Program Overview

Food Science and Biotechnology MSc

Overview

This is an ideal launchpad for graduates seeking careers in the thriving food and drink industry – an industry which is facing particularly acute skills shortages with excellent employability prospects for suitably skilled graduates.

Course Details

Core Modules

• Advanced Research Project
  • On successful completion of the taught modules, you proceed to a 60-credit advanced research project. The aim is to bring together all elements of the course to address a relevant food industry problem. The project provides you with the opportunity to develop original knowledge in a specific area of food science and biotechnology, enabling you to demonstrate your ability to challenge orthodoxy, demonstrate originality, plan and organise with significant autonomy and operate ethically in potentially unpredictable situations. You must produce a dissertation report and a poster as an assessment.
• Food Analysis
  • Develop knowledge of the chemical analysis of food, together with the major chemical changes during food processing and how these impact the quality and safety of food. Enhance your problem-solving abilities using food chemistry-related scenarios. You develop your knowledge and practical experiences of food chemical analysis using traditional and modern analytical techniques.
• Food Biotechnology
  • Develop an understanding of biotechnology and its applications in the food industry. Explore examples of the impact of biotechnology on food science, nutrition, food processing and food safety. This includes reviewing traditional food biotechnology, and its underlying scientific principles, as well as the more recent application of recombinant DNA technology.
• Food Chain and Composition of Food
  • You are introduced to the structure of food supply chains and food systems in our sociality, and you explore the pathway of ‘Farm to Fork.’ Evaluate the resources and impact of the food supply chain, and analyse the impact of food policies on health, environment and economy. Understand the basic compositions of key food commodities, their impacts on human nutrition and society development, and the factors influencing these compositions throughout the food supply chain.
• Food Fermentation
  • Gain a firm understanding of complexities and the role of fermentation within food industry, safe operation, and choice of advanced techniques. The principles of microbial fermentation, with examples from food production including the management of waste, are also investigated.
• Food Innovation and Product Development
  • You are introduced to the food product development process, and you explore the development of food manufacturing processes. Experience connecting with the real world by developing a new food product, either through an industrially based or linked project.
• Food Safety Management
  • A range of traditional and emerging technologies employed to ensure the safety of food are introduced. Explore a range of current food-related safety issues, including the analysis of risk, and review current hygiene practices in the food industry.

How You Learn

• The transition to postgraduate-level study can be challenging, so supporting you to make this step is an important element of this programme.
• You gain support during the programme induction and within the Advanced Research Project module to help you understand the requirements of academic study at postgraduate level, enhance your skills in academic writing and referencing.
• By including work-based problem-solving projects and case study exercises, this programme emphasises real-world working, helping to blend theory and knowledge in the context of business.

How You Are Assessed

• You are assessed on subject knowledge, independent thought and skills acquisition.
• Assessment may include:
  • Examinations
  • Oral presentations
  • Technical interviews
  • Technical reports
  • Laboratory reports
  • Literature surveys, evaluations and summaries
  • Dissertation or thesis (MSc only)

Entry Requirements

• Applicants are normally expected to have at least a UK 2.2 honours degree, or equivalent, in a subject related to science, engineering or technology.
• In addition, international students normally need at least a 6.0, with no component below 5.5, in the International Language Testing System (IELTS) test.

Employability

• The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) estimated there are over 500,000 job vacancies in the wider sector.
• Graduates can seek jobs in many areas in the food sector including:
  • Food processing engineering
  • New product development
  • Quality management and food safety management
  • Food production management
  • Technical management

Work Placement

• There are potential short-term placements available during your study.

Information for International Applicants

• International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.

Fees

Full-time

• Fee for UK applicants: £8,365 a year
• Fee for international applicants: £17,000 a year
• Length: September enrolment: 1 year. January enrolment: 16 months, including a summer break. May enrolment: 1 year.
• Start date: January, May or September

Part-time

• Fee for UK applicants: £930 for each 20 credits
• Length: September enrolment: 2 years, including a summer break, January enrolment: 28 months, including two summer breaks
• Attendance: 1 day a week
• Start date: January or September