Master's Data Science for Food and Health

Why this programme?

• Interdisciplinary focus: Combine expertise in data science with in-depth knowledge of nutrition, lifestyle, and consumer behaviour—and their impacts on human health.
• Actionable insights: Learn to translate diverse data sources into meaningful, actionable insights using advanced analytical and data processing techniques.
• Tailored learning path: Shape your own academic journey by selecting courses and tracks aligned with your personal interests and career goals.
• Broaden your impact: Become a "bridge builder" capable of connecting disciplines and driving innovation in both academic and applied settings.

Watch an example video of data science related to the domains of Nutrition and Health, Health Promotion, and Consumer Behaviour:

Study programme of MSc Data Science for Food and Health

The study is designed to train professionals who can bridge the gap between data science and domain-specific knowledge in health, nutrition, food, and behaviour. You’ll apply statistical and analytical techniques to challenges in human health and nutrition, food technology, healthy lifestyles, marketing and consumer behaviour.

What makes this programme unique is its suitability for students with different backgrounds. If you have a background in health, nutrition, or a related field, you’ll learn the full data science process and gain essential technical skills. If you come from a data science background, you’ll deepen your understanding of the food and health domains through more advanced, domain-specific courses.

For a general overview of the programme and detailed information about courses, internships, and the thesis, please refer to the Data Science for Food and Health page.

Tracks

While there are no pre-defined specialisations, students can follow various tracks based on their interests. These include:

• Nutrition and Health: Work with large datasets from health trackers, clinical trials, or epidemiological studies. Learn to apply data science methods to investigate complex nutrition and health questions.
• Consumer Behaviour: Learn to analyse marketing and behavioural data, such as eye-tracking patterns, purchasing behaviour, and demographic trends. Explore how AI and recommendation systems can be applied to better understand consumer decisions.
• Lifestyle and Health:
  • Data science for healthy lifestyles: Focus on understanding and promoting sustainable, healthy behaviours. Learn about behavioural change, intervention strategies, and how data science supports these efforts.
  • Data science for population health: Use data from social media, networks, communities, and public policy to study and improve health at the population level.
• Food Technology: Combine data from chemical, microbiological, and physical analyses with consumer, epidemiological, and socio-economic data. Apply data science to questions related to food quality, safety, sustainability, and consumer preferences.

Application and admission

Interested in taking part in the programme of Data Science for Food and Health? Find out more about the specific Admission requirements and the application procedures.

Key Facts

Student experiences

The best way to get to know a place is by getting to know the people. Students share their experiences with you about the master's programme and student life in Wageningen on the page Student experiences.

You start with learning the basics, and you grow your knowledge and skills with each course.

Future career

What are your possibilities after graduating? Read more about Career perspectives and opportunities after finishing the programme.