Agri-food Technology MSc

Program Overview

The MSc Agri-food Technology program at the University of Lincoln provides advanced skills for technical and management roles in the growing agri-food industry. With a holistic farm-to-fork approach, the program addresses challenges like sustainability and health, equipping students with forward-thinking knowledge in areas such as advanced food manufacturing, new product development, and agri-robotics. The program includes a taught element followed by a research project in industry or academia, preparing graduates for a successful career in agri-food.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MSc Agri-food Technology program at the University of Lincoln is designed to equip students with the advanced skills, knowledge, and expertise needed to undertake technical and production management roles within the growing agri-food industry. The program takes a holistic, farm-to-fork approach, acknowledging the need to optimize performance and quality in the agriculture and food supply chain. The program aims to address the challenges facing the agri-food sector, including land and water use, climate change, sustainability, health, and wellbeing. Students will study a variety of forward-thinking topics such as:

• Principles of crop science
• Advanced food manufacturing
• New product and process development
• Food safety and technical management
• Agri-robotics
• Supply chain management
The program includes a taught element followed by a research project in industry or academia, where students can apply their knowledge in a real-life setting. Students also have the opportunity to visit agri-food industries and hear from guest speakers.

Outline:

The MSc Agri-food Technology program is a one-year program that starts in September. The program is structured as follows:

• Taught element: Students will take a variety of core modules covering topics such as advanced food manufacturing, agri-robotics, digitization in the agri-food industry, food safety and technical management, global agri-food supply chain systems, new product and process development, principles of crop science, and research methods.
• Research project: Students will undertake a research project in industry or academia, where they will have the opportunity to make contacts and apply their knowledge in a real-life setting.

Modules:

• Advanced Food Manufacturing: This module covers the key fundamentals in advanced manufacturing within the food industry, including food process unit operations, food preservation, food packaging systems, hygienic food machine design, food factory design, and food process engineering.
• Agri-Robotics: This module introduces students to the subject of agri-food engineering and the role of modern automation in developing sophisticated and efficient engineering systems to meet the ever-increasing demand of the sector.
• Digitization in Agri-food Industry: This module explores the use of new and advanced technologies integrated into one system to enable farmers, wholesalers, food manufacturers, and other stakeholders within the agri-food value chain.
• Food Safety & Technical Management: This module covers the key quality assurance and technical roles within the food industry, including product safety, quality, and legality.
• Global Agri-food Supply Chain Systems: This module examines global agri-food supply chain systems and the importance of agile management in volatile demand situations.
• Principles of Crop Science: This module provides a review of current crop science and its contribution to large-scale food production, including new technologies and their part in the future of sustainable crop production.
• Research Methods (LIAT): This module covers the fundamental skills and background knowledge that students need to undertake a research project, including surveying literature, selecting and justifying a research topic, planning of research, academic writing, data collection, handling and analysis, and presentation and reporting of research.
• Research Project: Students undertake a research project from a broad spectrum of agri-food options, to address a scientific question.

Assessment:

The program uses a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Essays
• Examinations
• Oral presentations
• Practicals
These assessments are designed to develop the skills that will be needed for a career in the sector.

Teaching:

The program is taught by a team of experienced academics and industry professionals. The teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Case studies
• Site visits

Careers:

Graduates of the MSc Agri-food Technology program are well-prepared for a career in one of the world’s largest industries, agri-food. Potential career paths include:

• Technical roles
• Marketing
• Distribution
• Plant supervision
• Product development
Graduates may also choose to form their own company or pursue research and PhD pathways, particularly in the field of agri-robotics.

Other:

• The program is accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST).
• Students may also have the chance to visit agri-food companies and hear from guest speakers on sustainability in the food industry and agri-robotics.
• The University of Lincoln has launched the world's first Centre for Doctoral Training in Agri-Food Robotics in collaboration with the University of Cambridge and the University of East Anglia.
• The University was awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize in November 2023, recognizing the excellent work of the Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology in supporting the success and sustainability of the UK's food and farming industries.