The job outline of horticulture has undergone considerable changes over recent years. And the courses we offer have changed as well. We offer a practically oriented bachelor's degree at a study location with strong traditions and the most up-to-date equipment.

What can you expect from a degree program in horticulture?

There are many facets to horticulture: plants, people, technology and economics/marketing all combine to contribute to its success. In order to promote your potential and interests in these areas, we offer a seven-semester bachelor's degree program at the Hochschule RheinMain University of Applied Sciences Geisenheim Faculty. The three-semester basic course teaches you the fundamentals of natural sciences, technology and economics for your further studies. But that doesn't mean we neglect the other aspects of horticulture – from the very outset you will be familiarized with the fundamentals of plant cultivation through practical exercises.

After that, you are free to shape your degree program based on your own concept. That is no problem here at Geisenheim as your advanced study period consists of two project semesters and your choice of one of more than fifteen elective modules. You can choose your trial project in the vegetable cultivation or the organic cultivation module. You can plan a greenhouse as part of the interior landscaping module or an irrigation system for a tree nursery. You practical project is enhanced by two additional modules which grant you insight into the most varied aspects of horticulture in line with your selection. And if you want to branch out beyond horticulture, then our “general studies” module gives you the opportunity to come up with an interesting enhancement module from the Rhein-Main University's entire study program...

After completing your bachelor's thesis you will receive a B.Sc. degree qualifying you for work in the field of horticulture. If you are interested in expanding your knowledge, then we also offer a three-semester master's degree program in Horticultural Science.

You want more practical work?

We teach theoretical principles in the traditional style through lectures, seminars and practicals. But we have come up with more ways to teach practical skills. Three reasons for a practically oriented study of horticulture in Geisenheim:

1. Our close cooperation with the Research Center for Viticulture and Horticulture in Geisenheim. The majority of instructors from the degree program are scientists working at the Research Center. They not only ensure a swift transition between research and studies, but also accompany your practical work in the facilities and laboratories of the Research Center. You will see that Geisenheim has a lot more to offer than just gardens and greenhouses.
2. We already mentioned our project semesters. You and your fellow students can manage a junior enterprise in ornamental plant cultivation – a greenhouse with plants is at your disposal for your project, of course. Or conduct classic variety trials in vegetable cultivation – the Vegetable Cultivation Department will advise you. Cost calculation and investment planning in horticultural economics? We can place you with an interested gardening firm to work on your project.
3. There is room for even more practical work: although we have transitioned to a bachelor's degree program, we have retained our proven professional internship semester (BPS). You can spend your 18 weeks of internship in Germany or abroad during your sixth semester. You have the full range of options and can profit from more than ten years' experience and contacts that we have built up for professional internship placements.

Global horticulture – Geisenheim's place in the world of horticulture

If you are interested in studying horticulture abroad, then you can count on our assistance. Studying abroad in your fourth or fifth semester is made possible thanks to close partnerships with universities all over the world, such as the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), Lincoln University (New Zealand), or Ohio State University and Texas A&M University (USA).

By the way, around one third of the students in each year's class spend their internship semester or time of their main study period abroad. Nowadays international experience is more critical than ever and we are ready to provide active assistance.

And what will be expected from you?

Interest in horticulture, interest in studying independently, and enjoyment of working with the subject matter. And interest in adding new chapters to our ongoing 138-year-old story of success in horticulture together with the horticulture instructors here in Geisenheim...