Learn for a better future with the University of Bonn

“Growing up in the jungle, Greys Lastenia Otiniano developed a love for nature and understood the need to protect it. She took that passion to the Peruvian government, where she worked on improving weather forecasts for farmers nationwide. But she quickly realised that data and tools can only go so far. Seeking to do more, she signed up for the University of Bonn’s Master of Science in Agricultural Science and Resource Management in the Tropics and Subtropics (ARTS) . “It doesn’t just teach you about tropical or subtropical agriculture, but connects the dots between ecosystem dynamics, socioeconomic realities, and cutting-edge research,” she says. It’s not just the ARTS programme though. Studying across disciplines is at the heart of the university’s Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional and Engineering Sciences (AEI). With its research and practice facilities that cut across multiple disciplines, AEI is where you develop sustainable energy and food supply solutions. Source: Volker Lannert One city, endless perspectives It starts with the city. “As Germany’s United Nations City, Bonn has direct access to over 25 UN organisations,” shares Dr. Jan Börner , Professor of Economics of Sustainable Land Use & Bioeconomy. “They make it easy to bring real-world cases into our teaching — at the same time, students get access to a very diverse set of job and internship opportunities to explore potential alternative career paths.” Another highlight is learning alongside people with different interests and backgrounds. “We had to develop a sustainable business idea in the Sustainable Entrepreneurship & Venturing class,” Otiniano says. “The proposals were incredibly creative, ranging from digital labels to reduce food waste and optimising resources for indoor greenhouses. It was a clear example of how diverse backgrounds lead to richer, more impactful solutions.” Built for global change In October 2026, AEI is launching its most interdisciplinary programme yet: the two-year English-taught MSc Planetary Health , with courses designed by leading sustainability researchers. “It will enable students from diverse backgrounds to integrate perspectives in ecology, geography, nutrition, health, and various social sciences in the development of solutions for pressing global sustainability challenges,” adds Prof. Börner, who’s also the programme coordinator. The programme is open to recent graduates looking for their first MSc. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in agricultural sciences, economics, geography, biology, environmental sciences, medicine, or a related field. Over four semesters, you’ll study with international peers from multiple disciplines and interact with lecturers from four different faculties. What’s more, the curriculum integrates key methodological and analytical skills, including machine learning and causal inference, spatial data analysis and GIS with R, and analytical epidemiology. Everything is taught through the lens of real-world challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, food security, and public health. The programme is connected to the university’s Cluster of Excellence: PhenoRob and two Collaborative Research Centres working on climate, land use, and rural development. “This opens a whole world of applied research opportunities, for example, in lab and field experiments, farm-household surveys in various parts of the world, as well as in prospective cohort studies,” shares Prof. Börner. For Otiniano, simple moments like making vision boards with others made her feel truly part of a community. Source: Volker Lannert Ready for what’s next Starting somewhere new can feel daunting, but with the University of Bonn, you’ll have comprehensive support from the beginning. The International Affairs Unit helps with the essentials, including enrolment and pre-arrival tips and you can explore accommodation options with Studierendenwerk Bonn . The unit’s integration programme organises monthly events. There are also other activities, like faculty-organised hikes and opera nights, and German cultural events, including the Carnival , Easter, and the “Sankt Martin” lantern parade. By the end of your time here, you’ll have built a community and become part of a global movement seeking to make a difference. You’ll be more than ready to drive innovation processes and take on leadership roles in academia, policy, business, civil society, and international organisations. “Studying at the University of Bonn has profoundly shaped how I see myself as an international professional,” says Otiniano, who’s currently a student assistant at a major international institution focused on the global fair trade supply chain. “My goal is to ensure that agriculture is viewed not only as a pillar of food security, but also as a dignified and sustainable way of life that offers opportunities, respect, and stability to the people who dedicate their lives to it.” Follow the University of Bonn on Instagram , Facebook , LinkedIn , Bluesky , and YouTube

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