- Degree
- Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng.)
- Admission restriction
-
Yes
- Contact
- Application period
-
29 April – 31 July 2025
Studying agricultural engineering: smart farming & protecting the environment
Agricultural engineering combines agricultural production with mechanical engineering and electronic systems. Whether agricultural engineering, soil science or crop production, whether production economics or business planning: Our students acquire sound and future-oriented competences, also in the implementation of innovative digital methods of smart farming or precision farming. As sought-after young professionals, they face the economic, business and technical challenges between agricultural engineering, trade and agribusiness.
The production of agricultural raw materials, their processing into food and energy, and the assurance of high product quality are tasks for the future. The growth of agricultural businesses under the pressure of competition requires constant adaptation of production technology. Increasing demands for the protection of natural resources must also be taken into account in agricultural technology. This is not only a challenge for the agricultural technology industry: The technological developments are at the same time changing the field of activity of farmers and require their intensive consultation. This results in a growing need for junior staff with both agricultural and sound agricultural engineering skills.
You can find more videos about the study program in our YouTube channel
Study content Agricultural engineering: from combine harvesters to precision farming
The Agricultural Engineering program provides competencies in the areas of mechanical engineering and electronic systems in an agricultural context. In addition, the training covers all areas of agricultural production, from agricultural engineering, soil science and crop production to production economics and business planning. Two professorships in agricultural machinery technology and agricultural systems technology are dedicated to the program. These are professionally supported by the course offerings of the agricultural science majors. The study program benefits from:
-
Practical relevance through agricultural engineering cooperations.
The Bachelor's degree program in Agricultural Engineering is offered in close cooperation with the agricultural engineering industry. Collaboration with the cooperation partners on project studies as well as bachelor theses and regular meetings ensure that the study contents meet the current requirements of the market.
-
comprehensively equipped teaching facilities & vehicle fleet
The Technical Center for Energy and Agricultural Engineering (agricultural machinery school) in Triesdorf is closely integrated into the study program. Students can make use of the modern agricultural technology teaching workshops, the large machinery fleet and the company's own test areas.
-
Wide range of specialization options
Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University offers students a wide range of elective modules. They can be used for individual competence development, especially in the areas of foreign languages, negotiation, consulting, communication and media use.
Emphasis in the study of agricultural engineering
Starting in the 6th semester, you will choose one of these concentrations based on your interests and career aspirations:
-
Digitalization in agriculture
The courses offered in this focus area specifically integrate the fundamentals of digitization (sensors, data processing, data storage, data transmission, control and regulation) to make you fit for innovations in agricultural technology.
Agricultural applications, for example, use wireless data transmission via the mobile network (telemetry) to query machine data such as settings and error functions in real time. The cloud-based storage and processing of data, as well as the use of satellite data, which is now free of charge, is also being driven forward by our students.
-
Development of agricultural engineering systems
With this focus, you will work through the usual development cycle of agricultural technology innovations in theory and practice. This begins with the collection of requirements from everyday agricultural life, leads to the conception of solution strategies to the constructive design and ends with the implementation in a prototype.
Computer simulation, computer-aided development tools and input on digital innovations are used to create systems and equipment whose functionality must be tested under realistic conditions. You therefore complete the development cycle with practical field tests as part of the project studies.
-
Marketing & Management
If you decide to focus on "Marketing and Management in Agribusiness", you will delve deeper into the areas of corporate strategy, product development, brand management, marketing communication, pricing and sales.
Practical case studies, interactive work in teams and contributions from external persons prepare the agricultural engineering students for concrete challenges in their everyday professional life. Using current tools and methods, you will master different tasks in marketing and management. In addition, you will learn more about the impact of current developments in technology, trends among agribusiness customers and in society, and political framework conditions.
Programme structure of the Bachelor's degree programme in Agricultural Engineering
The Agricultural Engineering degree programme at the University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf balances theoretical and practical content. In addition to specialised knowledge, students acquire additional social and methodological skills to promote personal development as part of an integrated range of courses. Particular emphasis is placed on teamwork in interdisciplinary courses and project work.
-
Preliminary courses in maths, physics and chemistry
Pre-courses in maths, physics and chemistry are offered to make it easier to start studying. School knowledge is refreshed and any gaps can be closed. The courses will take place at the University of Applied Sciences from 16 September 2024 (in calendar weeks 38 and 39). The courses can be taken independently of each other and are free of charge. You must organise your own accommodation during the course.
Placement tests for maths and chemistry, which you can take before registering, will help you decide whether it makes sense for you to take part. However, participation in the preliminary courses is open to everyone. You can find more information in our information channel about the bridge courses. You will need a wbmoodle user account for this, which you can create using your private e-mail address.
If you are asked to log in in the second step, the self-enrolment in the information channel, you can do this by clicking on the button "Login with login name" and using the user account data you have created. When you are asked for the enrolment key - this is: AT
As soon as you are registered in the information channel, the self-assessment tests and (from 1 August 2024) the registration for the preliminary courses can be carried out there. Registrations will be considered as they are received.
Questions regarding the preliminary courses can be addressed to Rainer Hufnagel. Please do not contact the Academic Affairs Office by telephone with any queries regarding the preliminary courses.
- Mathematics
-
The preliminary maths course is offered as a half-day course with 20 lessons. On the other hand, there is another full-day maths pre-course with 40 lessons. The basics of maths are repeated, such as calculating with fractions, powers and logarithms, and working with equations and rational functions is also refreshed.
- Physics
-
The physics course also comprises 20 lessons/practice hours. Here we repeat the most important contents of mechanics, thermodynamics and electricity.
- Chemistry
-
The chemistry course comprises 20 lessons. It covers the basics of chemistry such as atomic structure, chemical bonding, properties of chemical elements and nomenclature.
-
1st semester
Module
ECTS
Design Theory I & Materials Science with Exercises 5 Physical-technical basics 5 Engineering Mathematics & Statistics 5 Scientific & technical basics 5
Fundamentals of economics 5 Fundamentals of Agricultural Engineering 5 -
2nd semester
Module
ECTS
Technologies & methods in the harvesting process 5 Crop cultivation & crop protection 5 Technical Mechanics & Strength of Materials 5 Agricultural Markets 4 Engineering Design II & Exercises 5 Two compulsory elective modules (3 EC each) 6 -
3rd semester
Module
ECTS
Soil Culture & Fertilisation 5 Investment Calculation & Farm Planning 5 Engine & transmission technology, drive technology 5 Hydraulics & Pneumatics 5 Satellite positioning & GIS 5 Compulsory elective module 5 -
4th semester
Module
ECTS
Software Development 5 Accounting & Applied Production Economics 5 Mechatronics 5 Scientific Agricultural Engineering Project 5 Soil cultivation, sowing technology, resource protection 5 Compulsory elective module 5 -
5th semester
Module
ECTS
Practical time 25 Practical course 5 -
6th semester
Module
ECTS
1st core subjects: Design, construction & simulation of assemblies 7 2nd core subjects: Agricultural marketing strategies 7 3rd core subjects: Acquisition and Processing of Sensor Data / Machine Learning 7 Business Organisation & Controlling with project studies 5 Production Engineering & Factory Management 4 Three compulsory elective modules (3 EC each) 9 Compulsory elective module (5 EC) 5 -
7th semester
Module
ECTS
Bachelor thesis 10 1 Core subjects: Virtualisation in development and production, validation and practical testing 10 2nd core subjects: Organisation & Management in Agribusiness 10 3rd core subjects: Programming of control and regulation systems 10 Two compulsory elective modules (5 EC each) 10
Career prospects for students of agricultural engineering
If you complete the agricultural engineering bachelor's degree in Triesdorf, you will be offered a wide range of job opportunities at the interfaces between agricultural engineering, trade and agriculture. Depending on your specialization, you will be qualified for the following areas of work:
-
leading positions in agricultural engineering companies, agricultural contractors & machinery rings, especially in the areas of marketing, sales & logistics
-
technical consulting & sales advice in trade, with end customers or in key account management
-
Collaboration in the development, practical testing & introduction of new agricultural technology offers, especially at the interface between design & application
-
Collaboration in quality management in agricultural engineering companies
-
Special consulting in new technical fields of application, agricultural management systems
-
Management of contractors or machinery rings, organization of inter-farm machinery use & the formation of work chains
-
Management of larger agricultural enterprises or business cooperations
-
Research, qualification & development work in the agricultural machinery industry & in research institutes
-
trade press & public relations
-
Technical testing (e.g. TÜV, DLG, KTBL)
Study of agricultural engineering with in-depth practice
The bachelor's degree program in agricultural engineering is also offered in a dual model as a "study program with in-depth practical experience". Compared to the regular bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering, dual students can gain significantly more practical experience with over 40 weeks of practical training.
To participate in the study program with in-depth practical experience, you apply to a cooperating company in the agricultural engineering industry during your basic studies. From the semester break after the third semester, study and practical phases alternate systematically.
Advantages of studying with in-depth practical experience:
-
very high level of practical experience
-
very good chances of starting a career
-
Immediate competence in the professional field of application
-
continuous remuneration from the beginning of the practical study semester
-
Organization and timing
The study program with in-depth practice corresponds to the regular bachelor's degree program in agricultural engineering in terms of content and timing. Students start their studies on October 1 of the application year. During the course of their undergraduate studies, students interested in the dual program can apply to companies in the agricultural engineering industry. The university provides assistance in this regard.
During the rest of the study period, practical assignments take place in the lecture-free period as well as in the practical semester. Students receive a monthly allowance for the duration of the dual study program. The amount of the remuneration is agreed between the company and the student. The bachelor thesis is written in cooperation with the company. It is possible for the student to be taken on as an employee after completing the program.
The first practical assignment should already take place during the semester break after the 2nd semester. To participate in the SmvP, you must complete the first practical period during the summer semester break after the 4th semester at the latest. The contracts are to be submitted in each case no later than 8 weeks before the start of the practical placement.
-
Access requirements
In addition to the admission requirements for the bachelor's degree program in agricultural engineering, an educational/study contract with a cooperating company is required for transfer to the program with in-depth practical experience.
Requirements to study agricultural engineering in Triesdorf
There are no admission restrictions in the sense of an NC (numerus clausus) for the Bachelor's program in Agricultural Engineering.
This is what you need to apply for agricultural engineering:
- At least six weeks of practical experience in an agricultural business or a company in the (agricultural) technical industry; this requirement does not apply to graduates of the FOS, specializing in agricultural economics or technology, or to applicants with agricultural or technical vocational training.
- Willingness to learn & perform, motivation for professional curiosity, but also team spirit
- a good knowledge of foreign languages, in order to be able to cope with the international orientation of the agricultural business in professional life.
Information on the general admission requirements for studying at HSWT can be found here:
Agricultural Engineering in Triesdorf: Why you're making the right decision with us
Practical knowledge
The Agricultural Engineering degree programme at HSWT is the answer to the needs of the industry: it was developed in close cooperation with agricultural companies and is unique in this form in Germany. Here you will learn what will get you ahead!
Top study conditions
On campus, you will learn in the university's own agricultural machinery workshop and on the neighbouring test areas. You and your fellow students will also benefit from the cooperation with the agricultural machinery school.
Dual study possible
The Agricultural Engineering degree programme is also offered as a dual course with intensive practical work. Your advantages: You apply your knowledge directly in the company and receive a full salary during your studies.
