I have completed my bachelors and masters in horticulture. Which is the best ranked university to get into my second masters?
Asked by Amudhamathi Elumalai 2 months ago
Business analyst
For a second master’s in horticulture or a related specialization, the University of California, Davis stands out. It’s consistently ranked in the top 3 worldwide for agricultural and environmental sciences.
UC Davis offers strong master’s tracks in Horticulture, Plant Biology, and Environmental Horticulture. What makes it different is its industry linkages, many grads end up in leading agri-tech firms, research labs, or extension roles. Also, having a BSc and MSc already can sometimes strengthen your application for a research-focused second degree or even a non-thesis professional master’s.
If you’re looking beyond traditional horticulture, Lincoln University in New Zealand also offers top-rated programs with an applied focus, especially in viticulture and landscape management, ideal if you want to pivot slightly.
These programs also tend to accept applicants with prior master's degrees, especially if you're switching research direction or deepening specialization.
Hey! Since you’ve already done a bachelor’s and master’s in horticulture, doing a second one makes sense if you’re planning to shift focus a bit—like into agribusiness, food tech, or something research-heavy.
If you’re thinking about top places, check out Wageningen in the Netherlands—it's super well-known for anything agriculture-related. UC Davis in the US is also great, and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences is solid too.
If you’re clear on where you want to work or settle later, I can help narrow it down better!
If you’ve already done a bachelor’s and master’s in horticulture and are exploring a second master’s, here are five globally ranked universities worth considering:
- Wageningen University (Netherlands) – Offers an MSc in Plant Sciences with tracks like Greenhouse Horticulture and Plant Breeding. Known for cutting-edge agri research.
- UC Davis (USA) – Strong in Horticulture and Agronomy with research options in crop genetics, postharvest, and agroecology.
- Cornell University (USA) – Offers a one-year Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Horticulture, ideal for applied, career-focused learning.
- University of Reading (UK) – MSc Horticulture program with flexibility to tailor courses toward your interests.
- Lincoln University (New Zealand) – Master of Horticultural Science combining coursework and research in areas like viticulture and plant protection.
Each school has a strong international reputation and accepts students with prior master's degrees. Choose based on research interest, region, or career goals.