Englisch 
Deutsch 
The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Horticulture under the number 1168524. Who this German-taught online B.Sc. suits — and what you need to get in
This programme fits if you want an accredited German bachelor’s degree in horticulture while studying fully online. Typical profiles include:
- Working professionals in horticulture, landscaping or agri-supply who want to formalise skills and move into production, greenhouse automation or management — without leaving their job.
- Career changers from business, tech or sustainability seeking entry into sustainable plant production and value chains, ready to study in German from abroad.
- International applicants living outside Germany who need maximum flexibility (asynchronous study, online exams) and can verify German at B2 level.
You study 100% online with optional exam centres. Several practice projects are embedded; you can organise them with suitable companies in your region. The degree awards 180 ECTS.
Admission requirements
Formal entry routes are transparent. You can apply with school or vocational backgrounds — German or international:
- General or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or advanced technical college certificate (Fachhochschulreife).
- International school qualifications (e.g. IB Diploma): the university conducts an equivalency check (based on German recognition frameworks such as Anabin).
- Admission without Abitur: German master craftsperson certificate, an advanced professional qualification (e.g. IHK Fachwirt), or a recognised German vocational training of at least two years plus 3 years of full-time work experience. For vocational qualifications completed within the EU (outside Germany), an equivalency check is performed; acceptance is possible where they correspond to DQR level 4.
- Language for this programme: German (teaching and exams). You must provide one of these certificates at B2 level or above, issued within the last five years:
- TestDaF (TND3, at least 3 points in all parts)
- DSH (DSH-1)
- telc Deutsch B2
- ÖSD B2
There is no numerus clausus (no GPA cut-off). Intakes are possible year-round once your documents are complete.
Personal requirements
Remote study rewards strong self-organisation, steady weekly routines and resilience during busy periods. Plan realistically for about 20 hours/week (72-month track), 30 hours/week (48-month), or 40 hours/week (36-month). Build buffers around exam phases and seasonal work peaks.
- Language: confident academic German reading/writing (B2+) for scripts, exams and seminars; basic English helps with literature.
- Study skills: time blocking, note-taking, statistics readiness, and perseverance for multi-month projects and the bachelor’s thesis.
- Set-up: reliable internet, a quiet exam space, and the ability to schedule online assessments across time zones.
- Practice projects: access to or initiative to arrange placements with horticultural enterprises or along the value chain in your country.
If you thrive with clear goals, can manage your calendar, and keep momentum over several semesters, you can complete this degree successfully alongside work — from anywhere.
What will you study in the Horticulture (B.Sc.) at IU International University?
This programme is taught in German. For admission, you need proven German at roughly B2 level (e.g. TestDaF with at least 3 in all parts, DSH-1, telc Deutsch B2 or ÖSD B2). It is a Fernstudium – German for distance learning – at a private Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences).
You build a solid scientific and horticultural foundation. Key topics include Scientific Fundamentals for Agriculture, Applied Ecology and Statistics, then Soil Science and Plant Nutrition alongside Plant Use. You also develop plant knowledge across fruit, vegetables and ornamentals, including a hands-on Herbarium project to train botanical identification.
You learn technology for modern production systems. Modules cover Agricultural and Process Engineering, Protected Cultivation and Greenhouse Automation, and Plant Protection. A distinctive thread focuses on “Digitalisation, Drones and Robotics in Horticulture” so you can plan cultivation and monitor crops using data and automation.
Management and markets are part of the core. You study Business Administration, Accounting and Balance Sheet, Marketing, plus Supply Chain Management for the agricultural and nutrition sector. A seminar on the Economics and Marketing of Horticulture connects pricing, demand and distribution with practical decision-making.
Sustainability and planning run throughout. You work on Organic Horticulture and Advanced Plant Knowledge, and apply methods in projects such as Crop Planning and a specific theory–practice transfer. Three practical projects are embedded in horticultural enterprises or along the value chain, and the programme concludes with the Bachelor’s thesis (180 ECTS in total).
Electives let you specialise, for example: Sustainability of Production Horticulture; Resource Management and Material Flow Balance; Planning in Garden and Landscape Construction; Marketing of Plant Products; Communication and PR; Social Media Marketing; Legal Foundations of Agricultural Economics; Business Controlling; Artificial Intelligence and Programming with Python.
Terminology that matters in Germany: Fernstudium means distance learning with online-first delivery; a Fachhochschule is a practice-oriented university of applied sciences; the ZFU is the German state authority that approves distance-learning courses (this degree has ZFU approval).
How does the Horticulture distance programme work?
You study fully online with multimedia course materials, virtual classrooms and an e-library. Exams can be taken 24/7 online from outside Germany or at exam centres if you prefer. There are no mandatory on-site days. ZFU approval confirms the distance-learning setup (admission no. 1168524). A fully remote programme requires no visa.
Teaching language and language certificates
The teaching language is German. Applicants without a German school background typically present one of these certificates: TestDaF (at least 3 in all parts), DSH-1, telc Deutsch B2 or ÖSD B2. Proof of language ability is required before enrolment.
Learning format and study materials
Learning is asynchronous-first via the online campus: e-scripts, videos, exercises and forums. You also use the online library, MS Office access, LinkedIn Learning and data tools such as Statista. Study- and career-coaching support your planning. Practical projects are organised with your employer or partner companies in the sector.
Exams from abroad
Most exams are offered as online-proctored exams you can schedule around the clock, worldwide. Alternatively, you can sit selected assessments at exam centres. Coursework, projects and seminars complement written exams to reflect the applied profile of a Fachhochschule degree.
On-site sessions in Germany
There is no mandatory on-campus attendance. Seminars and the thesis colloquium run online. The three practical project modules happen in real work environments, which you can arrange locally in your country or region within the horticultural value chain.
Weekly workload, time models and time zones
Choose a time model that fits your life: 36 months (about 40 hours/week), 48 months (about 30 hours/week), or 72 months (about 20 hours/week). Starts are rolling, and you can switch models. Any live online sessions follow German time (CET/CEST), but the programme is largely asynchronous.
What does the Horticulture (B.Sc.) cost?
Tuition is charged in monthly instalments tied to your time model. As a guide, 36 months at €399 per month total roughly €14,364; 48 months at €344 per month total roughly €16,512; 72 months at €259 per month total roughly €18,648. Digital learning materials are included. You can study from abroad and pay in monthly instalments; check your bank’s fees for international transfers.
Costs do not increase if you use the common free extension (up to 12 months). Switching between time models is possible if your workload changes. Optional services or recognition of prior learning can affect the overall cost; recognised credits reduce the number of modules you must complete.
What careers and recognition does the Horticulture (B.Sc.) offer?
This is a 180 ECTS Bachelor aligned with the Bologna framework. ECTS credits are widely understood in Europe and by many institutions worldwide, supporting recognition for further study or mobility. The programme is accredited within Germany’s system accreditation and currently listed as accredited until 31 July 2032. IU International University is state-recognised, and the distance format is ZFU-approved for consumer protection and quality in remote education.
Career paths span the horticultural value chain and allied industries:
- Production and operations management in nurseries, greenhouses and open-field enterprises
- Crop planning and cultivation technology roles with a focus on automation and data
- Technical or agronomic advisor positions in input supply, distribution or public administration
- Quality, sustainability or supply-chain management in food and plant product companies
- Trials technician or research assistant in breeding, protected cultivation or applied R&D
For leadership positions in larger organisations or for academic careers, a specialised Master’s (e.g. horticultural management, sustainability, data/automation in plant production, or business) can be a logical next step.
Who is the Horticulture (B.Sc.) right for – and who not?
This degree suits people who want to combine plant science with business and technology, and who prefer the flexibility of a fully online Fernstudium. It is designed for working professionals and career changers aiming to upskill into planning, operations or advisory roles in horticulture.
- You need an online-first programme with 24/7 online exams and no mandatory campus attendance.
- You want a blend of plant science, automation and business to manage real production systems.
- You plan to integrate the three practical projects into your current job or arrange them locally.
- You value a European 180 ECTS Bachelor from a state-recognised university of applied sciences.
- You prefer rolling starts and flexible time models (36/48/72 months) you can switch between.
Some expectations do not fit this programme. Read the following exclusion points carefully to avoid disappointment, especially if you apply from abroad.
- You do not speak German at the required level. The entire programme is taught in German and requires recognised B2-level certification.
- You need on-campus labs or greenhouse practice built into the curriculum. Practical learning happens via projects you organise with companies, not through mandatory on-site laboratory classes.
- You are seeking a degree that grants access to a regulated profession (e.g. teacher training). This B.Sc. is not designed for regulated licensure pathways.
- You want a campus-based experience in Germany for visa or relocation reasons. This is a fully remote distance programme and does not provide a basis for a study visa.
Lade… 
Advisory Service
Have questions about Academic Programs Horticulture? Ask your question here, even anonymously. An employee of the institution IU International University or the editorial team will answer you.