Agricultural Economics and Management
MSc in Business Administration or Economics
Would you like to work with economic aspects of agriculture, food production and natural resources? Then this is the right Master’s programme for you.
PROGRAMME INFORMATION
Maybe you’d like to be an economist specialising in agriculture and green value chains? Or possibly an agronomist specialising in economics? Welcome to this comprehensive programme, which gives you a broad understanding of business administration or economics as they apply to agriculture, agribusiness and agricultural policy.
The programme offers you a great opportunity to develop your understanding of business administration or economics and learn how your knowledge can be applied to agriculture and the green sector’s value chains and used to analyse a range of policy instruments.
After graduation, your Master’s degree will equip you to apply your skills to agriculture and the land-based industries' value chains, as well as continue your studies towards a PhD. The programme also includes a course in leadership which will prepare you for a future in influential managerial positions, possibly as an economist or business manager.
FACTS & REQUIREMENTS
Name:Agricultural Economics and Management - Master's Programme
Level:Master
Language:English
Programme scope:2 year, 120 credits
Next start:Autumn semester 2025
Tuition Fees:Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland are required to pay application and tuition fees.
First semester:SEK 64000
Total:SEK 256000
Application deadline for international students:2025-01-15
Application deadline for Swedish students:2025-04-15
Study location:Uppsala
Pace of study:Full-time
Teaching form:On-campus
Application code for Swedish students:81071
Application code for international students:81070
Requirements:
Admission to the Agricultural Economics and Management – Master’s programme requires a first-cycle qualification comprising 180 credits and including: - studies comprising 90 credits within business administration and 15 credits microeconomics for specialisation business administration or - studies comprising 90 credits within economics for specialisation economics
The qualification must also include at least 5 credits of mathematics and 5 credits of statistics; or 15 credits of statistics.
Two specialisations are available on this programme, and the constituent courses have different specific entry requirements. The specialization business administration requires a specialization in that subject at first-cycle level. The specialisation economics requires a specialization in that subject at first-cycle level.
Applicants with the equivalent qualifications obtained by means of a degree from another country, or with the equivalent knowledge obtained in some other way, may also be regarded as fulfilling the specific entry requirements.
This programme is taught in English. The applicant must further have a level of English equivalent to upper secondary school English, called English 6. An applicant with a first-cycle qualification from SLU comprising 180 credits automatically fulfils this requirement. Special rules apply for applicants with qualifications from one of the Nordic countries and some English-speaking countries.
Specific requirements apply for admission to the individual courses included in the programme.
Degree:
Degree awarded on completion of the programme
Upon completion of the programme, the degree of Master of Science is awarded. Other general qualifications may be awarded, provided that the requirements for them are fulfilled. More information can be found in SLU´s degree regulations.
Students who fulfil the qualification requirements for a degree will be issued a degree certificate upon request. The degree certificate will specify the qualification as Degree of Master of Science in Business and Economics (120 credits) with a Major in Business Administration or with a Major in Economics.
Degree requirements
A degree of Master of Science in business and economics (120 credits) with a major in business administration is awarded to students who fulfil the course requirements (courses with a Pass grade) of 120 credits, of which at least 90 credits at second-cycle level, according to the following:
at least 30 credits of courses with specialised study in the main field business administration (A1N; A1F),
at least 30 credits from an independent project (degree project) in the main field business administration (A2E).
In addition, the student must hold a degree of Bachelor or professional qualification of at least 180 credits or an equivalent qualification.
A degree of Master of Science in business and economics (120 credits) with a major in economics is awarded to students who fulfil the course requirements (courses with a Pass grade) of 120 credits, of which at least 90 credits at second-cycle level, according to the following:
at least 30 credits of courses with specialised study in the main field economics (A1N; A1F),
at least 30 credits from an independent project (degree project) in the main field economics (A2E).
In addition, the student must hold a degree of Bachelor or professional qualification of at least 180 credits or an equivalent qualification.
Admission: There are two admission rounds for this Master's programme. The first admission round is open to all international applicants at www.universityadmissions.se. SLU strongly encourage all international students to apply in this first admission round.
CONTENT
Students on this programme will study in parallel with students of the agronomy-economics programme, thus forming a sizable group with a genuine interest in agriculture. The Agricultural Economics and Management programme offers students a great opportunity to develop their understanding of and skills in business administration or economics. Students choose one of two subjects as their major, and can create their own profile thanks to a series of elective courses.
Business administration offers courses in fields such as production economics, quantitative finance, strategic management, cooperatives and agrimarketing, and ethics. Those pursuing a major in economics can choose among environmental policy, demand for agricultural products, international food system analysis and sustainable development. A number of these courses are offered jointly with Uppsala University.
The programme is taught in English. It is open to students with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration or economics who wish to gain a deeper understanding of agricultural and agribusiness issues.
The programme is given in close collaboration with the European Master’s programme Agricultural Food and Environmental Policy Analysis (AFEPA), thus students may also benefit from the international profile beyond the four-semester Agricultural Economics and Management programme.
Structural changes in the agricultural sector have created a healthy demand for economists with in-depth knowledge of business administration and economics in the field of agriculture. Economists with these skills have found employment in the private and public sectors, with potential employers including banks, financial institutions, advisory services, agricultural cooperatives, support and lobbying organisations and government authorities. Some of our students establish their own companies and work as either consultants or in their own agricultural business. Graduates of the programme are also equipped with the skills necessary to pursue doctoral studies.
Degree awarded
Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in Business and Economics with a Major in Business Administration, or with a Major in Economics
Programme Code: NM031
Finalized by: Utbildningsnämnden, 2018-10-11 Revised: 2025-01-22 Revised By: Programnämnden för utbildning inom naturresurser och jordbruk SLU ID: SLU.ua.2025.3.1.1-115 Education plan valid from: Autumn 2025 Responsible programme board: The programme board for education in natural resources and agriculture
Entry Requirements
Admission to the Agricultural Economics and Management – Master’s programme requires a first-cycle qualification comprising 180 credits and including:
studies comprising 90 credits within business administration and 15 credits microeconomics for specialisation business administration or
studies comprising 90 credits within economics for specialisation economics
The qualification must also include at least 5 credits of mathematics and 5 credits of statistics; or 15 credits of statistics.
Two specialisations are available on this programme, and the constituent courses have different specific entry requirements. The specialization business administration requires a specialization in that subject at first-cycle level. The specialisation economics requires a specialization in that subject at first-cycle level.
Applicants with the equivalent qualifications obtained by means of a degree from another country, or with the equivalent knowledge obtained in some other way, may also be regarded as fulfilling the specific entry requirements.
This programme is taught in English. The applicant must further have a level of English equivalent to upper secondary school English, called English 6. An applicant with a first-cycle qualification from SLU comprising 180 credits automatically fulfils this requirement. Special rules apply for applicants with qualifications from one of the Nordic countries and some English-speaking countries.
Specific requirements apply for admission to the individual courses included in the programme.
Content
Programme description
Students on the Master’s programme Agricultural Economics and Management are studying to become experts in the applied field of agricultural economics or management. They do so by accumulating theoretical and methodological tools in order to apply them on contemporary problems within the agricultural sector. The programme prepares the students for further studies, but also for positions within the agricultural sector.
Courses in the programme
Main fields of study FÖ=Business administration, NA=Economics, LB=Agricultural science, MX=Environmental science
Course Main field of study/specialisation
Specialisation: Business administration
Year 1
Leadership and entreprenurship in sustainable development 15 cr, FÖ, A1N
Production Economics 15 cr, FÖ/NA, A1N
Research Methods for Business Studies 7,5 cr, FÖ, A1N
Agricultural Cooperatives 7,5 cr, FÖ, A1N
Value Chains and Networks in the Bio-economy 15 cr, FÖ, A1N
Year 2
Corporate finance 15 cr, FÖ/NA, A1N
Sustainable marketing in the biobased sector 15 cr, FÖ, A1N
Agricultural Economics, Policy and trade, 7,5 cr, NA G1F
Experimental Methods for Economics and Business Studies 7,5 cr, NA/FÖ, A1N
Master thesis in Business Administration, A2E, 30 cr, FÖ, A2E
Specialisation: Economics
Year 1
Microeconomic Theory 7,5 cr, NA, A1N
Analytical Methods 7,5 cr, NA, A1N
Production Economics 15 cr, FÖ/NA, A1N
Econometric Theory 7,5 cr, NA, A1N
Applied Econometrics 7,5 cr, NA, A1N
Environmental Policy 7,5 hp MX/NA A1N
Policy for food system sustainability 7,5 cr, NA, A1F
Analysis of productivity and efficiency of food system firms, 7,5 cr, NA A1N
Year 2
Corporate Finance 15 cr, FÖ/NA, A1N
Cost Benefit Analysis of Agricultural and Environmental Projects 7,5 cr, NA/MX, A1N
Management of Biological Resources 7,5 cr, NA/MX, A1N
Economic Growth and Sustainable Development 7,5 cr, NA, A1F
Experimental methods for economics and business studies 7,5 cr, NA/FÖ, A1N
Topics in agricultural economics for sustainable development 7,5 cr, NA, A1F
Master thesis in Economics, A2E, 30 cr, NA, A2E
The courses offered may change during the course of the programme. Decisions on the courses offered are taken well in advance of the next academic year.
For each course, there is a course syllabus providing more detailed course information. Information on when courses are offered is available on the SLU student web.
Objectives
General objectives
The general objectives for first- and second-cycle courses and programmes are specified in the Swedish Higher Education Act (Chapter 1, Sections 8–9).
Objectives for a Degree
In accordance with the annex to the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, for a degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall:
Knowledge and understanding
demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.
Competence and skills
demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.
Judgement and approach
demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.
Qualification Requirements
Degree awarded on completion of the programme
Upon completion of the programme, the degree of Master of Science is awarded. Other general qualifications may be awarded, provided that the requirements for them are fulfilled. More information can be found in SLU´s degree regulations.
Students who fulfil the qualification requirements for a degree will be issued a degree certificate upon request. The degree certificate will specify the qualification as Degree of Master of Science in Business and Economics (120 credits) with a Major in Business Administration or with a Major in Economics.
Degree requirements
A degree of Master of Science in business and economics (120 credits) with a major in business administration is awarded to students who fulfil the course requirements (courses with a Pass grade) of 120 credits, of which at least 90 credits at second-cycle level, according to the following:
at least 30 credits of courses with specialised study in the main field business administration (A1N; A1F),
at least 30 credits from an independent project (degree project) in the main field business administration (A2E).
In addition, the student must hold a degree of Bachelor or professional qualification of at least 180 credits or an equivalent qualification.
A degree of Master of Science in business and economics (120 credits) with a major in economics is awarded to students who fulfil the course requirements (courses with a Pass grade) of 120 credits, of which at least 90 credits at second-cycle level, according to the following:
at least 30 credits of courses with specialised study in the main field economics (A1N; A1F),
at least 30 credits from an independent project (degree project) in the main field economics (A2E).
In addition, the student must hold a degree of Bachelor or professional qualification of at least 180 credits or an equivalent qualification.
OtherInformation
General regulations for first- and second-cycle courses and programmes
For more information on semester dates, examination and credit transfer, see the Regulations for education at Bachelor´s and Master´s level available on the SLU student web.
Possibilities for further studies
Students who complete the programme and are awarded a degree of Master have the option to continue their studies at doctoral level.
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Agricultural Economics and Management
Watch Abenezer Zeleke talk about what it's like to be a student in the Agricultural Economics & Management master's program.
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