Ecological Agriculture & Food Systems
We provide you with an inter- and transdisciplinary education to shape transformation. The challenges of the 21st century demand societal change. Agriculture and food production play a central role in this transformation process. The way we produce, process and market food must be reimagined.
Analysis and evaluation of complex value chains
The Master’s degree programme Ecological Agriculture and Food Systems connects organic farming with the societal sectors relevant to food supply. It enables you to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to analyse and evaluate complex value chains and production processes in order to transform the agriculture and food sectors towards greater ecological, social and economic sustainability. With the → Double Degree, you can earn two degrees in a single programme.
Ecological Agriculture & Food Systems
Ecological Agriculture & Food Systems
Ecological Agriculture & Food Systems
Ecological Agriculture & Food Systems
Dates and Events
Guided tour of the city and forest campus
University Information Day 2026
Career prospects
Organic farming is an integral part of the agricultural and food system and it is here to stay. As the entire food sector continues to grow, so too do the associated fields of work. There is a high demand for professionals who bring a new understanding of management and values.
Graduates are equipped to successfully guide agricultural enterprises through transformation processes - such as the conversion to organic farming, the development of new cultivation methods, or the establisment of innovative value chains. They are also capable of designing, securing funding for, and implementing interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, development, and knowledge transfer projects. This degree programme prepares you to contributre your expertise to businesses, associations, and organisations within the ecological farming sector.
After my studies, I started as a research assistant at ZALF, where I am currently working on my PhD and researching the development of new soybean cultivation strategies for Brandenburg.
Mosab Halwani
Research Associate at the Leibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Graduate, Organic Agriculture and Food Systems Msc.
Since 2022, I have been working at the Ministry for Energy Transition, Agriculture, Environment, Nature and Digitalisation in Schleswig-Holstein in the Organic Farming, Cross Compliance Unit. The study programme prepared me well for this.
Marthe Rissmann
Organic Agriculture Officer - Ministry for Energy Transition, Agriculture, Environment, Nature and Digitalisation of the State of Schleswig-Holstein, Graduate, Organic Agriculture and Food Systems Msc.
I want to apply...
Application period
Summer semester:
for higher semesters: 1 December to 15 January
Winter semester:
for the first semester: 1 March to 15 July
for higher semesters: 1 March to 15 July
Please create an applicant account via the HNEE application portal. You will receive a confirmation email from us containing your username and password. You may then log in to enter the required information and upload your documents.
After submitting the online application, you can access a summary of your details by clicking the “Print” button. We recommend printing and reviewing this summary for accuracy.
If you discover any errors after submission, please contact us by e-mail before the application deadline.
Applicants must hold a first university degree qualifying for a profession (e.g. Bachelor’s, Diplom, Magister, Master’s or Staatsexamen) with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits. This degree should be in a field related to landscape, business, or food sciences. Relevant disciplines include, in particular:
- Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
- Horticulture
- Landscape Planning
- Regional Development
- Environmental or Nature Conservation
- Food Management/Nutritional Science (Oecotrophology)
- Business Administration
- Degree certificate and transcript of records (alternatively, a transcript showing at least 150 ECTS credits and a provisional overall grade)
- Educational and professional background (CV in tabular format)
Application period
Summer semester:
for higher semesters: 1 November to 1 December from a non-EU country or 1 December to 15 January from an EU/EEA country
Winter semester:
for the first semester: 1 March to 1 June from a non-EU country or 1 March to 15 July from an EU/EEA country
for higher semesters: 1 March to 1 June from a non-EU country or 1 March to 15 July from an EU/EEA country
Please apply early if you need to apply for a visa for your studies. The processing times are sometimes very long.
If you obtained your degree outside Germany, you must not apply directly to our university, regardless of your citizenship. Instead, please apply via the uni-assist e.V. application portal. Uni-assist is a central service provider that conducts a preliminary review of international applications on behalf of many German universities. Detailed information about the application process can be found on the uni-assist website, including country-specific guidance.
If your application is complete and meets the formal admission requirements, uni-assist will forward it to our university. Once your application has been imported into the HNEE application system, you will receive an email with login details for the HNEE application portal, allowing you to track the status of your application.
Applicants must hold a first university degree qualifying for a profession (e.g. Bachelor’s, Diplom, Magister, Master’s or Staatsexamen) with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits. This degree should be in a field related to landscape, business, or food sciences. Relevant disciplines include, in particular:
- Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
- Horticulture
- Landscape Planning
- Regional Development
- Environmental or Nature Conservation
- Food Management/Nutritional Science (Oecotrophology)
- Business Administration
Applicants with an international educational background must also provide proof of German language proficiency at level C1, in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
You can use the uni-assist website to check whether you meet the admission requirements.
The following documents must be uploaded exclusively via the uni-assist application portal. Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and additional documents may be requested.
- Copy of your university degree certificate including final grade and transcript of records (ee also Country information uni-assist)
- Copy of your university entrance qualification
- If available: certificates, references, or proof of relevant professional experience
- Other documents relevant to Master’s admission (e.g. certificate from the Academic Evaluation Centre [APS] for applicants from China, India, Mongolia or Vietnam; proof of having passed a university entrance examination)
- For Applicants with an International Educational Background:
German language certificate at level C1 in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Foreign certificates must be translated into German or English by a sworn translator.
Application period
Summer semester: 1.12. to 15.1.
Winter semester: 1.6. to 15.7.
As a secondary auditor (Nebenhörer*in), you may only apply for modules offered in the respective semester. An overview of the available modules can be found here. Please note that the modules offered, including their schedules and content, are subject to change.
Students who are already enrolled at another university as main (degree-seeking) students may be admitted to Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde (HNEE) as secondary auditors (Nebenhörer*innen), subject to available capacity. Admission requires that simultaneous enrolment at both institutions (parallel studies) is feasible and that the selected module constitutes a meaningful supplement to the student’s primary programme of study.
Secondary auditors are not members of HNEE. They may participate in examinations with the approval of the respective examiners and in accordance with the applicable examination regulations. The scope of examinations taken may not lead to the award of a degree. There is no legal entitlement to participate in examinations. Further provisions are set out in the current matriculation regulations of HNEE.
Formal applications must be submitted during the application period by post or e-mai to the Student Service Centre.
There is a fee for secondary auditoring. The amount of the fee is determined by the current fee schedules of HNEE, the AStA, and the Studierendenwerk Ost:Brandenburg.
Application period
Summer semester: 1.12. to 15.1.
Winter semester: 1.6. to 15.7.
As a guest student, you may only apply for modules offered in the respective semester. An overview of the available modules can be found here. Please note that the modules offered, including their schedules and content, are subject to change.
As a rule, applications for guest auditor status must be submitted to the Student Service Centre prior to the start of the courses (Guest auditor application).
Persons who are not enrolled as guest auditors may be admitted to courses of up to 8 semester weeks within the scope of available training capacity, even without proof of a university entrance qualification.
Guest auditor status is generally subject to a fee. No fees are charged to enrolled students. Guest auditor status is free of charge for interested persons with a refugee background.
Participation in courses within the relevant teaching areas will be confirmed in writing. Participation in examinations is excluded.
Formal applications are to be submitted during the application period by post or e-mail to the Student Service Centre during the application period.
We are happy to welcome you to an → exchange programme at HNEE.
FAQ on application and admission
If the number of applications is expected to exceed the number of available study places, the degree programme will be subject to admission restrictions (Numerus Clausus). Study places are allocated to applicants through a selection process, which involves creating several ranking lists. The average grade or waiting time of the last admitted applicant determines the admission threshold for that year.
You can find the admission thresholds for restricted degree programmes from the previous year here:
Admission thresholds for restricted degree programmes from previous years
No, you may only apply for one degree programme at our university. We encourage you to consult with us early on to determine which programme is the best fit for you. Please contact us via e-mail to arrange an appointment. Consultations are available by phone, online, or in person.
If your Fachhochschulreife (university of applied sciences entrance qualification) consists of a school-based and a practical part, you can only apply once both parts have been completed. For example, if the practical part ends after the application deadline, you will have to apply in the following year.
For applications to a master’s degree programme, we require a transcript from your university showing at least 150 ECTS credits, your current grade point average, and the expected date of graduation.
Admission, rejection, or exclusion notices are made available in the online application portal. At the same time, a notification is sent to the email address registered in your applicant account.
For restricted-admission degree programmes, the notices are usually sent out two to four weeks after the application deadline for the respective programme.
Before your studies
FAQ before starting your studies
When and how do I start my studies?
You will find the semester dates and the programme for the introductory events for first-year students on this page in good time.
There, you will learn how to access your study plan in the campus management system → Mein EMMA, register for modules and exams, and use the Moodle platform, where all learning materials are provided. You will also meet your academic contacts, student representatives and initiatives, and fellow students, while gaining your first insights into the degree programmes. It's well worth attending!
Please bring a valid ID for the identity check, as well as something to take notes with.
For meals, feel free to take advantage of the great offerings at our sustainability canteen.
You can access your study plan online through our campus management system → Mein EMMA. You will receive your login details by email after enrolment.
No, attendance is not compulsory—neither for courses nor for the introductory week (with the exception of the identity check at the beginning of your studies, most exams, and any registered excursions).
However, regular attendance is strongly recommended. It not only supports your learning progress but also helps foster the positive dynamic within our small learning groups
Where can I get support at the beginning of my studies if I don't know my way around or have specific questions?
Most of your questions will likely be answered during the introductory events at the start of the semester. If you still have questions or specific needs, feel free to make use of → our advisory services.
Contacts
Content-related questions
General information about studying
General Student Counselling
Stadtcampus | House 5 ground floor, right
Schicklerstraße 5 | 16225 Eberswalde
+ 49 3334 657-149
studieren(at)hnee.de
Counselling appointment
Please make an appointment by phone or e-mail
Student counselling
Organisational issues
Head of study programme
Professorship in Agroecology and Sustainable Cropping Systems
