Master in Agricultural Science and Technology at University of Catania
Two-year English-taught LM-69 master's at the University of Catania in crop systems, plant protection, farm economics and animal production, with four second-year curricula and a 22-credit experimental thesis. Entry needs an agricultural or related science degree and English at B2.
Master
2 years
Catania
English
University of Catania
Agricultural Science and Technology is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-69) taught in English at the University of Catania, with four curricula from plant production to animal science. Non-EU applicants living abroad need a bachelor's of at least three years in agricultural, biological, food, chemical or environmental science, plus English at B2 such as IELTS 5.0. For 2026/27, the five best-ranked applicants were offered a University of Catania scholarship of €2,000 a year for two years.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Catania's Agricultural Science and Technology master asks non-EU applicants living abroad for a bachelor's of at least three years in agricultural, biological, food, chemical, pharmaceutical, environmental or animal science, with at least 60 credits in related subjects for degrees outside agriculture, English at B2, and at least 50 out of 100 in the committee's ranking. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree requirement
You need a bachelor's degree or higher, obtained abroad, that lasts at least three years and gives access to master's study in the country where it was awarded. It must show an academic background in one of these fields: [1]
- Agricultural and forestry sciences and technologies
- Biotechnology
- Biological sciences
- Landscape and environmental planning
- Food science and technology
- Chemical sciences and technologies
- Pharmaceutical sciences and technologies
- Environmental and natural sciences and technologies
- Animal science and animal production technologies
Graduates from other fields are considered only if they are seconded to international organisations and have professional experience relevant to the programme. [1]
The course regulations add the credit rule. A degree in agricultural sciences and technologies (Italian class L-25) or its foreign equivalent meets the requirement automatically. Degrees in the other listed fields also qualify if they include at least 60 credits in agricultural, mathematical, computing, information engineering, economic, civil engineering and architecture, physical, biological, veterinary or chemical subjects. [2]
What this means for your transcript
Italian credits and the credits on a foreign transcript are not the same unit, and the committee scores the relevance of your previous studies, so your courses matter as much as the name of your degree. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Sc. in Agriculture, Horticulture or Forestry, which matches the agricultural and forestry sciences background.
- Check carefully: a B.Sc. or B.Tech in Biotechnology, Food Technology or Agricultural Engineering, a B.Pharm, or a B.Sc. in Chemistry, Botany, Zoology or Environmental Science. These fields are on the list, but your transcript needs the 60 credits in related science subjects.
- Often short: a B.Tech in another engineering branch, a BCA, B.Com, BBA or BA falls outside the listed fields, unless you are seconded to an international organisation with relevant experience.
English
English at B2 or higher, shown by one of: [1]
- IELTS overall 5.0 or higher
- TOEFL 60 or higher
- Cambridge Preliminary (PET) or Business Preliminary (BEC), or higher
- A statement from the university that awarded your bachelor's or master's degree that its official language was English
- Citizenship of a country whose official language is English
The 2026/27 course regulations also refer to Italian at B2. International students without it add Italian language activities to their study plan, rather than being refused. The non-EU call does not list Italian among its admission requirements. [1][2]
Selection and ranking
A committee of at least three lecturers checks your file and scores it out of 100. You need at least 50 to be eligible, and ties go to the younger candidate. The committee may ask for an online interview or test. [1]
- Academic record: up to 50 points
- Relevance of your previous studies: up to 40 points
- Reference letter: up to 5 points
- Motivation: up to 5 points
The course regulations describe the check of your preparation as an oral interview with a committee of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment. It covers topics from a syllabus published by the programme, as well as your motivation, your command of the subjects and your communication skills. [2]
2026/27 deadlines
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad applied on the university's Smartedu portal from 10 February 2026 (12:00) to 17 March 2026 (23:59), Italian time, with an application fee for each programme. Rankings were due by 6 May 2026. [1]
Final-year students could apply if they graduated by 31 July 2026. Admitted students had 15 days from the admission notice to pay the confirmation fee. The 2027/28 call will set new dates. [1]
Documents and non-EU steps
The online application needs: [1]
- Passport (personal data pages)
- Degree certificate, or an enrolment certificate showing the expected graduation date
- Transcript with exams, grades, the grading scale and, where possible, your GPA
- Official syllabi of all your courses, on university letterhead or stamped
- A reference letter written for this programme, preferably by a university lecturer
- A Europass CV in English
- Your English certificate
- A motivation letter in English of up to 4,000 characters
- A signed summary form, plus any other useful documents, such as a declaration of value or comparability statement
Documents not in Italian or English need an official translation into one of them. After paying the confirmation fee, you receive an admission letter for Universitaly pre-enrolment and the study visa. On arrival in Catania you complete enrolment with your passport and visa, your Italian tax code, an ENIC-NARIC comparability statement or declaration of value, and a copy of your residence permit application. [1]
Sources and verification
Checked by the ApplyAZ admissions team against the university's official documents listed below. Entry rules can change with each new call, and we re-check them before every application.
- University of Catania, International Relations Office. Public selection for the admission of non-EU students living abroad to English-taught Master's degree programmes, including Agricultural Science and Technology (class LM-69 R), academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Catania, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Teaching regulations of the Master's degree in Agricultural Science and Technology (class LM-69 R), 2026/27 cohort, approved by the Academic Senate on 22 July 2026. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Agricultural Science and Technology is a two-year master's degree in class LM-69 (LM-69R, agricultural sciences and technologies) worth 120 ECTS, taught in English by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A) of the University of Catania. The course is based in Catania and has open access.
It trains professionals with a strong scientific base and in-depth knowledge of agroecosystems. Graduates learn to manage the environmental and socio-economic factors behind farm production, control beneficial and harmful organisms, plan cropping systems, design structures for crops and livestock, and protect biodiversity while promoting sustainable, multifunctional agriculture. It suits graduates in agriculture, biology, biotechnology, food science or environmental science.
What you will study
The first year is shared and covers crop systems, soil, fruit and vegetable growing, mechanisation, rural estate, EU agricultural policy and plant protection. Units include:
- Sustainable Management of Cropping Systems and Management of Soil Organic Matter
- Fruitculture, and Vegetable and Ornamental Crops
- Agricultural Mechanisation and Labour Organisation, and Rural Estate Valuation
- European Agricultural and Fisheries Policy
- Plant Disease Management and Sustainable Pest Control
- Water Resource Management in Agriculture
In the second year you choose one of four curricula:
- Plant Productions: weed management and fertilisation, biomass crops for energy, Mediterranean fruit tree crops and protected cultivation
- Plant Protection Technologies: biological control, integrated pest management and diagnosis in plant pathology
- Economy and Planning: strategic farm management, agri-food markets and marketing, sustainability in land planning and rural building design, and technologies for innovation and safety in agriculture
- Zootechnical: sustainable animal production systems, quality management in livestock, genetic improvement of livestock, and animal nutrition and feeding
How the programme is taught
Teaching runs in semesters over two years. Each curriculum has at most 11 exams, including 12 free-choice credits, and attendance is not compulsory but strongly recommended. [2]
The degree ends with a 22-credit experimental thesis, written in English and defended in public. You prepare it under one or more supervisors, at least one of them a professor, who may come from another university, and the data for it can be collected in Italy or abroad. [2]
Career paths
Graduates work in agriculture, education and research, in both public and private organisations. They can also sit the Italian state exam to join Section A of the professional register of agronomists and foresters. The course prepares for roles such as:
- Entrepreneur, administrator or manager of large agricultural, livestock or forestry companies
- Owner or manager of a small farm business
- Agronomist and forester
- Management specialist in public administration
- Marketing specialist for goods and services
- Researcher or graduate technician in agricultural sciences
Fees and scholarships
The 2026/27 call for non-EU students living abroad set a single flat fee for the year, covering the university contribution, the regional tax and stamp duty. The top five applicants in this degree's ranking were offered a University of Catania scholarship of €2,000 a year for two years, with the second year confirmed after passing 30 credits by 15 October 2027. [1] ERSU Catania runs grants based on merit and family income, so the degree can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
Non-EU applicants living abroad apply through the University of Catania's call for its ten English-taught master's, using the Smartedu portal and paying an application fee for each programme. A committee scores your academic record (up to 50 points), the relevance of your studies (40), a reference letter (5) and your motivation (5) out of 100, and may hold an online interview or test. You need at least 50 to be eligible. [1] For 2026/27 the window ran from 10 February to 17 March 2026, with rankings due by 6 May 2026. The 2027/28 call will set new dates. [1]
If admitted, you confirm your place within 15 days with a non-refundable payment, then use your admission letter for Universitaly pre-enrolment and the study visa. If the visa arrives too late, you can ask to enrol in the following year without applying again. [1]
How ApplyAZ helps
ApplyAZ is an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities. We can include this programme in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes that fit your profile, so your plan never rests on a single application.
For eligible students who start with us, a named person owns each stage, from A to Z:
- We check your transcript against Catania's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your Smartedu application, place confirmation and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your ERSU Catania scholarship application at the right time and in the right format.
- We prepare your visa file.
With operations in all 20 Italian regions, we follow each region's scholarship rules and deadlines as they change. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa, so no one can promise an outcome. You pay in milestones, and every service you pay for is either delivered or its fee is refunded (terms apply).
Programmes at Italian public universities can be tuition-free for eligible students. Check if you are eligible and book a one-to-one consultation session with one of our Italy experts, or see how ApplyAZ works.
Questions and answers
What bachelor's degree do I need for Catania's Agricultural Science and Technology master?
A bachelor's of at least three years in agricultural, forestry, biological, biotechnology, food, chemical, pharmaceutical, environmental or animal science, or landscape and environmental planning. Degrees outside agriculture need at least 60 credits in related science, engineering, economics or veterinary subjects. [1][2]
I have a B.Sc. in Biotechnology or Food Technology. Can I apply?
Possibly. Both fields are on the call's list, and such degrees meet the rule if they include at least 60 credits in related subjects such as biology, chemistry, agriculture, maths or physics. A B.Sc. in Agriculture usually fits more directly. A BCA, B.Com or BBA falls outside the listed fields. [1][2]
Is there an entrance exam?
No fixed written exam. Non-EU applicants living abroad are scored out of 100 on their academic record (50), relevance of studies (40), a reference letter (5) and motivation (5), and need 50 to qualify. The committee may add an online interview or test. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2. Accepted proof is IELTS 5.0 overall, TOEFL 60, Cambridge PET or BEC Preliminary or higher, a statement from your university that your degree was taught in English, or citizenship of an English-speaking country. [1]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad applied on the Smartedu portal from 10 February to 17 March 2026, and rankings were due by 6 May 2026. The 2027/28 call will set new dates. [1]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes, if you graduate in time. For 2026/27, final-year students could apply if they graduated by 31 July 2026, uploading an enrolment certificate that shows the expected graduation date. [1]
What curricula can I choose?
After a shared first year you pick one of four curricula: Plant Productions, Plant Protection Technologies, Economy and Planning, or Zootechnical. The degree ends with a 22-credit experimental thesis written in English. [2]
How do fees and scholarships work?
For 2026/27, non-EU students living abroad paid a single flat fee for the year, and the five best-ranked applicants were offered a University of Catania scholarship of €2,000 a year for two years. ERSU Catania offers regional grants to eligible students. [1]
Can someone handle my whole application to Agricultural Science and Technology at Catania?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Catania's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the ERSU Catania scholarship application at the right time and in the right format, and prepares your visa file, for eligible students. Start by checking your eligibility.
I'm applying from India. What is the route into Agricultural Science and Technology?
A three-year Indian bachelor's in a listed field, such as a B.Sc. in Agriculture, Horticulture or Forestry, fits the rule best. Biotechnology, food technology, chemistry, pharmacy and environmental science degrees can also qualify if they include at least 60 credits in related science subjects. You also need English at B2, for example IELTS 5.0. The steps are the Smartedu application, the ranking, the place confirmation and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1][2] Indian students apply for the type D study visa at the Italian embassy or consulate that covers their state, such as New Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru.
Is the route different from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka?
No. The academic rules for Agricultural Science and Technology are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: Smartedu application and ranking, the place confirmation and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for their country of residence. Read our guide for students in Dhaka.
I live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain. Where do I apply for the visa?
At the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the country where you legally live, after Universitaly pre-enrolment. The academic rules for Agricultural Science and Technology are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: Smartedu application and ranking, the place confirmation and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.
I studied or live in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. What is the route?
The academic rules for Agricultural Science and Technology are the same whatever your nationality, and your degree is assessed like any other foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who live abroad follow the same route: Smartedu application and ranking, the place confirmation and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for where they live. Read our guides for students in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
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