Food System Master of Science Programme

How is the course structured?

The duration of this programme is 2 years.

All students will follow the online module “Introduction to the Food System” as the first module of the first semester. You then will go through a semester-long study block at your home university (the institution in which you enrol).

The second semester is spent at a second university of the consortium (your first host institution). You will also take part in a Summer School on entrepreneurship with all other students enrolled on the programme.

For the third semester, you move to a third university (your second host institution), where you take part in a semester-long Market Feasibility Study along with further food systems modules.

For the final semester, you return to your home institution to complete your Master’s thesis. The thesis will be mentored by a mixed team of EIT Food Partners (industrial, academic and research organisations).

Each university offers a specific block of study based on their expertise, and by combining three of these blocks or tracks you will gain an integrated knowledge on the food system (e.g. primary production + food processing + consumer sciences, or food production + logistics + digitisation).

In addition, pan-European activities at industrial partner sites will ensure you bond with the rest of the students enrolled on the programme.

Study paths

With 6 universities offering the international Master programme "Food Systems" in 2020, there are 18 distinct path combinations that you can select from.

This page offers guidance for finding your "perfect path".

• Consider first where you want to start and end your journey: the university where you spend your first semester will also be the one where you finish your studies with the Master thesis, and it will be the institution granting your degree; the focus of this institution (technical/production, consumer/nutrition or business/management) should fit your area of interest and expertise. Each institution offers three path combinations, partnering up with different universities to offer a unique set of topics in relation to the food system for each path.
• Combine different topics to find the path that suits you best!

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How to apply?

This course is for elite students from across the EU who want to become a new type of food entrepreneur.

The admission requirements are:

Prior academic degree:

A Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Sciences, Biological/Life Sciences, Food Science, Chemistry, Food Safety and/or Nutrition

Relevant degrees in other fields may be considered by the admissions comittee on a case-by-case basis.

Please always check the specific requirements for each of the paths you are applying for.

Language proficiency (the programme is taught in English):

Evidence of English proficiency on level B2 CEFR

TOEFL B2

IELTS at least 6,5 (at least 6,0 in written prod., oral prod., listening comp. and reading comp.)

Bachelor or Master diploma from a curriculum studied entirely in English

Alternative documentation for a B2 level of English or higher may be considered by the admissions comittee on a case-by-case basis.

Please always check the specific requirements for each of the paths you are applying for.

Language documentation requirement for UK visa

For all applications involving paths which include a track in the UK: Note that in order to apply for a UK visa, you will need to provide the certificate of successful completion of a Secure English Language Test (SELT - see a list   of tests approved by UK Visa & Immigration). If you require a visa to study in the UK, but do not have the required test result yet, you can still apply for a path that includes a UK university. But note that full enrolment in this programme will only be possible once you have provided a SELT test result.

You need to have an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Sciences, Biological/Life Sciences, Food Science, Chemistry, Food Safety, Nutrition, Economics, Management or a related discipline.

During your application you can select up to three preferred study paths. Your application will be reviewed by the universities in those paths, and you may be invited to an online interview if you are shortlisted.  

You can also apply for one of the scholarships available for the programme.

Scholarships

EIT Food offers participation fee waivers for excellent students.  A participation fee waiver means you don't have to pay the participation fee or tuition fee to follow the programme.  You will still have to pay for your own accommodation and travel to the universities in your path, and have to cover all other costs linked to your personal life, like insurances, health care, etc.

Covid-19

We would like to inform you on what we are doing to ensure the continuity of our Master in Food Systems programme during the Covid-19 pandemic:

1. All universities have shifted to online forms of delivery and assessment, and this will continue until restrictions will be lifted. This can be different for different universities, so please check your preferred host university for the latest updates on teaching schedules.

2. We are monitoring the situation weekly, making sure that everyone is safe and that learnings and pathways can continue with as little disruption as possible.

3. The Summer School will be planned to go ahead as a face-to-face or online meeting of the entire cohort; there will be real value in bringing everyone together and to experience the module jointly. However, we will also work on a fallback option that could be delivered online if restrictions prevent this.

4. We know that the uncertainty can be quite a drain on the mental wellbeing, and therefore it is important to know that you are not alone: you are part of a group that is spread across Europe, and your fellow students and the teaching faculty and support staff at all the universities form a key support network.