MSc Study Program on Agricultural and Food Economics (AFECO)
Will we be able to feed the world in 2050? How do farmers handle the economic challenges and opportunities of globalized world markets? How do producers and processors react to the consumers’ permanently increasing requirements for food safety and sustainability? How can natural resources be preserved by a competition-oriented and sustainable agrifood sector?
Agricultural economics provides answers to these and other questions. Key global challenges such as a growing global population, increasing land use conflicts, or climate change will continue to demand this type of expertise in the future. The international Master study program „Agricultural and Food Economics“ (AFECO) provides you with the necessary knowledge and skills to answer this demand. The program will qualify you for leadership activities in the private sector, public administrations and research institutes. Find out more about our study program, the career prospects of our graduates and experiences of our alumni on this website.
Application deadline
The Master AFECO Application deadlines are:
For a start in the winter semester (i.e. October, strongly recommended), July 15th of the same year (or February 15th for early applications, recommended e.g. for international students).
For a start in the summer semester (i.e. April), January 15th of the same year (or September 15th of the previous year for early applications, recommended e.g. for international students).
Our four Majors
These are the four majors offered in the international Master study program „Agricultural and Food Economics“ (AFECO):
- Agribusiness
- Resource and Environmental Economics
- Market and Consumer Research
- Agricultural and Development Policy
To educate the next generation of decision-makers who will help steering our society on the transition toward a sustainable global bioeconomy.
To that effect, our program equips students with state-of-the-art theoretical, methodological and sectoral knowledge and skills. We encourage holistic thinking in a systemic perspective, from farmer to consumer and from local to global scale.
Our diverse teaching formats encourage the development of problem-solving skills needed for individual and team-oriented positions in management and research. We support individual profiling, not least by offering the possibility to major in the fields of Agribusiness (ABS), Resource and Environmental Economics (ENV), Market and Consumer Research (MAC), or Agricultural and Development Policy (APO). Our international study program is taught entirely in English and reflects the diversity of potential employers in agribusiness, the food industry, NGOs, public authorities as well as public and private research institutes. The agri-food sector is characterized by globalization and international trade relations, and the interdisciplinary and intercultural skills that students develop through their Master program in order to further contribute to their successful professional careers.
AFECO Newsletter
This is a student-run newsletter, and we would love to get your input. We will be happy to hear from you if you want to contribute with information or share experiences.
Dr. Nicolas Gerber
Institute for Food and Resource Economics (ILR)
University of Bonn
Nußallee 19
E-Mail: afeco@ilr.uni-bonn.de
Phone: +49 228 73-3036
Office hours:
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9.30 – 11.30
Appointment by e-mail: ngerber@uni-bonn.de
BOWACO
The Double-Degree Program "BOWACO" („one study program – two degrees“) with the University of Wageningen/NL. Students participating in this program will study the first year at the University Bonn and in the second year at the University of Wageningen.
AFEPA
The European Master’s programme in Agricultural, Food and Environmental Policy Analysis (AFEPA) is jointly organised by four European main partner universities and four associated partners. The programme is policy oriented, focused on economic analysis, but with a strong multidisciplinary component.