Using case studies and field experience, the Master´s Programme in Agroecology guides students through a learning process on agriculture as an open system, dependent on its global and regional surroundings, as well as people and local resources. The programme offers a head start for students who seek to work with development or research for agriculture to support small-scale farmers.

Farming and food production are ecologically, economically and socially important in all societies. Worldwide there is a need for academic experts that can deal with land use systems that are complex, multifunctional and rapidly changing. This programme investigates the social, economic and environmental barriers and opportunities for small scale and sustainable agricultural production. Some examples of subjects are: agronomy in a systems ecology perspective; farm production integrated with nature conservation and production of ecosystem services; the sociology of farming and agriculture.

The programme is based on learning through experience, which means that the complexity of real life situations is the starting-point for study activities. The programme uses real-life case material, for students to test and practice their ongoing acquired knowledge and skills.

The programme contains theoretical bases and methodologies for agroecological and interdisciplinary analyses needed to contribute to sustainable development of livelihoods based on local renewable resources. The programme emphasises the relationship between biological resources and human societies.

The programme has an international focus based upon educational partnership between SLU and universities in Ethiopia and Uganda. The Programme is first and foremost based on agroecological systems and experiences from Nordic agriculture, applied to tropical settings. Diverse cultural backgrounds and academic experiences among students are both encouraged and regarded as constructive for the overall training process.

Programme scope: 2 years, 120 credits

Next start: Alnarp 02 September 2013

Number of admission places: 20

Deadline for application: 15 January 2013

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens:

- First instalment: 67500 SEK

- Total programme: 270000 SEK

A master's degree in Agroecology provides the opportunity to work with development projects, national as well as international. Other possible jobs can be exercise of authority, counseling, teaching and consulting assignments. Employers may be authorities, nonprofit organizations (NGOs), educational organizations and consulting business. These studies can also provide opportunities for post graduate studies.

Previous studies
To be eligible for the Agroecology - Master´s programme, the requirements are a Bachelor´s degree (undergraduate cycle) corresponding to a minimum of 180 HEC/ECTS, including 90 HEC/ECTS specialisation in one of the following subjects/educational areas:

- Natural sciences
- Economics/administration
- Ethnology
- Cultural geography
- Geography
- Human ecology
- Leadership and organization
- Political science
- Sociology
- Social anthropology

or the equivalent overseas degree,

and specific admission requirements including English language proficiency demonstrated as:
- English B (Swedish secondary school) or equivalent.

Grade requirement: A minimum grade of Pass in the course above.