1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
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  3. MSc in Life Sciences – Agricultural Science
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MSc in Life Sciences – Agricultural Science

Over one billion people work in agriculture today, and the challenges facing them have never been greater.

They must meet growing demand for agricultural products on less land and with less water, all while managing social, economic and climate-related issues. There is a great need for well-educated experts and innovative solutions in this exciting field. Our MSc in Agricultural Science equips you with the knowledge and skills you will need.

You can study full- or part-time and combine your master’s thesis with your regular job.

For competent specialists in the agricultural sector: with the Master's in Agricultural Science at BFH, you will deepen your knowledge in a subject area of your choice and expand your methodological and leadership skills.

Registration has closed for studies starting in autumn 2025, but some late applications may be accepted. If this has sparked your interest, please contact studadmin.msc.hafl@bfh.ch


 

Factsheet

  • Title/Degree MSc in Life Sciences – Agricultural Science
  • Specialisations Majors: Value Chains and Rural Development; Sustainable Production Systems
  • Mode of study Full-time (3-5 semesters), Part-time (4-8 semesters).
    More than half of our students study part-time.
  • Start date Spring: calendar week 7
    Autumn: calendar week 38 (AF-03 calendar week 36)
  • Application deadline Programme start autumn: 30 April
    Programme start spring: 30 September
    Later registrations will be considered up to 30 June or 30 November at the latest, subject to availability of places.
    Deadline for people who need a visa: 30 April or 30 September.
  • ECTS credits 90 ECTS credits
  • Teaching language English
  • Location Zollikofen and Bern
  • School School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL
  • Next info event Please see below

Contact


Do you have questions about the Master's degree program in Agricultural Science? Take part in the information event.

Study focus

During the MSc programme in Agricultural Science, you will gain comprehensive knowledge and become a top specialist in your selected area of special expertise. You will develop the ability to delve quickly and independently into unfamiliar areas, then implement your new knowledge in practice.

What you gain with this program

MSc in Life Sciences degree programme – Agricultural Science

  • qualifies you for work as a well-rounded specialist: you will delve into your chosen area of special expertise while studying a broad variety of methodological approaches and topics.

  • expands your network: whether in class, internships or your thesis work, you will interact with a host of players in the agricultural industry.

  • is practice-based: your presentations and case studies will be based on real-life practical examples, and your master’s thesis will take a hands-on approach.

  • prepares you for future leadership roles in the Swiss agricultural industry: in addition to comprehensive knowledge of specialist topics and methods, you will also hone your communication and leadership skills.

  • opens the door to the international job market: you may complete your master’s thesis abroad or in cooperation with an international organisation.

  • allows you full flexibility: you can study full- or part-time and combine your master’s thesis with your regular job.

Majors

You will choose one of three majors, depending on your previous education, interests and personal career plans, allowing you to develop your individual expertise. You can combine the thesis, the modules and, if necessary, an exchange semester exactly according to your interests.

Madeleine Kaufmann has a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, specialising in International. Afterwards, she did a master’s degree, with a major in Sustainable Production Systems. In the video she talks about what she did in Mozambique, Cuba and Benin and why she recommends studying at BFH-HAFL.

Selected Master's theses

In this major, you may focus on value chains or on rural development or combine the two.

Core topics are:

  • product quality and safety, quality management
  • logistics and supply chain management
  • strategic market positioning
  • analysis of the political and institutional environment
  • economic and trade models
  • international trade relations
  • investment analysis and planning
  • rural infrastructure and organisational development
  • rural development in practice
  • success factors for development and innovation
  • multifunctionality in agriculture
  • research design and statistical analysis

This major focuses on applied research in sustainable agricultural production systems in Switzerland and abroad.

You will study production systems in both fields and barns, deepening your scientific knowledge and exploring the following topics:

  • production engineering analysis and optimisation of production systems
  • assessment and improvement of sustainability
  • production technology
  • agronomic and ecological research relevant to the industry
  • innovation combining ecological responsibility and profitability
  • management of natural resources and climate change
  • research design and statistical analysis

Career prospects

Upon completing this programme, you will have acquired the skills that employers demand for management positions in agricultural industries: practical specialists who can work scientifically and manage complex, multidisciplinary projects competently.

Ready for challenging specialist and management tasks?

An MSc in Agricultural Science prepares you for leadership roles domestically and abroad, in companies, associations, NGOs, administrative seats or in applied research, whether in the public or private sector.

Major in ‘Value Chains and Rural Development’

This major equips you with the skills you need for leadership roles in small, middle-sized and large companies in agricultural value chains. You will also be able to take on project leadership positions in rural development. Your training will enable you to base decisions on scientific reasoning.

Major in ‘Sustainable Production Systems’

You will gain the knowledge and skills you need for demanding leadership responsibilities, examining topics surrounding agricultural production technologies, industry-wide sustainability measures and methods for improvement and the intersection of various ecological aspects. You will be ready to develop and optimise workable solutions. 

Content and structure

The modular structure of the Agricultural Sciences degree program can be adapted to suit your interests and circumstances. You can choose between full-time or part-time study.

Full-time or part-time

Full-time study takes three semesters. If you study part-time, you should ideally complete your studies after six to eight semesters. You study part-time together with regular students, but attend fewer modules per semester. As the timetable is different every quarter, this requires flexibility on the part of your employer or family.

Programme structure

You will take interdisciplinary foundation modules such as Innovation and Project Management. These core-competence modules are offered to all students on all MSc in Life Sciences programmes. You will also take modules focussing on key skills in agricultural science. From a range of specialisation-specific modules, you choose those modules that will best help you to hone your specialist knowledge and develop your interests in current and exciting subject areas.

At the heart of your studies will be your master’s thesis. The master’s thesis is generally embedded within a BFH-HAFL project, but may also be conducted with an external partner, such as your employer.

 Master’s thesis – the core of your studies     30 credits
 Specialisation modules  min. 30 credits
 Cluster-specific modules (Environment Cluster)  min. 9 credits
 Core-competence modules (Data and Business Management)  min. 12 credits

 

Yearly Schedule (PDF, 232 KB)

Modules

Study plan for all the students who started before the autumn semester 2023 (PDF, 68 KB)
Effective from 1 August 2025
Code   Module title   ECTS
    Major-specific modules – compulsory    
AF-11   Logistics, Supply Chain and Network Management   5
AF-12   Consumer Behavior, Markets and Trade   5
AF-13   Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Business   5
AF-32   Policies and Institutions as Drivers for Development and Innovation   5
AF-33   Rural and Regional Development in Practice   5
    Minimum required   15
    Generic specialization modules – compulsory optional    
AF-01   Applied Research in Natural and Social Sciences   5
AF-02   Knowledge Management and Sharing in Agriculture and Forestry   5
AF-03   Integrated Natural Resources Management   5
    Minimum required   5
    Further specialization modules – compulsory optional    
AF-21   Expansion of Personal Scientific Knowledge   5
AF-22   Holistic Assessment of Production Systems   5
AF-23   Optimisation of Production Systems in Agriculture and Forestry   5
AF-24   Advances in Agricultural and Forest Sciences   5
AF-25   Current Topics in Applied Agricultural and Forest Research   5
AF-41   International Forestry   5
AF-51   Agricultural and Forest Production in Mountain Areas    → Module video   5
AF-52   Natural Hazards and Risk Management    → Module video   5
AF-53   Analysis of Spatial Data – GIS    → Module video   5
AF-54   Climate Change and Land Systems   5
AF-55   Regional Management, Tourism and Parks   5
AF-56   Landscape development and planning    → Module video   5
    Cluster-specific modules – compulsory optional    
E1  

Journal Club Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences

   3
E2  

Life Cycle Assessment

   3
E3  

Sustainable Natural Resource Management   

   3
E4  

Ecological Infrastructure in Landscapes

   3
E5  

Biodiversity

   3
E6  

Water Management for Households, Industry and Agriculture

   3
F4   Sustainable Food Supply Chains   3
F5   Advanced Sensory Techniques   3
    Minimum required   9
    Core competence modules – compulsory optional    
B1  

Business Administration for Life Sciences

   3
B2  

Management and Leadership for Life Sciences

   3
B3  

Innovation and Project Management

   3
B4  

Politics and Society

   3
D1*  

Handling and Visualising Data

   3
D2*  

Design and Analysis of Experiments

   3
D3*  

Modelling and Exploration of Multivariate Data

   3
D4   Data and Ethics   3
    Minimum required
* One of the modules D1, D2 or D3 must be successfully passed		   12
All areas   Minimum required (has to be completed by taking additional modules from the five compulsory optional areas)   60
Thesis   Required from master’s thesis   30
Total   Minimum required   90
         
    Bridging Module (not recognised for graduation)    
AF-00   Agriculture in Switzerland   4
Study plan for all the students who started before the autumn semester 2023 (PDF, 69 KB)
Effective from 1 August 2025
 Code   Module title   ECTS
    Major-specific modules – compulsory    
AF-21   Expansion of Personal Scientific Knowledge   5
AF-22   Holistic Assessment of Production Systems   5
AF-23   Optimisation of Production Systems in Agriculture and Forestry   5
    Minimum required   15
    Generic specialization modules – compulsory optional     
AF-01   Applied Research in Natural and Social Sciences   5
AF-02   Knowledge Management and Sharing in Agriculture and Forestry   5
AF-03   Integrated Natural Resources Management   5
    Minimum required   5
    Further specialization modules – compulsory optional    
AF-11   Logistics, Supply Chain and Network Management   5
AF-12   Consumer Behavior, Markets and Trade   5
AF-13   Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Business   5
AF-32   Policies and Institutions as Drivers for Development and Innovation   5
AF-33   Rural and Regional Development in Practice   5
AF-24   Advances in Agricultural and Forest Sciences   5
AF-25   Current Topics in Applied Agricultural Research   5
AF-41   International Forestry   5
AF-51   Agricultural and Forest Production in Mountain Areas    → Module video   5
AF-52   Natural Hazards and Risk Management    → Module video   5
AF-53   Analysis of Spatial Data – GIS    → Module video   5
AF-54   Climate Change and Land Systems   5
AF-55   Regional Management, Tourism and Parks   5
AF-56   Landscape development and planning    → Module video   5
    Cluster-specific modules – compulsory optional    
E1  

Journal Club Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences

   3
E2  

Life Cycle Assessment

   3
E3  

Sustainable Natural Resource Management   

   3
E4  

Ecological Infrastructure in Landscapes

   3
E5  

Biodiversity

   3
E6  

Water Management for Households, Industry and Agriculture

   3
F4   Sustainable Food Supply Chains   3
F5   Advanced Sensory Techniques   3
    Minimum required   9
    Core competence modules – compulsory optional    
B1  

Business Administration for Life Sciences

   3
B2  

Management and Leadership for Life Sciences

   3
B3  

Innovation and Project Management

   3
B4  

Politics and Society

   3
D1*  

Handling and Visualising Data

   3
D2*  

Design and Analysis of Experiments

   3
D3*  

Modelling and Exploration of Multivariate Data

   3
D4   Data and Ethics   3
    Minimum required
* One of the modules D1, D2 or D3 must be successfully passed		   12
All areas   Minimum required (has to be completed by taking additional modules from the four compulsory optional areas)   60
Thesis   Required from master’s thesis    30
Total   Minimum required   90
         
    Bridging Module (not recognised for graduation)    
AF-00   Agriculture in Switzerland   4

Eligibility + Entry

To be eligible to apply for the MSc in Agricultural Science programme, you must have a bachelor’s degree in a related field and be proficient in English.

You will be accepted to the Agricultural Science programme at BFH-HAFL immediately if you hold a bachelor’s degree from a Swiss university of applied sciences in one of the following fields of study, graduated with a grade of at least 5 or an ECTS grade of A or B, and at least half a year of work experience in an area approved by BFH-HAFL:

  • Agriculture 
  • Oenology
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Natural Resource Management
  • Landscape Architecture 
  • Forest Science
  • Geography
  • Environmental and Resource Management

Do you have a degree in a different discipline? Was your final grade lower than a 5? Did you earn your degree in a different country? If so, you must pass an aptitude assessment.

Are you passionate about agriculture, but don’t have the required practical experience to start your master’s degree at BFH-HAFL? No worries! You can do a six-month work placement on a farm.

Information Preliminary Work Placement Programme

  • Preparatory courses

Preliminary work placement programme – MSc in Life Sciences in Agricultural Science

You’re passionate about agriculture, but don’t have the required practical experience to start your master’s degree at BFH-HAFL? No worries! You can do a six-month work placement on a farm.

Supplementary information

This Agricultural Science programme is taught in English. We recommend at least level B2 of the European Language Portfolio. However, you can also write your Master's thesis in English, German or French.

We review each international application individually. Please send questions to msc-as.hafl@bfh.ch before submitting your official application.

Outgoing Mobility

You can spend an exchange semester at one of our partner universities during your Master's programme. Inform us at an early stage if you are planning a study exchange. We are happy to advise and support you.

Incoming Mobility

Would you like to spend an exchange semester or year at BFH-HAFL in Switzerland? If your home university is on our list of partner universities, please contact your International Office. If not, they should contact us.

  • Application deadline
    For the autumn semester: 15 April
    For the spring semester: 15 October
  • Language
    The Master’s programme is taught in English.
  • Accommodation
    There is a hostel for students on the BFH-HAFL campus. However, the demand for rooms is much higher than the availability.

Application process

The cost of study includes tuition and examination fees, as well as costs for teaching materials and excursions.

Costs

At BFH, different fees apply for programmes and examinations.

Application (per application)*

CHF 100

Matriculation**

CHF 100

Tuition fees (per semester)

CHF 750

Tuition fees for international students*** (per semester)

CHF 950

Examination fee (per semester)

CHF 80

Fee for social, cultural and sport offerings (per semester)

CHF 24

Membership fee for the Bern University of Applied Sciences Student Association (VSBFH) (per semester)

CHF 15

* plus CHF 10 processing fee if paying by paying-in slip/paper invoice.
** If the application leads to matriculation, the matriculation fee is covered by the application fee.
*** International students are defined as persons of foreign citizenship who at the time of obtaining their university entrance qualification were domiciled under civil law neither in Switzerland nor the Principality of Liechtenstein. This rule applies as of the 2018/19 autumn semester.

Grants, loans and other funding options

Financial aid is available through grants and loans. Grants are one-off or ongoing payments that don’t usually have to be paid back provided you complete your course. Loans are one-off or ongoing payments that must be paid back after you finish your course.

Cantonal grants

Grants and loans for Swiss students and overseas students are generally paid out by the canton where the students’ parents are tax residents.

Students who have been tax residents in the Canton of Bern for at least two years are able to apply for cantonal grants and loans. Applications should be submitted to the Financial Aid Office at the Department of Education.

Further information (incl. financial aid calculator):

The websites educaswiss.ch, stipendium.ch and European Funding Guide cover all the key information about grants in Switzerland and overseas.

Foundations and funds

There are also numerous private foundations and funds that offer financial support to students. The electronic foundation directory administered by the Federal Department of Home Affairs offers a comprehensive summary of these organisations and can be searched by keywords (e.g. student, research, financial aid, etc.). Other sources of funding include the foundation directories for individual cantons and private foundations.

The following foundations offer funding specifically to BFH students and students from other universities:

Further information

Studying in Switzerland

Register to study

Be sure to secure your place on the Agricultural Science programme at HAFL early! Missing documents can be submitted later.

Start your studies

Registration has closed for studies starting in autumn 2025, but some late applications may be accepted. If this has sparked your interest, please contact studadmin.msc.hafl@bfh.ch

Documents needed for the application

Prepare the following documents as PDF or JPG:

The following are mandatory

  • ID or passport
  • A passport photo compliant with international passport standards

Other documents (certificates, etc.)

  • Diplomas and final certificates (e.g. vocational/technical baccalaureate certificate with grades, secondary school leaving certificate, Abitur)
  • Federal Certificate of Competence EFZ with grades
  • Work and/or internship references
  • tabular CV
  • Depending on your previous education, additional documents must also be submitted.

Advisory service

Choosing an education program is an important decision when planning your professional career. During an individual consultation, we will be happy to answer your questions and clarify your personal requirements for the Master's program in Agricultural Science.

General contact

Head of specialization

Prof. Dr. Fabio Mascher

  • Dozent für Pflanzenschutz
  • +41 31 848 60 69
  • Show e-mail

Coordination

Ramona Lerch

  • Studiengangsassistentin
  • +41 31 848 65 66
  • Show e-mail

Information Events

At our information events, you will find out everything you need to know about the degree programme, admission requirements and your career prospects.

Personal taster day

Location + Facilities

The BFH-HAFL campus is located in Zollikofen, near Bern. Nestled among fields and forests, the location offers both the modern infrastructure you need for your studies and countless recreational options.

Location

BFH-HAFL

Hochschule für Agrar-, Forst- und Lebensmittelwissenschaften BFH-HAFL
Länggasse 85
3052 Zollikofen

Infrastructure

The BFH-HAFL campus in Zollikofen offers modern lecture halls, laboratories and experimental fields.

But the campus is not just a place to study. With a swimming pool, barbecue areas, a sauna and much more, it also offers a wide range of leisure activities. There is also a student residence with around 140 furnished rooms and a canteen on the campus.