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Master's degree (2 years)
Full time
Agroecology

Become an agroecologist through action education!

Are you concerned with the sustainability of farming and food systems? 
Then the MSc Agroecology at NMBU is something for you!

Agroecology is the study of whole farms and food systems and how to make them more sustainable.

Apply here

Application deadline:

April 15th
International applicants:
December 1st

Start of Studies:

Autumn

Requirements:

Bachelor degree or equivalent qualification in agriculture, horticulture, economics, natural resources, biology, food science, nutrition, engineering, rural sociology, or other field related to agricultural production or the food sector.

  • Requirements in detail

    Applicants must hold a Bachelor degree or equivalent qualification in agriculture, horticulture, economics, natural resources, biology, food science, nutrition, engineering, rural sociology, or other field related to agricultural production or the food sector.

    The following compulsory requirements must be in place for the application to be considered:

    • A motivation letter specifically aimed at the program
    • A weighted, average grade of minimum C (from the Bachelor's degree) is required at NMBU to be qualified for applying to Master's degrees
    • English language ability in accordance with the NMBU regulations
Agroøkologistudenter i felt
Agroøkologistudenter i samtale med bønder
Agroøkologistudenter i gruppearbeid
Agroøkologistudenter og felles måltid

The MSc Agroecology programme has a holistic, transdisciplinary and action-oriented approach to current challenges in farming and food systems. Students’ learning and personal growth are grounded in the exploration of real-life farm and food system cases, supported by lectures, seminars and personalised supervision.

The programme’s aim is to foster competences for responsible action through real-world involvement and reflection.

Learning and personal development most effectively occur in surroundings relevant to the subject matter. This is why we actively work with farmers and other stakeholders in the food system, integrating theory to inform and reflect on this work.

The programme prepares students for diverse roles in agriculture and food systems, including advisory services, development initiatives, environmental conservation, and careers in education and research.
 

The first semester (30 ECTS) has an action learning approach (PAE302 - Agroecology: Action Learning in Farming and Food Systems). This means that: 

  • learning starts from participating in (relevant) activities/work
  • field experiences are linked to relevant theory introduced as needed 
  • the acquisition of knowledge and the personal development towards a competent agroecologist take place through systematic reflection on experiences and theory.

The action takes place in a transdisciplinary, participatory, project work in real-life farming and food systems cases. In groups of 4–6, the students work with various stakeholders to observe, describe, analyse and redesign the cases, and plan informed action with the aim of improving overall sustainability.

The learning is supported by systematic reflection in class, in student groups and individually on: 

  • the contents of the case (structure, function, sustainability), 
  • the methodology for dealing with it,
  • one’s own learning, competence development and transformation to an agroecologist.
     

 

NMBU - single degree option.

In the second semester, the single degree students have the obligatory course PAE306 - Agroecology: Action oriented research  and 20 ECTS of elective courses, which may include an Internship of 5, 10 or 15 ECTS. The third semester entirely consists of electives. It is also possible to go on student exchange in the second and/or the third semester. More information about NMBU’s exchange agreements can be found here:

With the NMBU single degree, students may do a 30 or 60 credit master’s thesis. More information about the thesis will be given in the course PAE306 in the second semester, when you develop your master’s thesis proposal.

 

Download detailed study plan for class 2025

 

European Master of Agroecology- double degree option in collaboration with France Agro

Both the single degree option and the double degree option start with the first semester at NMBU where all students do the course PAE302 - Agroecology: Action learning in farming and food systems. For the second semester, the double degree students can stay for one more semester at NMBU or they can go on an exchange through ISARAs student exchange agreements. For the third semester double degree student are at ISARAn taking classes. And in their final semester they complete a 30 ECTS master thesis.

Please see the MSc Agroecology website for more information on the double degree programme, structure and application process.

 

Career opportunities

The programme prepares students for a wide range of positions concerning conventional and organic agriculture and food systems, such as in advisory services and extension, development projects, management of agricultural and natural resources, environmental protection, and further education and research.

 

Graduate careers:

 

  • Learning outcomes

    A candidate who has completed the programme is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes, defined as knowledge, skills and competence:

    Knowledge:

    • Describes and analyzes structure and function of conventional and alternative farming and food systems.
    • Maps and analyzes different dimensions of complex farming and food system in case studies.
    • Demonstrates thorough knowledge of systemic methods of analysis of farming and food systems.

    Skills:

    • Applies holistic methods for systems analysis and improvement on issues related to sustainable development of farming and food system, based on a participatory action research approach.
    • Carries out interdisciplinary analyses of farming and food systems and evaluates solutions related to sustainability in collaboration with colleagues from other academic fields.
    • Analyzes existing theories, methods and interpretations within agroecology.
    • Compares different interpretations and methodologies within the field of agroecology.
    • Describes the role of agroecology in relation to sustainable farming in food systems in Norway and globally.
    • Reads scientific articles.
    • Accesses multiple sources of information and uses these critically and creatively in analysis of issues related to the development of farming and food systems.
    • Carries out systems oriented action research and reflection in collaboration with academics and stakeholders in farming and food systems.
    • Maps and analyzes conflicting goals and values in relation to sustainable farming and food systems in the interplay between economic, social and ecological factors.
    • Identifies and explains ethical issues related to stakeholder involvement in research and development (action research).
    • Contributes to sustainable development of farming and food system through action research including visioning, rich picturing and action planning.

    Competence:

    Directs one`s own learning by:

    • Exploring and defining learning goals and needs
    • Making a strategy for how to achieve this
    • Continuous reflection on one`s own learning process and reframing of one`s own goals and actions.
    • Works independently on practical and theoretical problems, including the linkages between the two.
    • Applies knowledge and skills in new and complex situations in order to carry out advanced assignments and projects.
    • Communicates and collaborates in academic work in an international and multi-cultural class context and also involving diverse stakeholders in an extra-university context.
    • Carries out an independent, limited research or development project under supervision and in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics in collaboration with stakeholders in farming and food systems.
    • Communicates the master`s thesis work using the language and terminology of agroecology, both orally and in writing.
    • Communicates about academic issues, analyses and conclusions in the field, both with specialists and the general public.
    • Contributes to strategic development related to the complex development of farming and food systems.
    • Takes responsibility for contributing professionally in a work or study environment.
    • Reviews the strategic performance of teams when collaborating with stakeholders in farming and food systems.
  • Exchange possibilities
    There are good opportunities for students to study abroad within the normal time frame of the programme. The second and third semester of the programme can be completed in Norway or another country. NOVA and Erasmus offer courses that may be integrated into the elective part of the programme in the second and third semester. The most important cooperating universities are in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Germany, France, Netherlands and the USA.
  • Program structure

    The program consists of the following parts: Core courses in agroecology emphasising farming and food systems (PAE302, 30 credits), and PAE306 - Agroecology: Action oriented research (10 credits). Five credits at 100 level in foreign language is accepted in the degree for students at the M-AE program `European master`. The master`s thesis is normally at 30 credits, alternatively 60 credits

  • More about the program
    • Learning activities
      The programme starts with a semester introducing students to the structures and functions of farming and food systems, methodology for describing, analysing and improving such systems, and individual and group-based learning. The didactic approach is experiential learning supported by lectures, seminars and supervision related to project work on real-life cases. The instruction methods in later semesters depend on which courses are chosen.
    • Examination
      The evaluation of students` learning is treated as an integral part of the learning process. Evaluation emphasises the student`s` ability to develop action competence by linking theory and practice. In the first semester, this is evaluated on the basis of written group and individual assignments, the student`s` contribution to the class and oral exams. Evaluation in later semesters depends on the courses chosen.

Study advisor(s):

Cathrine Strømø

Cathrine Strømø

Senior Advisor

Nina Rosita Hansen

Senior Executive Officer