International Programmes 2023/2024

Master of Science in Dairy Science Master of Science in Dairy Science

Kiel University • Kiel

Degree
Master of Science (MSc) in Dairy Science
Teaching language
  • English
Languages

Compulsory courses are held in English (100%). Elective courses can be chosen out of a catalogue of courses held in English. Alternatively, participants can also add elective courses in German language to their curriculum. The Master's thesis is written in the English language.

Full-time / part-time
  • full-time
Programme duration
4 semesters
Beginning
Winter semester
Application deadline

Applications must be submitted in February (presumably until beginning/mid of March) for the following winter semester. Please have a look at our website for detailed information on the final application deadline: https://www.agrar.uni-kiel.de/en/studies/study-programmes/seiten-dairy-science/application-procedure-and-admission.

Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
No
Joint degree / double degree programme
No
Description/content

The Master's programme "Dairy Science" focuses on the interdisciplinary aspects of on-farm milk production, dairy economics, and the quality and processing of dairy food and products. The study programme imparts the most current scientific knowledge in dairy production, including breeding, feed production, animal nutrition, animal welfare and health, milking technology, eco-efficiency, economics, and processing and quality of dairy products, and it conveys methodological skills to teach students to work scientifically and systematically. Students will strengthen their competences in the field of dairy science and acquire skills in analytical understanding of the entire dairy production process chain.

The Dairy Science study programme will encompass an international Master's degree. It is intended for students who hold a Bachelor's degree in agriculture or in a related field and have an interest in a consecutive, multidisciplinary qualification with focus on milk production. The programme includes relevant topics from several disciplines of the Faculty of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences such as animal science, food production, and economics. Classes will be held in English and are open for students from all over the world.

Course organisation

The study programme comprises nine compulsory modules during the first year of studies, six compulsory elective modules during the first and second year of studies, and a Master's thesis during the final year. The standard period of study is four semesters. Courses encompass lectures, seminars, practical exercises, and field exercises.
The following compulsory modules must be attended, preferably at the first year of studies:

  • dsAEF002 Eco-Efficiency of Dairy Systems (lecture, seminar, and practical exercise)
  • dsAEF003 Health Management in Dairy Herds (seminar and field exercise)
  • AEF-ds004 Dairy Processing and Quality (lecture)
  • dsAEF005 Dairy Cattle Breeding (lecture and seminar)
  • dsAEF006 Forage Quality and Conservation (lecture, seminar, and field exercise)
  • dsAEF007 Machine Milking (lecture, seminar, practical exercise, and field exercise)
  • dsAEF008 Animal Behaviour and Welfare (lecture, seminar, and field exercise)
  • dsAEF009 Ruminant Nutrition (lecture)
  • dsAEF010 Biometrical Planning and Inference (lecture and practical exercise)

Compulsory elective modules can be chosen during the first and second years of studies. We recommend to attend one of the following subjects in your first semester.

  • agrarAEF897 Dairy Economics: Production and Processing (formerly dsAEF001)
  • agrarAEF810 Precision Livestock Farming
  • AEF-agr836 Grazing Systems for Dairy Cattle in Europe

Further compulsory elective modules are listed in a course catalogue for students in the Dairy Science programme. Note that up to three compulsory elective courses can be chosen from the entire course catalogue of the faculty and/or the university.

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A Diploma supplement will be issued
Yes
Course-specific, integrated German language courses
No
Course-specific, integrated English language courses
No
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Semester contribution

An enrolment fee ("Einschreibgebühr") of 55 EUR is charged for the first enrolment at Kiel University. A semester contribution ("Semesterbeitrag") currently amounting to 277 EUR must be paid each semester at Kiel University. This covers free public transport ("landesweites Semesterticket") for trains and buses in Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg, reduced lunch prices, and other benefits for students.

Costs of living

The monthly costs of living in Germany are currently at least 934 EUR per month. Please note that when applying for a visa (from countries requiring a visa) and also later in Germany when extending a residence permit, financial means in the amount of the living costs for one year (11,208 EUR) must be proven.

More information can be found here: www.international.uni-kiel.de/en/advising-activities-services/service-information/visa.

Funding opportunities within the university
No
Academic admission requirements

A Bachelor's degree (BSc) with a grade "good" (German grading at least 2.5) or higher in agricultural science or equivalent academic and examination achievements in related disciplines with particular relevance to dairy science. The Bachelor's degree will be the basis for your application to this Master's degree programme.

Students with a Bachelor's degree in related disciplines such as Food Science or Dairy Technology must hand in proof of either 30 credit points in farm animal science or equivalent practical or academic experience in this area (such as internships, work experience, research projects) in the past five years.

Language requirements

As all courses are held in English, a good level of English (written and spoken) is mandatory. Students whose first language is not English must provide evidence of proficiency in English. Accepted as proof for language proficiency are the following:

  • IELTS: overall score of 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each of the four components) or
  • TOEFL® ITP (Paper-based test): overall score of 580 with a Test of Written English score of 5.5 or
  • TOEFL® iBT (Internet-based test): overall score of 90 with component scores of at least 20 points or
  • Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): grade A or
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency English (CPE): grade B

Certificates from universities stating that English was the medium of instruction during your study programme will not be accepted as proof for your language proficiency.

Application deadline

Applications must be submitted in February (presumably until beginning/mid of March) for the following winter semester. Please have a look at our website for detailed information on the final application deadline: https://www.agrar.uni-kiel.de/en/studies/study-programmes/seiten-dairy-science/application-procedure-and-admission.

Submit application to

https://my.uni-assist.de/

Accommodation

Please find information on accommodation in Kiel on the following website: www.international.uni-kiel.de/en/advising-activities-services/service-information/accomodation-in-kiel/.

Kiel University

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Kiel University © Marvin Radke - standbildtechniker.de

Kiel University (also referred to as the CAU) was founded in 1665. It is Schleswig-Holstein's oldest, largest and best-known university, with 27,000 students and 3,700 staff members. It is also the only full-fledged university in the state. Seven Nobel Prize winners have worked here. The CAU has been successfully taking part in the Excellence Initiative since 2006.

We use research, teaching and the transfer of science to address the great challenges of our time in health, environmental and cultural change, nutrition and energy. In doing so, we ensure peace and preserve livelihoods for future generations. We use responsible actions to make sure that scientific discoveries are transferred into all sectors of our society by interdisciplinary thought – regardless of short-lived trends – where they are incorporated into political, economic and social decisions aimed at securing peace and prosperity.

When it was founded back in 1665, the CAU had the motto “Pax Optima Rerum: peace is the most valuable asset.” This maxim is as applicable today as it was over 350 years ago. We want to follow this key idea and contribute towards creating a peaceful, fair world in which everyone lives freely and comfortably. We aim to create a world in which treating the environment with respect also enables future generations to enjoy the same benefits.

CAU’s mission:
Our mission is to deliver research and teaching that contribute to peace, prosperity and maintaining a pluralistic, free society as well as address the challenges we are facing. Our strong disciplines carry out this mission. The fulfilment of this mission requires interdisciplinary collaboration and involves transdisciplinary issues. We find solutions to today’s pressing problems and implement these solutions together with stakeholders from society, industry and politics.

Teaching profile:
We are dedicated to research-based teaching and learning. Therefore, the development of new teaching approaches is evolving constantly at the interfaces between research from the different scientific disciplines. Students from all over the world benefit from this: research results are quickly integrated into programme curricula and our academic staff is trained in state-of-the-art teaching methods.

Research profile:
The CAU is Schleswig-Holstein’s only full-fledged university with a major focus on research. Over time, four dynamic priority research areas have systematically developed. These are based on strong disciplines interacting together – Marine Science, Life Science, Societal and Cultural Change, and Nano Surface and Interface Science. Each individual research area makes a substantial contribution towards dealing with at least one of the grand challenges of our time.

Transfer profile:
A university is not an island. It is an entity that impacts on, with and for society in a number of ways, by offering space for new ideas, passing on knowledge and values, and enabling debates about controversial subjects. Universities train specialists, produce innovative products and start-ups, help companies to develop further and assist politics by giving advice and warnings. The CAU encompasses top quality, innovative science, a sense of responsibility and the transfer of knowledge. We advocate for the university’s active role in society and aim to work closely together with the community to be the driving force behind regional, national and international development by looking for and finding pioneering solutions for our most pressing issues. This is the reason why we maintain a variety of active connections with our partners in science, industry, politics and society.

Read more about our profiles.

27,000 Students
3,700 Staff members

University location

The city of Kiel is located directly on the Baltic Sea coast and is the capital of the northernmost German federal state, Schleswig-Holstein. Famous for its sailing tradition, Kiel has hosted two Olympic sailing competitions. The city's annual "Kiel Week" is the world's largest sailing event and one of the biggest cultural festivals in northern Europe. Kiel's international flair is enhanced by its port, where Scandinavian ferries dock next to cruise liners and historic ships. Those who enjoy going out will benefit from the city's lively cultural life as well as the many clubs and bars to be found between the campus and the city centre. Kiel is a strong centre of science and research. Our students benefit from studying by the sea in a city that offers short distances and a wide range of leisure facilities by the waterside. It takes less than 20 minutes to get from the lecture hall to the beach. A fresh breeze on your face and the right books on hand create a great atmosphere for learning. The social conditions for studying in Kiel are excellent. Freshmen receive a welcome payment of 100 EUR when they come to Kiel to commence their undergraduate studies. Here, they have the opportunity to live in one of the many halls of residence, which are reasonably priced and situated close to the universities. In our bicycle-friendly city, not only the universities but also other inner-city locations can be reached conveniently by bike. The new scientific generation represents the most important resource for making Kiel, the state capital, fit for the future.

www.kiel.de.

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