Full-time Master's Degree Programme (2 years)
| About the programme Language: English (See language requirements) | Place of study: Viborg | Commencement: August / September (See if this programme also offers a January/February start for international applicants) | Programme type: Full-time Master's Degree Programme (2 years) |
How can we produce sustainable food for a growing global population, reduce the climate impact of agriculture, and create healthy soil and water environments? Study at AU Viborg, a small campus located 65 km from Aarhus and become part of a highly ranked international academic environment.
The MSc in Plant and Soil Science enables you to address precisely these challenges. The programme provides a deep understanding of the interactions between plants, soil and the environment, equipping you to develop solutions that support more sustainable agricultural production and contribute to the green transition.
On the Plant and Soil Science programme, you will gain specialised knowledge of crop production, the biological, chemical and physical processes that take place in soil, plant breeding, and the development of innovative plant-based solutions. You will explore plant characteristics and production systems, soil-plant interactions, and the relationship between productivity, quality and environmental impact. Through project-based learning, you will develop the ability to apply a broad range of scientific methods to analyse and solve complex challenges rooted in real-world issues related to the green transition.
The MSc programme focuses on three core academic areas:
As an MSc student at AU Viborg, you will become part of an internationally recognised and highly specialised academic environment where research at the highest international level and advanced experimental facilities come together to find practical solutions to complex challenges. You will join a strong international community in which researchers, PhD students, and students from around the world work together to advance the green transition and generate new knowledge and innovative solutions for the future of crop production, soil management, and sustainable food systems.
With an MSc in Plant and Soil Science, you will be well prepared to make a direct contribution to the green transition. For example, you may work as an adviser helping farmers implement new sustainable solutions, develop innovative plant-based products for the industry, or contribute to environmental and sustainability initiatives within local government.
Whatever your interests, a wide range of opportunities awaits you in a job market that needs your expertise and competencies.
In this section you can learn more about the admission requirements relevant to the Master's degree programme in Plant and Soil Science. Depending on your educational background and your qualifications, there are different ways to meet the admission requirements:
This section is relevant for you, if you have:
The two sections listed below are relevant only for students with a Bachelor's degree from a Danish institution:
Below these sections, you can learn more about the English language requirement. You can also find out which ranking criteria we use to assess your application when prioritizing among the submitted applications.
If you have an international educational background, you must meet both the general admission requirement and the specific admission requirements:
You must have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent that is comparable to a Danish Bachelor's degree in both level and duration (180 ECTS).
For more information about how your Bachelor's degree is assessed, please see the national database.
If you meet the general admission requirement, the university will continue on to assess whether or not you meet the specific admission requirements.
You can be admitted to the Master's programme if the university assesses that your education has a level, scope, and content that corresponds to the academic requirements specified below.
| Subject area | Number of ECTS |
| 60 |
The following Bachelor's degree programme(s) from Aarhus University entitles you to an offer of admission to the Master's degree programme in Plant and Soil Science:
Please note that the you must apply for admission to the Master's degree programme witin three years of completing your Bachelor's degree programme.
Learn more about 'Legal right of admission'
Certain Bachelor's degree programmes from Aarhus University and various other Danish Universities have been determined to meet the admission requirements to this Master's degree programme in Plant and Soil Science:
All Master’s degree programmes at Aarhus University have limited intake. This means that you are not guaranteed admission even if you meet the entry requirements. When we prioritize among applicants, we assess your application based on a set of fixed ranking criteria, which you can see below.
If you have a legal right of admission, you are guaranteed a place in the programme and do not need to consider the ranking criteria.
Ranking criteria:
In criterion three, the score is based on the proportion of subjects on the bachelor’s degree diploma that fall within the relevant subject fields. In this assessment, ECTS credits that are a part of the admission requirements described under ‘Other qualifying degrees’ are not included.
Please note that grades achieved after the application deadline are not included in the assessment.
In order to be admitted to this programme you must meet the university's english language requirements.
Students with bachelor's degree from Aarhus University with a so-called 'Legal right of admission' are exempt from the English language requirement.
Unfortuntely, Aarhus University is not able to assess your qualifications beforehand. In order for your qualifications to be assessed you must apply for admission. To learn more, please go to Assessment of your qualifications.
Aarhus University and AU Viborg are among the world’s leading institutions in agricultural science. Key research areas at AU Viborg include plant and livestock production, climate and natural resource management, and bioenergy.
The Plant and Soil Science programme allows you to build on the knowledge and skills acquired during your bachelor's degree and specialise further in the areas that interest you most.
The programme includes lectures, project work, laboratory exercises, and elective courses, culminating in an independent research project for your master's thesis.
During your studies, you will also have the opportunity to participate in an exchange programme at a university abroad.
The academic regulations for Plant and Soil Science will be available in late autumn 2026.
The academic regulations contain further information about the content of the individual courses. You can also find information about the structure of the programme and the requirements you must meet as a student, including examination formats and requirements.
At AU Viborg, you will be part of a vibrant social study environment with excellent opportunities to pursue both your academic and personal interests. AU Viborg’s student associations organise social events as well as professional and academic activities for you to partake in, and the campus offers facilities including an indoor riding arena, a dog association, a fitness room, and a Friday bar.
AU Viborg is a young campus where you will have the opportunity to help shape the social environment. With the city of Viborg is nearby, you will be guaranteed student accommodation, a student house where you can meet up with fellow students, and a rich cultural and community life.
