MSc in Horticultural Engineering

MSc in Horticultural Engineering

Last modified: 13. March 2025

Horticulture is the most dynamic and colorful sector of agriculture. Today, the tasks of horticulturists have expanded beyond just growing and processing plants. These activities are closely linked to, among others, business management, consultancy, organization, quality assurance, management, sales and services for the domestic and foreign markets. Graduates shall be able to assess and control the impact of the horticultural sector on the natural and social environment and to adopt a strategic approach. To this end, the Master's degree program combines horticultural expertise with natural sciences and interdisciplinary knowledge, providing a modern theoretical basis and practical skills. In addition to specialization modules (ornamental plants, medicinal plants, fruit crops, vine-growers and vegetable crops), advanced knowledge in genetics, physiology, environmental science, biometrics and related subjects is provided. 
On the basis of our cooperation agreement, students enrolled in the English-language program of the degree program have the opportunity to obtain a degree from a partner university (Humboldt Universität Berlin; BOKU Vienna) (Dual Degree), subject to the fulfilment of the relevant study abroad and thesis requirements. Obtaining the Master degree gives access to another BSc or MSc programs, access to postgraduate specialist training course and access to doctoral (PhD) programs.

Qualification of the degree:

  • level of degree: Master of Science (MSc);
  • qualification: Horticultural Engineer.

Length of program: 4 semesters
Work schedule: full-time training (HU, EN), correspondence training (HU)
Financial options: state scholarship or self-funded
Program Leader: Dr. Éva Zámbori-Németh university professor (Buda Campus)


Training sites:

  • Budapest 
  • Keszthely
  • Zenta training location

Language of conduction: 

  • Budapest: Hungarian or English;
  • Keszthely: Hungarian;
  • Zenta training location: Hungarian.

Elective specializations

SPECIALIZATIONS RESPONSIBLES FOR SPECIALIZTAION WORK SCHEDULE AND LOCATION
Ornamental Plants Dr. Péter Honfi associate professor Full-time Hungarian or English, Correspondence Hungarian
Medicinal Plants Dr. Szilvia Tavaszi-Sárosi associate professor Full-time Hungarian or English, Correspondence Hungarian
Fruit Bearing Plants Dr. Dávid Papp senior lecturer Full-time Hungarian or English, Correspondence Hungarian
Viticulture and Oenology Dr. Tamás Deák associate professor Full-time Hungarian or English, Correspondence Hungarian
Vegetables Dr. Noémi Kappel associate professor Full-time Hungarian or English, Correspondence Hungarian

 

Conditions for selecting specialization 

General criteria for the ranking of undergraduate applicants for specialization selection: 

  • the grades of at least two, but no more than four, compulsory subjects set by the teaching institute;
  • the grades of the optional subjects proposed by the teaching institute;
  • work experience, professional attachment, vocational school qualification;
  • grade point average;
  • language skills.

Applications for a specialization will be assessed by the lecturer(s) responsible for the specialization concerned. A ranking will be established, on the basis of which a decision will be taken to admit or reject applicants to the specialization. 
 

Professional practice

The duration of the professional practice is 4 weeks for full-time students and 3 weeks for correspondence students, which shall be individually organized and carried out at a work placement in a company/institution approved by the program leader, in accordance with the topic of the thesis. It is recommended to complete the practice after the first year. It is the responsibility of the specialization responsible to approve the professional practice and record the grade. The practice may be completed abroad under the same conditions. The choice of practice location is made by the student with the approval of the person responsible for the specialization. The relevant information is available on the Buda Campus’ and on the Institute's website. 
 

Skills and professional competences acquired on completion of the program

Graduates with a degree in horticulture have a specialized high level of professionalism based on the basic sciences and appropriate language skills, which qualify them for managerial and senior management positions:

  • in modern production management, organization, distribution, technical advice, and representative bodies;
  • research and development in the sector and its management;
  • international trade, setting up and running production and research cooperatives;
  • planning and implementing EU programs;
  • in higher education and vocational training in foreign languages, in the specialized press and in the professional media;
  • in the management of professional information networks and service businesses

Conditions of obtaining pre-degree certificate (absolutorium)

  • completion of all the compulsory subjects of the course, plus the required number of optional credits according to the curriculum and the number of credits for the thesis, for a total of 115 credits;
  • completion of a four-week professional practice (5 credits).

Final exam

Condition to attend final exam:

  • obtained pre-degree certificate (absolutorium);
  • submission of thesis and its acceptance by reviewers;
  • the student shall not be in debt to the University.

Parts of final exam:

  • comprehensive complex exam;
  • thesis defense.

Field of knowledge and subjects of final exam 
From 2021/22 academic year:
A total of 25 credits of compulsory and specialized courses:

  • compulsory subjects: Geobotany and Vegetation Ecology: Adaptation in Natural and Synanthropic Ecosystems (5 credits), Plant Physiology and Molecular Plant Biology (3 credits), Biologically Active Substances of Horticultural Crops (5 credits) and Production Ecosystems and Forms of Their Regulation (4 credits), and
  • 8 credits of two subjects from the chosen specialization.

During the comprehensive complex exam, students will take 1 question from the compulsory subjects listed and 1 question from the specialization subjects of their choice.
 

Evaluation of final exam and qualification of degree from 2020/21 academic year

Accordingly, to chapter 4.3.16 Final exam and chapter 4.3.17. Degree certificate.

Model curriculum of the program