Universitat Politècnica de València, UPV (Spain), Co-ordinator
Università di Padova, UNIPD (Italy)
Universität Göttingen, UGOE (Germany)
L'Institut Agro & AgroParisTech (France)

Erasmus Mundus Master Degree in Plant Health in Sustainable Cropping Systems (Master PlantHealth)

In an era marked by accelerating globalisation and the ever-growing impacts of climate change, agricultural systems around the world are facing unprecedented challenges. New and emerging plant diseases and pests are becoming increasingly common, threatening global food security and the sustainability of agricultural production. These evolving threats demand innovative, science-based approaches that extend beyond traditional crop protection measures. In many parts of the world, plant protection products are still used without adherence to rigorous safety or regulatory standards, leading to serious ecological and health concerns.

To address these complex issues, it is critical to understand plant health as a component of the entire agro-ecosystem. Sustainable crop protection now requires an integrated approach—one that accounts for the dynamics of pests, pathogens, and weeds within their broader ecological context, including beneficial organisms and environmental impacts. The need for professionals trained in such holistic strategies is more urgent than ever.

At the forefront of this global educational mission is the Erasmus Mundus Master Degree in Plant Health in Sustainable Cropping Systems (PlantHealth). This prestigious two-year international programme is dedicated to training the next generation of experts in sustainable crop protection and plant health management. Designed for highly motivated students from around the world, the programme equips graduates with the skills and knowledge required to confront current and future plant health challenges in both developed and developing countries.

A Programme of Academic Excellence

PlantHealth is a European Commission-labelled Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD), recognised as a programme of excellence in the field of Plant Health. It is organised by a consortium of five leading universities across four European countries, each with a long-standing reputation for excellence in education and research in agriculture and plant protection.

The consortium includes:

• Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Spain – the coordinating institution
• Other partner universities from France, Germany, and Italy, all bringing complementary strengths in teaching, research, and industry collaboration

Together, these institutions provide a rich academic environment, offering advanced knowledge in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), as well as access to cutting-edge research and practical learning experiences. The programme is unique in offering students the opportunity to study in at least two different countries, culminating in a double diploma from the participating universities.

Bridging Science, Practice, and Policy

What sets PlantHealth apart is its interdisciplinary and applied focus. Students not only receive rigorous academic training in topics such as advanced mycology, virology, entomology, nematology, and weed science, but also gain practical experience through field trips, case studies, and interactions with industry and research institutes. The curriculum encourages students to explore plant health through multiple lenses—scientific, economic, environmental, and social—fostering a systems-level understanding essential for sustainable agricultural development.

PlantHealth graduates are trained to:

• Diagnose and identify plant health issues
• Analyse underlying causes and assess their wider consequences
• Design and implement technically sound, economically feasible, socially acceptable, and environmentally safe crop protection strategies
• Apply research tools and methodologies effectively
• Communicate and transfer knowledge to a broad range of stakeholders across local and global contexts
• Navigate and implement international regulations related to plant health
• Through this comprehensive training, students develop not only scientific and technical proficiency but also the critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to tackle real-world agricultural challenges.

Innovation and Global Relevance

PlantHealth represents a significant innovation in agricultural education by emphasising sustainability and systems thinking in crop protection. The programme integrates core agronomic factors—such as plant variety, soil management, crop rotation, and nutrient use—into the study of plant health within the sustainability context. This broad approach ensures that students are well-prepared to design integrated, long-term solutions that balance productivity with ecological responsibility.

Another defining feature of the programme is its strong emphasis on applied research. The consortium partners are actively involved in both fundamental and applied research projects, often in collaboration with private companies and public institutions in the plant protection sector. This close connection between academia, industry, and policy offers students valuable insights into current challenges and innovations in plant health management.

The programme is particularly committed to training professionals who can make a positive impact in their home countries, particularly in regions where crop protection practices may still rely on outdated or unsafe methods. By combining international perspectives with local relevance, PlantHealth empowers graduates to become agents of change in their communities and beyond.

A Truly International Learning Experience

PlantHealth attracts bright, open-minded students from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds. The international nature of the programme—both in its student body and its teaching staff—creates a dynamic and enriching environment where ideas, practices, and experiences are shared across borders. Courses are taught by international experts and guest lecturers, offering students access to the latest scientific knowledge and professional insights.

Moreover, mobility is a central component of the programme. Students spend time at multiple universities, gaining exposure to different academic systems, agricultural conditions, and research facilities. This mobility not only enhances academic development but also fosters intercultural communication skills and professional networks that last a lifetime.

Outcomes and Career Opportunities

Graduates of the PlantHealth Master’s programme are highly sought after by employers across various sectors, including:

• Agricultural research institutes
• Governmental and non-governmental organisations
• International development agencies
• Agricultural extension services
• Private companies in crop protection, agribusiness, and biotechnology

They are well-equipped to pursue careers as researchers, consultants, policymakers, or technical advisors. Many graduates also go on to pursue PhDs or academic careers in plant health-related disciplines.

Upon completion of the programme, graduates will have developed the ability to:

• Understand and manage plant pest and pathogen risks from both scientific and practical perspectives
• Apply sustainable pest management principles in diverse agricultural settings
• Operate within the international regulatory frameworks governing plant health
• Transfer research findings into actionable strategies and communicate them effectively to stakeholders

A Commitment to Sustainability and Global Food Security

In a world where agriculture must meet growing demands while preserving the environment, sustainable crop protection is not just an academic pursuit—it is a global necessity. The Erasmus Mundus Master in Plant Health in Sustainable Cropping Systems is designed to meet this need by educating forward-thinking professionals who can contribute to resilient, productive, and sustainable agricultural systems worldwide.

Through its interdisciplinary curriculum, international collaboration, and strong emphasis on real-world application, PlantHealth offers a transformative educational experience. It challenges students to think critically, act ethically, and lead boldly in addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time: protecting plant health for a sustainable future.

Admission requirements

Candidates must fulfil and submit the following documentation:

University degree
Official degree (minimum 180 ECTS) in Agronomy, Agriculture or other related fields, with at least 4 ECTS in Plant Health or Crop Protection. If you have postgraduate qualifications (Master and/or PhD), a copy of all qualifications must be attached.

Academic transcript of grades

Official document with the academic record of the degree. In case of having taken postgraduate courses, the corresponding certificates must be included.

Proof of English level (minimum B2)
Certificates from exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, CAE/CPE/FCE, ISE, ESOL, OTE or PTE are accepted. Exempt are those who have English as their mother tongue or who have studied their bachelor studies entirely in English (on presentation of an official certificate). However, the presentation of an official English language examination strengthens the application.

Two letters of recommendation
Issued by university professors or employers. They must include contact information, signature and official stamp of the institution.

Curriculum Vitae
The Europass format is recommended, but not compulsory.

Proof of residence
Only required for Erasmus Mundus scholarship applications (during the first call for applications). It can be a certificate of census registration, certificate of employment, academic certificate or document issued by local authorities.

Once admitted to the Master's Degree, students will receive detailed instructions on the translation and legalisation requirements of the enrolment documents according to the host university.

Applications for admission are made exclusively online through the official PlantHealth website and within the two established application deadlines.

About the consortium of Universities offering PlantHealth

The Erasmus Mundus Master in Plant Health in Sustainable Cropping Systems (PlantHealth) is a two-year programme of academic excellence and international collaboration, designed to address the growing global challenges of plant health, pest management, and sustainable agriculture.

At the core of this programme is a consortium of five leading universities from four European countries. Each partner brings unique strengths in agronomy, crop protection, and research excellence, offering students a rich and diverse educational experience. Together, these institutions provide interdisciplinary training, access to state-of-the-art research facilities, and strong connections to both industry and public research organisations.

This synergy ensures that students benefit from the best of European expertise and international perspectives in plant health and sustainable agriculture.

Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Spain – Coordinating Institution

As the coordinating institution of the PlantHealth programme, the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) plays a central role in the academic and administrative organisation of the consortium. UPV is a public higher education institution widely recognised for its strong commitment to international cooperation and academic mobility. It is consistently ranked as the top technological university in Spain, with notable recognition in global rankings such as the Shanghai Ranking of World Universities.

UPV is a leader in quality education, offering ABET-accredited degrees (certified as equivalent to U.S. master’s degrees), as well as degrees holding the EUR-ACE and EURO-INF quality labels. This institutional excellence is matched by UPV’s specialised focus in Agronomy and Crop Protection, particularly in Mediterranean cropping systems.

The academic staff involved in the PlantHealth programme are drawn from two complementary departments:

• The Department of Agroforest Ecosystems
• The Department of Plant Production

These departments are recognised for their strong expertise in pest and disease management, biological control, and the development of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies tailored for key Mediterranean crops. Supported by excellent research facilities and a tradition of applied science, UPV offers students deep insights into sustainable crop protection under real-world climatic and agricultural conditions.

Università degli Studi di Padova (UNIPD), Italy

The University of Padova (UNIPD) is one of Italy’s oldest and most prestigious universities, consistently ranked among the top Italian institutions for both research excellence and teaching quality. It holds a strong international reputation, being placed among the top 20% of the world’s universities by QS rankings, and it has earned particular distinction in the field of Agriculture and Forestry, ranked 87th worldwide in 2022.

Within the PlantHealth programme, UNIPD offers one curriculum as part of its Master in Sustainable Agriculture, which also includes a Double Degree opportunity with the University of Georgia (USA). Teaching contributions come from two renowned groups:

• The Entomology group of the Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE)
• The Plant Pathology group of the Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry (TESAF)

These departments deliver expertise in sustainable pest management for both agricultural and forest ecosystems, offering students advanced knowledge that bridges academic theory with practical applications.

UNIPD is also a pioneer in developing and managing integrated international programmes. It has participated in the Erasmus Mundus programme since its inception, and currently leads or contributes to ten Erasmus Mundus joint master’s programmes, along with 35 double degree arrangements. This long-standing experience ensures academic coherence, administrative excellence, and a strong global network—an ideal environment for students in the PlantHealth programme.

University of Göttingen (UGOE), Germany

The University of Göttingen (UGOE) brings a strong research-oriented approach to the PlantHealth programme. Its Division of Plant Protection has a long-standing national and international reputation in basic and applied plant sciences, particularly in plant pathology, entomology, and integrated crop protection.

Research at UGOE is known for its comprehensive focus on both fundamental biological studies and applied investigations into major and emerging pest and disease problems, especially in key arable crops like cereals (wheat, barley, oats), oilseed rape, maize, and rice. The university prioritises understanding the mechanisms of pest and pathogen impact on crops, enabling students to develop solutions rooted in scientific evidence and field data.

The Plant Protection division is embedded within one of Germany’s largest agricultural science faculties, allowing students to benefit from interdisciplinary training across related fields such as: Plant breeding, Plant nutrition, Agronomy, and Soil science.

This structure enables students to specialise in crop protection while maintaining a broad systems-level understanding of agricultural science. Since 2010, UGOE has offered its own international master’s in Crop Protection, which aligns closely with the objectives and values of the PlantHealth programme.

Göttingen’s strong integration of research and teaching, combined with its emphasis on applied science and international engagement, offers students a rigorous and enriching academic experience.

L’Institut Agro and AgroParisTech, France

France’s contribution to the PlantHealth programme is represented by two of its most prestigious agricultural engineering institutes: L’Institut Agro and AgroParisTech. These institutions have a long history of collaboration and are highly regarded across Europe for their contributions to agronomy, crop protection, and environmental science.

In 2020, France consolidated its agricultural education through the creation of L’Institut Agro, a Grande École on a European and global scale that responds to contemporary challenges in food systems, agriculture, and environmental management. Together with AgroParisTech, the French institutions provide teaching focused on sustainable pest management strategies, with expertise in temperate, Mediterranean, and tropical agriculture. These institutions are deeply integrated into France’s scientific and professional ecosystems. They collaborate closely with:

• Major research institutes such as INRAE, CIRAD, IRD, and CNRS
• Technical institutes including Acta, CTIFL, Arvalis, and IFV
• Agricultural organisations and private companies in the plant protection sector

Their involvement enriches the curriculum through lectures, internships, and real-world case studies. In addition, they contribute to the advisory board that helps shape the educational content of the PlantHealth programme. These partnerships ensure that the teaching remains aligned with the evolving needs of science, industry, and society. Both L’Institut Agro and AgroParisTech are also active participants in multiple Erasmus Mundus joint degree programmes, underscoring their long-term commitment to internationalisation and educational innovation.

Conclusion

The strength of the PlantHealth Master’s programme lies not only in its academic curriculum but also in the diverse excellence of its partner universities. From the Mediterranean landscapes of Spain and Italy to the agricultural heartlands of France and Germany, each university contributes unique strengths in teaching, research, and innovation.

Together, these five institutions provide a collaborative, interdisciplinary, and globally-oriented learning environment. The consortium's collective expertise in sustainable crop protection, integrated pest management, and agro-ecosystem analysis ensures that students receive a well-rounded, impactful education that prepares them for leadership in plant health and sustainable agriculture worldwide.

By choosing the Erasmus Mundus Master in Plant Health in Sustainable Cropping Systems, students join a network of academic excellence dedicated to solving some of the most critical agricultural and environmental challenges of our time.