Practice Trainings for Agricultural Engineer BSc Students
University of Debrecen – Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management
Practical training is an essential and integral part of the Agricultural Engineer BSc programme. Students participate in several types of practice periods that gradually develop their professional competencies, from basic fieldwork to full-scale operational experience in agricultural enterprises.
The programme includes:
- Weekly Practices I–IV (40 hours each, held during semesters 1–4)
- Summer Practice I and II (80 hours each, completed after semesters 2 and 4)
- 7th Semester Professional Internship (480 hours, approx. 3 months)
Each practice type has a specific role in developing hands-on knowledge, technical skills, and a comprehensive understanding of real agricultural processes.
Weekly practices take place once during each of the first four semesters.
- Duration: One full week (Monday–Friday), 40 hours
- Organised by: Relevant academic departments
- Absences: Participation may require students to miss classes during that week; these absences do not count toward the maximum allowed absences. Students must notify their instructors in advance.
Weekly Practice I and III – Crop Production Focus
Students gain insight into a wide range of crop production tasks and workflows. Throughout the semesters, they follow the full technological process—from manual labour to farm management responsibilities.
Key learning components include:
- Participating in fieldwork related to both autumn- and spring-sown crops
- Understanding the full crop production technology: soil preparation, sowing, crop care, harvesting, and primary processing
- Observing and gradually taking part in the organisation of farm operations
- Learning about work organisation in plant production: job roles, working hours, task scheduling, and workflow management
Weekly Practice II and IV – Animal Husbandry Focus
These practice periods introduce students to the fundamental tasks of livestock production across various species and production systems.
Students will:
- Participate in daily animal husbandry activities
- Become familiar with different livestock technologies and work organisation methods
- Understand labour schedules and the logic of workflow design
- Learn about feed and bedding material management
- Assist in the transport of slaughter-ready animals
- Experience the discipline required in livestock production and understand its continuous nature and staffing needs
2. Summer Practice I and II (80 hours each)
Summer practices take place after the 2nd and 4th semesters and are designed to strengthen students’ practical foundation in agricultural sciences.
Summer Practice I (after the 2nd semester)
This practice provides opportunities for students to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired in their basic and applied science courses.
Focus areas include:
- Botany
- Zoology
- Soil science (pedology)
- Hydrology
- Other foundational subjects relevant to agricultural production
Students participate in practical tasks that help them acquire essential observational and field skills needed for their future professional subjects.
The University of Debrecen’s specialised farm facilities offer excellent conditions for completing this practice.
Summer Practice II (after the 4th semester)
The aim of the second summer practice is to deepen students’ understanding of practical and physical work processes in various agricultural sectors.
Students gain experience in:
- Crop production
- Animal husbandry
- Horticulture
- Additional agricultural fields where interactive relationships between sectors can be observed
During the practice, students engage in real working processes at the university’s farm units, enabling them to build practical knowledge that supports their managerial and logistical training in later academic years.
3. 7th Semester Internship (480 hours)
Organised by: MAG Praktikum Internship Organising Centre
Website: https://magpraktikum.hu/en
Contact: info@magpraktikum.hu
The long-term internship in the 7th semester provides students with extensive, real-world professional experience in operating agricultural enterprises. The internship lasts approximately three months and totals 480 hours.
During this period, students will:
- Work under real operating conditions
- Learn the organisational structure and workflow of the host institution
- Gain in-depth knowledge of production units and management processes
- Apply and expand their professional competencies
Application and Coordination
At the end of the 6th semester, MAG Praktikum contacts students by email with detailed instructions on:
- Application procedures
- Selection of host companies
- Required documentation
- Deadlines for reporting and evaluation
Students upload their internship reports according to the MAG Praktikum schedule. Reports are evaluated by supervisors.
Final Presentation
The internship concludes with a presentation at the department. Students must:
- Summarise their professional experiences and knowledge gained
- Clearly describe their personal contributions and tasks performed during the internship
FAQ – Practical Trainings for Agricultural Engineer BSc Students
University of Debrecen – Faculty of Agricultural, Food Sciences and Environmental Management
There are three types of practices:
- Weekly Practices I–IV (40 hours each, held in semesters 1–4)
- Summer Practice I and II (80 hours each, done after semesters 2 and 4)
- 7th Semester Internship (480 hours, approx. 3 months)
These are one-week practical sessions held during each of the first four semesters.
- Duration: Monday–Friday, 40 hours
- Organiser: Academic departments
What is the focus of Weekly Practice I & III?
Crop production: soil preparation, sowing, crop care, harvesting, primary processing, and farm organisation.
What is the focus of Weekly Practice II & IV?
Animal husbandry: daily livestock tasks, technologies, feed and bedding management, workflow organisation, and transport of slaughter-ready animals.
No. Absences due to weekly practice do not count toward your maximum allowed absences.
However, you must inform your instructors.
- Summer Practice I: after the 2nd semester
- Summer Practice II: after the 4th semester
Both are 80 hours long.
You will apply basic science knowledge in subjects such as:
- Botany
- Zoology
- Soil science (pedology)
- Hydrology
You will perform field observations and practical tasks that support your later professional subjects.
You will gain experience in several areas of agriculture, such as:
- Crop production
- Animal husbandry
- Horticulture
You will also learn how different sectors of agriculture are interconnected.
Most tasks take place at the University’s specialised farm units.
A long-term, full-time internship where you work under real operating conditions.
- Duration: 480 hours (approx. 3 months)
- Organised by: MAG Praktikum Internship Centre
- Website: https://magpraktikum.hu/en
- Contact: (info@magpraktikum.hu)
At the end of the 6th semester, MAG Praktikum will email you with:
- Application steps
- How to find a host company
- Documentation and deadlines
- Reporting requirements
You must:
- Upload reports according to MAG Praktikum deadlines.
- Give a final presentation at your department summarizing:
- What you learned
- What tasks you completed personally
- Your professional development
Weekly practices and Summer practices are arranged by the departments.
The internship may take place:
- At the University of Debrecen’s specialised farms
- At approved external agricultural companies or institutions
- Through MAG Praktikum partner organisations (for the 7th semester)