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What makes this Master unique?
Programme
First year
The first year is professionally oriented and comprises lectures, field and laboratory practicals, personal and group work and study, and visits to leading companies, prestigious research centres and Field experiments.
Technical experts from Bayer, Corteva, Limagrain, Ramiro Arnedo and Syngenta have participated in the last edition.
The flexibility of the Master permits students or professionals to take separate units on a specific topic and can attend face-to-face or online.
This training activity prepares students to design and implement plant breeding programmes with well-defined objectives tailored to specific agronomic, environmental, social, and economic conditions. By the end of the unit, they will be capable of developing a comprehensive breeding project for a chosen crop species, incorporating its environmental and socio-economic context. The course emphasises the application of core principles and methodologies, alongside advanced techniques for sourcing and analysing scientific and technical information.
Students will integrate classical and molecular breeding approaches, critically evaluate strategies, and plan their application effectively. They will also develop skills in preparing synthesis reports, presenting results, and delivering professional oral presentations. Additionally, they will learn to defend their scientific conclusions in public forums, demonstrating their ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively in a professional setting.
Second year
The second year of the Master consists of tutored initiation to research or to professional activity in collaboration with governmental institutions, universities, research centres, ONGs, associations and private firms. CIHEAM Zaragoza coordinators will provide information about the activities of the centres where students will carry out their projects. Students will choose a topic of their interest. They may also propose a project upon agreement with the host centres.
Our innovative multidisciplinary programme trains the plant breeding leaders of tomorrow
About us
CIHEAM Zaragoza (Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza) is one of the four Institutes of the International Centre for Advanced Agronomic Mediterranean Studies (CIHEAM), alongside those in Bari (Italy), Montpellier (France), and Chania (Greece). Established in 1969, CIHEAM Zaragoza is committed to delivering high-quality training and promoting research and international cooperation to address the challenges facing Mediterranean agri-food systems. CIHEAM Zaragoza is located on the Campus of Aula Dei, one of the largest and most prestigious agricultural science complexes in Spain, strengthening synergies between the scientific community, firms and students. Training is a core activity at CIHEAM Zaragoza and our approach is international and multidisciplinary. The organisation offers two lines of training: Master programmes and advanced courses for professionals. The Institute also promotes innovation in the agrifood sector through research and cooperation projects generating knowledge for applied solutions.
Meet our students
Registration
Complete application form at: www.admission.iamz.ciheam.org
The MSc programme is targeted to graduates of agronomy, forestry science, biology, biotechnology and other related subjects. Basic knowledge of plant biology, genetics, genomics and statistics will be required and applicants should accredit B2 level of English.
The first part of the Master is held in morning and afternoon sessions. Units 4 to 8 are also open for applicants who wish to take one or several units as independent modules and participants can attend face-to-face or online.
Complete application form from this link
The MSc programme is targeted to graduates of agronomy, forestry science, biology, biotechnology and other related subjects. Basic knowledge of plant biology, genetics, genomics and statistics will be required and applicants should accredit B2 level of English.
The first part of the Master is held in morning and afternoon sessions. Units 4 to 8 are also open for applicants who wish to take one or several units as independent modules and participants can attend face-to-face or online.
The selection of candidates is performed by CIHEAM Zaragoza-UdL Study Commission of the Master. The Master's Commission will select candidates based on the application documents sent by the candidates. Academic results and any previous professional experience related with the area of specialization are the main aspects considered.
The first year of the Master will be held from 6 October 2025 to 19 June 2026.
The second year will begin in September 2026 for a duration of 10 months.
Application deadlines* are as follows:
Candidates that request a scholarship: 4 May 2025
Candidates that do not request a scholarship or need a visa: 14 September 2025
*Non-European candidates should be aware of visa application deadlines.
Registration fees are 1408,82 euro for each academic year of the Master. This amount covers:
A) Cost of credits enrolled: 1258,06 euro*
B) Administration fee: 150,46** euro
*This price is indicative and may vary according to the official prices for credits of Master postgraduate programmes and determined at the UdL.
**This price includes records management, learning support service and compulsory insurance cover.
Candidates from CIHEAM member countries (Albania, Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia and Türkiye) may request a scholarship to cover registration fees, medical insurance and accommodation. Candidates from other countries seeking finance should apply directly to other national or international institutions. Preference will be given to non-European countries.