A degree in agriculture equips you with the solid knowledge and skills necessary to engage in agricultural and farm businesses or fields, including but not limited to food production, crop, and livestock science, agriculture sales, and so on.
If you are intrigued by those mentioned above and have questions such as, “How long does it take to get an agriculture degree?” or want to know more about the skills you will gain or future career prospects, please keep reading this article because we will answer all your questions.
How Long Does It Take To Get An Agriculture Degree in Switzerland?
It typically takes around 3 years to complete an agriculture degree in Switzerland. However, the duration may vary depending on the university you choose.
If you want to further deepen your knowledge and skills in agriculture, you may also wish to pursue a master’s that lasts ½ to 2 years, depending on the university you choose to study. You might also enroll in a Ph.D. which lasts around 2-4 years.
Why Should You Study Agriculture?
Are you looking for a reason to study agriculture? Well, there are multiple ones. To begin with, you contribute to one of the greatest concerns—the environment, since you will be engaged in conservation and sustainability, which are central to the environment.
Further, the industry is rapidly growing, so there is promising growth in employment opportunities for graduates in this field. Apart from that, agricultural graduates can join the market in many job positions and a range of areas, meaning that you will not find yourself stuck in an office all day but also engage in fieldwork.
Finally, if you want to further specialize in the field, you have many exciting options, including but not limited to plant sciences, animal sciences, food sciences, and agroecology.
What Skills Will You Gain In an Agriculture Program?
During your agricultural bachelor’s studies, you will develop your skills in many areas such as:
- Planning and conducting research
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Critical thinking
- Professional communication
- Data analysis, and interpretation
- Ability to apply your theoretical knowledge to solve real-life problems, etc.
What Can You Do With a Degree in Agriculture?
A degree in agriculture will open doors to a myriad of career opportunities. As an agriculture graduate, you may work as an agricultural consultant, agricultural chemist, farm manager, estates manager, soil scientist, or rural practice surveyor.
The list does not end here since there are other professions where your degree might be of great value. The latter include amenity horticulturists, commercial horticulturists, forest managers, woodland managers, horticultural consultants, sales executives, and many more.
Please note that, as with any other occupation, relevant work experience, internships, or voluntary engagements in the field will increase your prospects of securing a great job after graduation. So, keep investing in that.
How Much Do Agriculture Majors Make?
According to the estimates of PayScale, those engaged in agriculture in Switzerland will, on average, earn 127,000 CHF annually. Here are some agriculture jobs that pay pretty well:
- Agricultural consultant (179,000 CHF)
- Agricultural engineer (109,000 CHF)
- Agronomist (85,743 CHF)
- Soil scientist (91,865 CHF)
Is a Degree In Agriculture Worth It?
If you share an interest in food, soil, farming, and similar, obtaining a degree in agriculture is absolutely worth it. This degree offers infinite career opportunities that can pay very well.
If you are a dynamic person that hates the routine of working in the office, an agriculture degree allows you to take different journeys to different environments. And the cherry on top is that agriculture job positions enable you to make a difference by making a precious contribution to the environment, organic crops growth and redistribution, and food management, which at the end of the day improve humans’, animals,’ and plants’ health.
The Bottom Line
The length of agricultural studies depends on the university you choose to enroll in. But, typically, you can expect to get a bachelor’s within 3 years and a master’s within ½ to 2 years, whereas for the most ambitious ones, a Ph.D. title can be acquired within 2-4 years.
We hope that this article has answered all your questions and enabled you to see the great worth of obtaining a degree in agriculture.
