Programmes and courses

Page reviewed:  11/07/2025

Here we highlight programs and courses focusing on plant breeding and food production. Many of the courses are offered regularly, so we also list recently held ones to give an overview of what will be offered in the future.

Programmes

SLU has two-years Master´s programmes with a holistic view on food production, such as AgroecologyFood and Landscape and Sustainable Food Systems. A new one-year Master´s programme, Livsmedelstillsyn (food inspection), started in the autumn of 2024.

Within the Master´s programmes Plant Biology for Sustainable Production and Horticultural Science there are good opportunities to specialise in plant breeding.​

In addition, an introduction to genetics and plant breeding is offered in several bachelor's programmes, such as Trädgårdsingenjör - odlingLantmästareAgronomprogrammet livsmedelAgronomprogrammet mark och växt och Biologi och miljövetenskap.

Applications for programmes starting in autumn 2025 were open from 17 March to 15 April 2025 at universityadmissions.se.

Courses

Several elective courses at SLU include genetics and plant breeding or focus on sustainable food production. These courses are also open to applicants who are not enrolled in a degree programme. Course registration is done through universityadmissions.se. Admission is based on eligibility and availability.

Summer courses 2025

Application period was 17 February - 17 March, 2025

The history and future of cultivated plants in Sweden 7,5 hp (distance, in Swedish)

Summer course in agrarian history 10 hp (distance, in Swedish)

Food today and tomorrow, from different perspectives 7,5 hp (distance, in Swedish)

Experimental Horticulture 15 hp (Alnarp, in Swedish)

Bachelor’s level courses, autumn 2025

Application period was 17 March - 15 April, 2025

Genetics, Cell Biology and Microbiology 15 hp (Ultuna, in Swedish)

Food in today´s and tomorrow´s society - an introduction 15 hp (Alnarp and distance, in Swedish)

Pomology – Harvest, Post Harvest and Plant Breeding 7,5 hp (Alnarp, half distance, in Swedish)

Plant Breeding and Plant Physiology 15 hp (Alnarp, in Swedish)

Master´s level courses autumn 2025

Application period 17 March - 15 April, 2025

Applied Plant Biotechnology 15 hp (Alnarp)

Advances Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources 15 hp (Alnarp)

Food waste - current situation and future opportunities 7,5 hp (Ultuna)

Food ethics 7,5 hp (distance)

Genetic Diversity and Plant Breeding 15 hp (Ultuna)

Prospects and challenges for sustainable food systems 15 hp (Ultuna)

Sustainable agri-food value chains and bioeconomy 15 hp (distance)

Bachelor’s level courses spring 2025

Application period 16 September - 15 October, 2024

Sustainable Food Production 7,5 hp (distance, in Swedish)

Pomology – Cultivation, Propagation and Plant Protection 7,5 hp (Alnarp, half distance, in Swedish)

Sustainable Food Production - Challenges and Cropping System Solutions 7,5 hp (Ultuna)

Postharvest – Biology and Technology 15 hp (distance)

Master´s level courses spring 2025

Application period 16 September - 15 October, 2024

Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection 15 hp (Alnarp)

Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection 15 hp (Ultuna)

Sustainable Plant Production - from Molecular to Field Scale 15 hp (Alnarp)

Sustainable Plant Production - from Molecular to Field Scale 15 hp (Ultuna)

Global Food Systems and Food Security 15 hp (Ultuna)

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