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Degree Description
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Plant Health in Sustainable Cropping Systems (PlantHealth) is a world-class international programme designed to address the current challenges of global agriculture. Spanning two academic years (120 ECTS), this postgraduate degree is organised by a consortium of five leading universities in the field:
- Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) – Spain (Coordinating Institution)
- Università degli Studi di Padova (UNIPD) – Italy
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen (UGOE) – Germany
- L’Institut Agro – France
- AgroParisTech – France
An International and Multidisciplinary Approach
Awarded the Erasmus Mundus seal of excellence by the European Commission, PlantHealth provides cutting-edge training within a multicultural environment. The programme is distinguished by its practical methodology, which includes laboratory sessions, field trips, and seminars led by internationally renowned experts.
Upon successful completion of the programme, students are awarded a joint or double official degree after having studied in two different countries within the consortium.
Programme Structure and Mobility
The Master’s is taught entirely in English (except for the French venues, where the language of instruction is French) and involves mandatory mobility:
- First Year (M1): Held at UPV (Spain) or UNIPD (Italy). Students acquire a solid foundation in crop protection, agronomy, genetics, molecular biology, and statistics.
- Second Year (M2): Developed at a different university from the first year. The focus shifts towards specialisation in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), adapted to various agroecosystems and climatic regions.
Career Opportunities
PlantHealth graduates enjoy high employability rates within strategic sectors:
- Institutions: International organisations, consultancies, and public administrations linked to plant health and sustainability.
- Private Sector: Agri-food and biotechnology companies.
- Research and Academia: Direct access to PhD programmes and R&D&I (Research, Development, and Innovation) centres.
Master’s Degree Objectives
The primary objective of PlantHealth is to train a new generation of highly qualified professionals and scientists capable of leading crop protection efforts and promoting sustainable agriculture in both global and local contexts, spanning developed economies and developing regions.
To achieve this goal, the programme focuses on the following pillars:
Excellence in Diagnosis and Analysis
Risk Assessment: To critically analyse the causes, socio-economic impacts, and environmental risks associated with plant pests and diseases.
Advanced Identification: To provide training in the precise diagnosis of complex phytosanitary problems within diverse agricultural systems.
Innovation and Sustainability
Technology and Research: To foster the use of cutting-edge technological tools and scientific methodologies applied to modern phytosanitary research.
Integrated Strategy Design: To develop sustainable, safe, and efficient solutions for plant health management, prioritising the balance of the agroecosystem.
Global Leadership and Knowledge Transfer
Social Impact: To facilitate the transfer of technical knowledge to real-world rural development and agricultural cooperation projects, bridging the gap between science and the field.
International Competence: To equip students with the ability to apply scientific knowledge within multicultural environments and under international regulatory frameworks for plant health.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the PlantHealth Master’s programme possess a highly versatile and specialised profile, enabling them to secure international leadership positions across various strategic sectors of modern agriculture, biotechnology, and sustainable development.
Our alumni develop their careers in:
1. Industrial and Corporate Sector
- Biotechnology and Agrochemical Industry: R&D&I departments, development of phytosanitary products, and biosolutions.
- Seeds and Plant Breeding: Leading companies in crop improvement and certified seed production.
- Biological Control: Firms specialising in sustainable solutions and beneficial organisms for pest management.
- Agricultural Production: Large-scale farming operations, cooperatives, nurseries, and international consortia.
2. Consultancy and Technical Services
Phytosanitary Diagnosis: Plant clinical analysis laboratories and early detection services.
Specialised Advisory: High-level agricultural consultancies and law firms, experts in environmental law, patents, and agricultural regulation.
3. Research and Academia
- Research Centres: Prestigious international institutions and global agricultural research networks.
- Higher Education: Teaching, academic research, and university extension programmes.
- Doctoral Studies: This degree of excellence facilitates direct access to international PhD programmes.
4. Public Sector and International Organisations
- Public Policy: National departments of agriculture and government agencies for plant health.
- Cooperation and Development: International organisations (such as the FAO), NGOs, and entities dedicated to rural development and global food security.
Explore our alumni testimonials and discover their career paths here.
Candidate Profile
The PlantHealth Master’s programme is designed for students with a strong scientific background and a dedicated commitment to agricultural sustainability. The programme is primarily aimed at:
Environmental Sciences or fields closely related to agriculture.
University Graduates (minimum of 180 ECTS or equivalent) in:
- Agricultural Engineering / Agricultural Sciences.
- Plant Biotechnology.
- Environmental Sciences or fields closely related to agriculture.
Specific Academic Requirements
To ensure students can fully benefit from this programme of excellence, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Previous Qualification: Hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, representing at least three years of full-time study.
- Core Training: The academic transcript must include at least 4 ECTS (or an equivalent teaching load) in subjects related to Plant Health or Crop Protection.
- Note: Previous research experience, professional internships in the sector, or a clear motivation for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) within an international context will be highly valued.
Master’s Programme Structure
Total Credits: 120 ECTS
Mandatory:0 ECTS |Core Electives:90 ECTS |External internships:0 ECTS |Final Master’s thesis (TFM):30 ECTS
Module 1. M1 – Course content: 60 ECTS mandatory
In the first year, students must complete 60 ECTS at one of the following host institutions:
Subject: M1. Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain)
Minimum credits: 60 | Character: Core Elective
Subject: M1. University of Padova (Italy)
Minimum credits: 60 | Character: Core Elective
Module 2. M2- Course content: 30 ECTS mandatory
In the second year, students move to a different university within the consortium to complete their specialised coursework.
Subject:M2. Polytechnic University of Valencia.
Minimum credits: 30 | Character: Elective
Subject:M2. University of Göttingen.
Minimum credits: 30 | Character: Elective
Subject:M2. University of Padua
Minimum credits: 30 | Character: Elective
Subject:M2. Institut Agro & Agroparistech
Minimum credits: 30 | Character: Elective
Module 3. M2 – Final Master thesis : 30 ECTS mandatory
The final semester is dedicated to the research and defence of the Master’s Thesis.
Subject:Master thesis
Minimum credits: 30 | Subject: Final Degree Project
Internships
While the academic curriculum of the PlantHealth Master’s programme does not include mandatory credits for external internships, the programme actively encourages and facilitates professional immersion for its students.
Extracurricular Internships
Students interested in complementing their academic training with direct professional experience may undertake extracurricular internship placements outside of the academic period. These placements offer:
- Institutional Support: Full administrative backing and insurance coverage provided by the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV).
- Specialised Management: Placements are processed through the Integrated Employment Service (SIE), which serves as a bridge between university talent and the corporate sector.
- Added Value: An opportunity for students to expand their professional network and apply their expertise in real-world environments before completing their studies.
This model provides students with the flexibility to select the timing and the company that best align with their area of specialisation, without interfering with the Master’s core teaching load.
Research and PhD Access
The PlantHealth Master’s programme has a strong research orientation, providing the essential scientific and methodological foundation for graduates who wish to further their academic training towards a Doctoral degree (PhD).
Access to Doctoral Programmes
As a degree of academic excellence, our graduates are fully qualified to apply for admission to international PhD programmes:
International Outlook: The degree enables access to doctoral programmes at other academic institutions across Europe and the rest of the world.
- At the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV): Students have direct access to the PhD Programme in Agricultural Resources and Technologies, a benchmark in cutting-edge agri-food research.
Research Areas
Graduates typically focus their doctoral theses on key research lines within plant health, such as:
- Disease Epidemiology: Studying the spread and control of plant pathogens.
- Biological Control: Developing sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides.
- Plant Biotechnology: Applied research into crop resistance and genetic improvement.
- Climate Change Impact: Analysing the effects of global environmental shifts on agroecosystems.
Academic Exchange and Partnerships
The excellence of the PlantHealth Master’s programme is built upon a robust network of collaborations with top-tier institutions and companies worldwide. The programme offers students the opportunity to develop a unique global perspective through:
Master’s Thesis in Prestigious Institutions
Students have the flexibility to conduct their Master’s Thesis at a wide variety of institutions outside the core consortium:
- Industrial Sector: The possibility of developing the thesis within leading agri-food companies, facilitating direct professional integration
- Research Institutes: Collaborations with leading technological and research centres in any European country or across the globe.
Global Network of Associated Partners
The Master’s programme maintains formal agreements and links with international entities that enrich the students’ academic and professional experience. These partnerships foster a constant exchange of cutting-edge knowledge and methodologies.
Explore Past Experiences: You can view thesis examples completed by our graduates and discover our partner institutions in our dedicated section.
Facilities and Laboratories
The PlantHealth Master’s programme ensures academic excellence by providing access to modern scientific infrastructure and cutting-edge experimental spaces across all consortium partner sites.
Coordinating University: Vera Campus (UPV)
At the Universitat Politècnica de València, the programme is conducted within a dynamic academic environment that seamlessly integrates theoretical study with direct experimentation:
- Experimental Fields: The campus features teaching orchards and outdoor facilities, allowing the study of plant health to move from the laboratory into real-world field conditions.
- Teaching Spaces: Theoretical lectures are held in the Vera Campus classrooms, which are equipped with advanced audiovisual systems and high-speed connectivity.
- Specialised Laboratories: Practical sessions take place primarily within the laboratories of the Department of Agro-Forestry Ecosystems, as well as other leading UPV research centres. These facilities feature:
- Advanced molecular biology equipment.
- High-resolution microscopy and stereomicroscopes.
- Analytical instrumentation for phytosanitary diagnosis.
International Consortium Infrastructure
The other universities within the PlantHealth Consortium (in Italy, Germany, and France) offer equivalent high-level facilities, ensuring that, regardless of the chosen mobility path, students have access to:
- High-tech greenhouses for the study and control of pests and diseases.
- Certified laboratories for sustainable agricultural research.
- Specialised libraries and international scientific databases.
Master’s Thesis (TFM)
The Master’s Thesis represents the final and most specialised phase of the programme. During the last semester, students undertake original research equivalent to 30 ECTS, where they integrate and apply all the technical and scientific competencies acquired throughout their studies.
Excellence and Real-World Impact
The TFM is designed to enable students to address current challenges in plant health, contributing directly to the development and implementation of sustainable crop protection strategies in real-world research or professional environments.
Flexibility and Global Mobility
We promote an international outlook by allowing the thesis to be conducted anywhere in the world, under the following modalities:
- Consortium Universities: Researching any of the PlantHealth partner sites.
- Partner Network: Research stays at leading research centres or top-tier companies associated with the Master’s programme.
- External Institutions: The TFM may be carried out at institutions outside the consortium, provided two requirements are met:
- The host institution is officially recognised.
- The project is co-supervised by a professor from the university where the student completes their second year (M2).
Presentation and Defence
The culmination of the process is the public defence of the thesis before an international academic tribunal, ensuring compliance with the highest European quality standards.
