Biological Soil Management Specialist Engineer / Biological Soil Management Postgraduate Specialist Training Course

Last modified: 24. April 2026

Budapest
Postgraduate specialization program
ALL

Study Schedule:
Part-time (correspondence)

Duration:
2 semesters

Tuition Fee (part-time):
250,000 HUF / semester

Virtual Training Center:
MATE ENVI-NAT

The electronic application platform for our postgraduate specialization programs is available on the central page containing all published programs.

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Program Information

Responsible Institute: Institute of Environmental Sciences

Purpose of the Program

The aim of the program is to present alternative, environmentally friendly, and lower-cost solutions to replace intensive fertilizer and pesticide use for professionals interested in this field. It also introduces opportunities for transition to ecological farming.

The program also provides useful knowledge for land users who aim to rationalize land use, improve soil quality, and stop or prevent soil degradation processes.

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General Information

Field of Study: Agricultural Sciences
Credits: 60 ECTS
Starting Semester: Spring semester
Location: Budapest
Study Mode: Part-time (correspondence)
Language: Hungarian
Funding: Self-financed
Tuition Fee: 250,000 HUF / semester
Duration: 2 semesters
Minimum Enrollment: 10 students
Maximum Enrollment: 30 students

Training Frequency:
10 + 2 days per semester (consultations + field practice). Courses are generally scheduled for the last days of the week (Thursday, Friday, Saturday).

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Entry Requirements

For the Specialist Engineer program:

A Bachelor’s degree (or former college-level qualification) in agricultural sciences with engineering qualification, or Environmental Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering.

For the Specialist Professional program:

A Bachelor’s degree (or former college-level qualification) in agricultural or natural sciences with non-engineering qualification; or another Bachelor’s degree combined with appropriate farming or horticultural practical experience.

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Ideal Applicant

We welcome applicants who:

Want to support their health through self-produced food.
Wish to expand existing horticultural or agricultural knowledge.
Want to apply their knowledge in practice.
Consider soil health and maintaining/improving soil fertility important in producing healthy food.

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Qualification Awarded

For the engineer track:
Biological Soil Fertility Management Specialist Engineer

For the professional track:
Biological Soil Fertility Management Specialist Professional

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Competencies Acquired

Graduates will be able to:

Assess site and soil conditions independently and comprehensively.
Recognize soil degradation and plan prevention or mitigation measures.
Conduct soil testing and evaluate laboratory results professionally.
Develop treatment combinations based on findings and monitor results.
Examine soil-plant systems and soil food web complexity.
Identify ecologically missing system elements and apply corrective methods.
Review tillage systems and improve them toward sustainability.
Prepare nutrient management plans and nutrient balances.
Design, conduct, and evaluate experiments on yield enhancers and soil improvers.
Utilize agricultural organic matter, by-products, and waste.
Produce horticultural growing media and controlled substrates.
Recognize and correct plant nutrition deficiencies and nutrient uptake disorders.
Follow scientific literature and critically evaluate professional knowledge.

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Career Opportunities

Graduates may work in any branch of crop production as specialists or managers responsible for:

Nutrient management development
Soil protection
Crop rotation planning
Land use planning

Further opportunities exist in companies producing and distributing soil amendments and yield enhancers, especially in product development and sales.

Knowledge gained may also be applied in regulatory approval procedures under Hungarian legislation concerning yield-enhancing materials.

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Additional Professional Eligibility

With 5 years of relevant professional experience, graduates may become eligible for:

Agricultural and rural development consultancy in nutrient management and soil protection.
Agricultural expert activities in nutrient management, soil and plant testing, fertilization, organic matter application, and large-scale soil mapping.

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Credit Structure

Main subject areas and associated credits: 60 credits

Thesis:
Professional thesis, 2 × 5 credits

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Application Deadline

January 15, 2026

Application Method

Through the application form available under the university website menu:
Admissions – Postgraduate Specialization Programs

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Required Documents

Motivation letter
Scanned diploma copy (both sides if bilingual)
Professional CV

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Program Start Date

February 19, 2026

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Contact Person / Program Leader

Dr. Zsolt Kotroczó
Associate Professor

Address:
1118 Budapest, Villányi út 29-43.

Phone:
06 1 305-7464

Email:
kotroczo.zsolt@uni-mate.hu

Website:
https://uni-mate.hu