Study programme - MSc Food Technology

The MSc Food Technology a full-time two year programme, fully taught in English, the only programme of its kind at university level in the Netherlands. In 2024 for the 19th time in a row, Wageningen was ranked by students to be the best university in the Netherlands.

Wageningen University provides excellent education to students from around the world. Representing more than 100 nationalities, Wageningen University offers a unique international character. Students not only contribute to the sustainable development goals, but also to an active, dynamic student life.

Year 1

Wageningen University has an academic year which is divided into 6 periods. Throughout the first year students take 60 ECTS of courses, a description of these courses can be found in the course catalogue. Core courses that deal with the fundamentals of Food Technology, domain courses that provide a wide variety of topics in the field. On top of those, students are free to add (cross-disciplinary) elective courses. All students follow the integrative course Product and Process Design. This way students are provided the opportunity to develop their own profile. Whether you are interested in Food Fermentation, Microbiology, Food Process Engineering, Data science, Food Chemistry, Dairy Technology, Biotechnology, Nutrition, or something else, the programme allows students to become the Food Technologist they wish to become.

Year 2

The second year is divided into a thesis (36 ECTS) and an internship (24 ECTS), building upon the courses from the first year. The thesis will take place at Wageningen University, and takes approximately 6 months to complete.

Thesis

Students typically perform their thesis at one the following chair groups: Food Chemistry, Food Physics, Food Process Engineering, Food Quality and Design or Food Microbiology. You will receive individual supervision from a chair group staff member and you can choose from a range of subjects offered by your chosen department.

Internship

After completing the thesis, students will do an internship of approximately 4 months at a food company, research institute or organisation anywhere around the world. Bringing along the knowledge of the courses and their thesis, the internship for students is a unique learning opportunity, where they can apply their academic skills in a professional environment.

Academic year

Wageningen University has an academic year which is divided into 6 periods, in one academic year you are assumed to take 60 credits (ECTS).
In period 1,2 and 5 two subjects are taught, generally one in the morning and one in the afternoon. These periods consist of 6 weeks of teaching, followed by one week of self study and one week of exams.  The third and fourth period are shorter, 3 weeks, and in these weeks one course is taught block-wise and fulltime. After each period you will have the exam of that course. The sixth period consists of 8 weeks, all students follow the integrated course Product and Process Design.

After graduation

Food technologists from Wageningen University have very good job perspectives. Alumni generally find a job in either one of the food industries, the government, universities or institutes. Around 10% of the graduates will pursue a PhD degree.