Master’s in Food Technology (online)

In the first two years, you will follow a series of courses with a study load of ±20 hours per week. The programme includes two short stays of 2 weeks in Wageningen to participate in the necessary lab practicals. For an overview of the courses please see the study handbook.

Most courses in the programme have an exam that takes place in the final week of the course. The exams of the courses take place online during one specific time slot. Since students of the online programme live in different time zones, the scheduling of the exams has been optimized to find a time slot that is most convenient overall. Please keep in mind that stable and fast internet facilities are required and in some cases an exam may be scheduled during one of your working days.   

Individual courses for students and professionals: Wageningen Academy 

If you wish to strengthen your expertise and knowledge in one or a few subjects only, you are welcome to join individual courses. The perfect way to enhance your knowledge and get inspired by the experts from Wageningen University & Research from the comfort of your home, developed and organised by Wageningen Academy.   

Thesis

The thesis is a project under the supervision of a thesis supervisor, with a strong scientific character. It allows students to put their acquired knowledge and skills into practice by individually and independently conducting a research project within the field of Food Technology. Students within this programme have the possibility to write their thesis at their employer (if certain conditions are met), at Wageningen University or sometimes a combination of the two is possible. Topics may align with existing research projects at the food science and technology chair groups, or students may suggest other topics. The thesis is typically finalised within 12 months part-time or 6 months full- time, and students are informed during the programme about their options.

Internship

During the academic MSc internship, the student puts the acquired knowledge and skills into practice and at the same time deepens/gains relevant work experience at an academic level. You can organise your internship within your professional context, either at your current employer or at another organisation within the field of Food Technology. The Wageningen University internship office has an extensive network, which may assist in finding an internship. Students with a specific interest in deepening their academic skills may integrate scientific research questions and analyses in their report writing under the supervision of a researcher.

Individual courses for students and professionals: Wageningen Academy

If you wish to strengthen your expertise and knowledge in one or a few subjects only, you are welcome to join individual courses. The perfect way to enhance your knowledge and get inspired by the experts from Wageningen University & Research from the comfort of your home, developed and organised by Wageningen Academy. 

Mostly online courses, that you can follow in your own time. The exams of the courses take place online during one specific time slot. The programme includes two short stays of 2 weeks in Wageningen to participate in the necessary lab practicals. 

At Wageningen, you are never on your own. With more lecturers, study advisors and student counsellors than most other Dutch universities, you will always find someone ready to help. This guidance keeps you on track, lowers the risk of dropping out, and makes your study experience more personal, motivating and enjoyable. 

• Master's in Food Technology (on campus)
  This study programme is very similar to the online programme, the difference is that courses are all taught on campus and the nominal duration is 2 years.
• Master's in Food Safety
  This study programme focuses on microbiology, toxicology, legislation, communication, and management. These elements are also present within the Food Technology programme, but Food Safety students delve even deeper into these disciplines.   
• Master's in Food Quality Management
  This study programme provides a comprehensive approach to understanding and evaluating quality processes within the food industry. While quality is an inherent part of product development—sharing some common ground with Food Technology—the Food Quality Management programme places greater emphasis on the quality and managerial dimensions of food production, with less focus on the technological aspects. 

Graduates from food technology currently find jobs quite easily all over the world, especially in the Netherlands and Western Europe. Our alumni tell us about their current jobs so you can have a better insight in the career opportunities you will have. Graduates of the Food Technology programme 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. 

Student Career Services facilitates WUR students towards the labour market. If you need help in your orientation towards your future career. 

Do you want to apply for the Online Master's Food Technology? Find out whether you meet the admission criteria and how you can apply.

Admission and Application 

The admission requirements for Food Technology are defined in such a way that the students should be able to successfully complete the programme within the nominal duration. All applicants need to meet the general requirements.  

On top of that, to be admitted, you need to have finalized a degree that includes at least the following courses: Food Microbiology, Food Physics, Food Process Engineering, Food Chemistry and “Food Mathematics”. The names of these courses might differ slightly per university, but the learning outcomes must be similar. Find the learning outcomes of these courses at WUR in the study handbook.

For the online master programme, working experience in specific cases might compensate for small knowledge gaps.  

Relevant BSc degree

Students holding a BSc degree or equivalent in one of the following fields are eligible for the MSc programme Food Technology:  

• Food Technology or related  
• Food Science or related  
• General agriculture/Agronomy with specialisation Food Technology  
• Dairy Technology  
• Post -Harvest Technology (when focused on food science)  
• Nutrition*  
• Chemical Engineering*  
• Laboratory Sciences*  
• Biotechnology*  

*Only admissible when enough food technology courses in the BSc programme.  

Students with other BSc degrees can be admitted based on the actual programme in their BSc and/or relevant work experience. An admission committee will judge every application on an individual basis. If you are not sure whether you are eligible, please contact the programme (food.science@wur.nl).  

Grade Point Average

A Grade Point Average (GPA) for this BSc of at least 70% of the maximum grade.  

For some countries/systems there are exceptions to this rule:  

• Ethiopia/Eritrea: a gpa of 85 % is required, below 85% you are not eligible  
• Turkey: 65% or higher is eligible

Specific online master's requirements

Besides these three criteria, enrolling in an online master's programme at Wageningen University & Research also requires the following:  

• Good computer skills  
• Access to broadband internet  
• Commitment to engage in a virtual learning community
• Proficiency in English

You can apply for this Master's here.

It’s not possible to apply for a pre-master, it may only be offered to you by the admission board when you apply for the MFT (online) programme. The pre-master is only offered in case the applicant meets the general requirements and lacks specific knowledge in one of the mentioned areas, but never to compensate for the GPA requirement (7/10 or equivalent). 

Have a look at the general Application & Admission page for starting at Wageningen University & Research

Studying comes with expenses. Want to know how much you might need? All information about the costs of this programme can be found on this page. 

All information about student life in Wageningen can be found on this page.