleague for Life Sciences (ELLS), which supports international study, mobility, networking, and scientific student conferences.
CZU offers English-taught Bachelor’s programs such as BSc Agriculture and Food and BSc Sustainable Use of Natural Resources. Postgraduates can study programs such as Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security, Natural Resources and Environment, and Natural Resources Management and Ecological Engineering.
4. ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich is one of Switzerland’s strongest options for agricultural sciences and is ranked eighth in the world for Agriculture & Forestry in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. ETH Zurich was founded by the Swiss Federal Government in the 1850s to educate future engineers and scientists.
The school offers BSc Agricultural Sciences and MSc Agricultural Sciences. Both degrees aim to develop students’ broad knowledge across agricultural disciplines. The Bachelor’s degree is worth 180 credits, while the Master’s degree normally lasts at least two years and requires 120 credits.
An internship is required to complete the degree path. Undergraduates complete a compulsory agricultural internship that includes at least 10 weeks on a farm in Switzerland after the fourth semester. Master’s students complete a professional internship of at least 16 weeks in an agricultural-sciences setting, usually during the third Master’s semester.
5. University of Reading
The University of Reading is one of the United Kingdom’s leading institutions for agriculture-related study. Its School of Agriculture, Policy and Development teaches more than 800 students from around 80 countries each year. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Reading ranked 19th in the world for Agriculture & Forestry and was the highest-placed UK university in the subject.
The University of Reading offers a wide variety of options for undergraduates. Depending on your career choice, you may pursue a Bachelor’s in Agriculture, Agricultural Business Management, Environmental Management and Sustainability, Global Sustainable Development, or other related subjects. Those seeking a Master’s degree can choose among programs such as MSc Agriculture and Development, MSc Agricultural Economics, MSc Applied International Development, and MRes Agricultural and Food Economics.
To cultivate a strong environment for research and learning, Reading maintains modern facilities and extensive land-based resources. The university has approximately 800 hectares of mixed farming land and woodlands around Reading, with crops at Sonning and animals at Arborfield, supporting both teaching and research.
6. University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki, Finland’s oldest and largest institution of academic education and research, was founded in 1640. Its agriculture and forestry programs are offered through the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, and the university ranked 38th in the world for Agriculture & Forestry in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
Undergraduate agriculture-related programs at the University of Helsinki are primarily taught in Finnish and Swedish. Students can pursue programs such as Agricultural Sciences, Forest Sciences, and Environmental and Food Economics.
At the postgraduate level, students may choose programs such as Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural, Environmental and Resource Economics, and Forest Sciences. The Master’s Programme in Agricultural Sciences is a 2-year, 120-credit program with study options including plant production sciences, animal science, agrotechnology, and environmental soil science.
7. Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
- Study Program
- Location: Latvia | Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, now abbreviated as LBTU, is one of Latvia’s leading science universities. Its history dates back to the establishment of the Department of Agriculture at Riga Polytechnicum in 1863, while the current institution traces its founding in Jelgava to 1939. The university was rebranded as Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies in 2022.
Students interested in agriculture can study at LBTU’s Faculty of Agriculture and Food Technology. The university offers an English-taught Bachelor’s program in Sustainable Agriculture, which lasts three years and is worth 180 ECTS credits. LBTU also offers agriculture-related study at the Master’s and doctoral levels, depending on the program and language of instruction.
LBTU is also home to study and research facilities that support practical learning. These include the Study and Research Farm “Pēterlauki,” which supports agronomic research projects and the study process.
FAQs about Studying Agriculture
Which European Country is the Best to Study Agriculture?
Some of the strongest European countries for studying agriculture include the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, and Czechia. These countries host highly ranked agriculture and forestry programs, research-focused universities, farm internships, and partnerships with agricultural organizations. Germany can also be an affordable option because many public universities charge no tuition fees or only low semester contributions, although students should check each university and federal state carefully because exceptions apply, such as tuition fees for some non-EU students in Baden-Württemberg. Ultimately, the best study destination depends on your academic goals, preferred language of instruction, budget, and career plans. While we currently don’t offer agriculture courses, we have a wide range of options that might interest you, so check out our Open Courses Page to learn more about other available courses.
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 learn more information about studying abroad!
