Masters in Food Science and technology in the UK

The industry of food science is changing with the changing food trends, and organizations are looking for better ways to make food safer, nutritional and tasty. Students who opt for Masters in Food Science and Technology course from the UK get to study a wide range of modules which include food safety, composition, physiology, product development, and sustainability. 

In this blog, we will learn about the various programs offered by the universities in the UK for Masters in Food Science and Technology, the eligibility criteria, and admission process, scholarships offered and the job opportunities you can expect. 

Why study the course in the UK?

Students who wish to pursue a Master's in Food Science and Technology in the UK can find the best programs in the top universities here. More than 80+ universities from the UK are listed in the list of the World’s top universities. Some of the other reasons why students can choose to do masters in the UK are listed below.

• The universities in the UK are known to offer the best course programs in good science at both graduate and undergraduate levels.
• The master's program has placement provisions, and eligible students can avail of internships and scholarships. 
• Upon completion of the program, students can obtain various jobs in commercial sectors like food manufacturing or even opt for research roles with government organizations. The field of food science and technology is quite broad and one can expect immediate placements due to a lack of proper talent.
• The pay scale for starting positions can range between GBP 25,000 to GBP 44,000 per annum, which is an excellent return on the investment. 
• Also, the UK student visa gives ample time for the students to look out for a job once the course is complete, and apply for a work permit. 

Masters in Food Science and technology in the UK: Course Highlights

Types of Masters Masters in Food Science and technology in the UK

Students who wish to complete their Masters in Food Science and Technology in the UK can choose from MSc or MA programs. Both these program modules provide a complete understanding of food chemistry, food processing, food microbiology, food engineering, and more. Some of the master's programs students can opt for are,

• Food Security MSc
• Food Safety, Hygiene and Management Master/ MSc
• MA Food Studies
• Food Science and Nutrition MSCi
• MSc Agri-Food Technology
• MSc Food and Nutrition Science 
• Food Innovation, MSc
• MSc Food Science and Innovation
• Food Science and Biotechnology (with Advanced Practice) MSc
• Food Science and Innovation MSc

Most of these programs have a course duration of one to two years and are full-time programs. 

Best Universities for Masters in Food Science and technology in the UK

As we already mentioned, the UK has some of the best universities that offer various master's programs in Food Science and Technology. Let us have a look at the courses offered and the eligibility criteria for each of these universities.

The University of Edinburgh – The University of Edinburgh offers a one-year full-time MSc program in Food Security. The university has intakes in June, March, and January. The required IELTS score is 7.0, and the student needs to have a UK 2:2, 2:2, or an international equivalent of the same.

The University of Birmingham – The University of Birmingham offers a one-year master's course in Food Safety, Hygiene and Management. Students need to have an undergraduate degree in environmental health, biology, or food science. The required IELTS score is 6.0 and the TOEFL score is 80. 

University of Exeter – The University offers an MA in Food Studies. This is a one-year full-time course, and undergraduates with social science, environmental studies, or humanities can apply for the same. Students with relevant work experience can apply for the course as well.

University of Nottingham - University of Nottingham offers one of the best programs for those students who have an interest in nutrition and food. The 4 years full-time course in Food and Nutrition is one of the best courses in food science in the UK.

Sheffield Hallam University - Sheffield Hallam University offers a one-year and 15 months Master's program in Food and Nutrition Science. The university has intakes in January and September and the course fee with placement is £16,095, and the fee without work placement is £14,895.

Course Curriculum for Masters in Food Science and technology in the UK

The Masters in Food Science and Technology in the UK has a very well-planned and restructured curriculum. The faculty of the universities make sure that the course modules are current, and remain on par with modern-day changes. The courses are designed in a way to provide only the best to the students.

The Master's program in Food Science and Technology has modules that make it easy for both students and faculty to structure and implement the learning process. The curriculum or the number of modules or even the topics can vary from one course to another. However, some of the common subjects/topics students can expect are listed below.

• Food safety management
• Food technology
• Food product development
• Food chemistry and biochemistry
• Nutrition
• Food science and innovation
• Food hygiene and management

Eligibility Criteria for Masters in Food Science and technology in the UK

The eligibility criteria for master's programs in Food Science and Technology in the UK can vary from one university to another. However, some of the basic requirements remain the same. Students can always get the complete checklist of the eligibility criteria on the official website of the concerned university. 

Some of the basic requirements universities in the UK look forward to are,

• An undergraduate or bachelor's degree with a GPA of a minimum of 2.75
• An updated copy of your resume with clear mention of skills, achievements, and work experience if any.
• English language test scores
• Passport
• Student Visa

Now that we learned about basic eligibility, let us have a look at the admission requirements and the admission process.

Admission Requirements for Masters in Food Science and technology in the UK

The admission requirements for the Master in Food Science and Technology in the UK vary based on the course. Other than the basic eligibility, the students should also provide the below-mentioned documents.

• Valid certificates of academic qualifications 
• Scorecards for English language tests like TOEFL or IELTS
• Letter of work experience (if any)
• Letter of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• Proof of funding
• An updated resume

Students need to make sure to have all the above-mentioned documents ready before proceeding with the application online. 

Admission Process for Masters in Food Science and technology in the UK

The admission process for Masters in Food Science and technology in the UK is online for international students. Students need to be aware of the admission timelines and make sure to apply with the documents required before the given deadline. 

• Pick the right course and find the best university that offers the course. Make sure to check the eligibility criteria and the documents needed. Once you have them all, you can proceed with the application.
• Fill in all the details in the online application, and pay the required application fee.
• Once done you will be asked to submit the documents. Submit the documents and wait to hear from them about the application status. 
• Most universities have a 2 round admission process with the online application being the 1st round and an online face-to-face interview being the 2nd round.
• Once the application is approved, the university will send an email confirming the same and will let you know about the interview process. Acknowledge the same and prepare for the interview. 
• Once the student passes the interview, he/she will receive a letter of acceptance from the university. Accept the same before the deadline given.
• Students can now apply for a student visa and start making preparations for their travel. 

Cost of Studying for a Masters in Food Science and technology in the UK

The overall cost of studying Masters in Food Science and technology in the UK includes the pre-admission costs like the application fee, the fees paid for the English language tests, and the traveling charges.

The other charges include the tuition fees, which can range between GBP 10,000 to GBP 25,000 based on the program and the university. Most universities also provide a discount or a scholarship for international students.

The other cost students need to be aware of is the cost of living. On average, international students spend about GBP 1000 to GBP 1500 on rent, utilities, food, travel, books, etc every month. 

Scholarship for Masters in Food Science and technology in the UK

Students who wish to pursue a Masters in Food Science and technology in the UK can also avail of discounts and scholarships that are awarded to international students based on various factors. Listed below are a few scholarships for international students.

Job Scope for Masters in Food Science and technology in the UK

The job scope for students who have completed their Masters in Food Science and Technology in the UK depends entirely on their objectives and interests. Students can find excellent job opportunities in the food industry, small-medium scale food businesses, social enterprises, government organizations that deal with food manufacturing and agriculture, food safety, media, and broadcast, or even in third-sector organizations. 

The average salary for professionals is £21,909 and for non-professionals is £15,600.

A few job profiles along with the average salary are listed below.