Food Technology

Food Technology, M.Sc.

  • Application Deadline
  • 24 months
    Duration
Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven
To fulfill its nutritional destiny, food must be both safely produced and safely delivered to its end consumer. This requires, on the one hand, processing technologies for converting edible raw materials into foods with decreased inherent stability, and, on the other, preservation technologies for increasing the stability and shelf life of foods.

About

The Interuniversity Programme in Food Technology (IUPFOOD) focuses on two technological dimensions of prime and crucial importance in food processing and preservation:

  • the transformation (processing) of raw materials into products suited for human consumption
  • the role of postharvest and food preservation unit operations in delivering safe and nutritious foods to the end consumer.

These two concerns are directly translated in the focus points of the IUPFOOD programme.

The InterUniversity Programme in Food Technology (IUPFOOD) is jointly organised by KU Leuven and Ghent University (UGent). The programme builds on KU Leuven’s and UGent’s combined expertise in research and education in the field of food technology.

Career perspectives

IUPFOOD's objective is to offer a programme that takes the specific needs and approaches of developing countries into account. The IUPFOOD programme prepares graduates for various tasks, including teaching and research. IUPFOOD alumni are mainly active in the following sectors:

  • academic institutions (as teaching and/or research staff)
  • research institutes (as research staff)
  • nongovernmental organisations (in different capacities)
  • governmental institutes (e.g. in research programmes, quality surveillance programmes or national nutritional programmes)
  • private industry (in particular jobs related to quality control)
Questions about student life in Belgium, life at KU Leuven or more information about a specific course? Chat with our students: www.kuleuven/be/chatwithourstudents.

Programme Structure

The Master of Science in Food Technology (120 ECTS) consists of four major segments:

  • In-depth education segment (60 ECTS)
  • Specialisation segment (18 ECTS)
  • Elective courses segment (12 ECTS)
  • Master’s thesis segment (30 ECTS) 

In the first year of the Master's programme, students will spend the first semester in Ghent and the second semester in Leuven. The second stage courses of the majors 'Postharvest and Food Preservation Engineering' and 'Food Science and Technology' are taught respectively at KU Leuven and UGent; at both universities, optional courses and thesis research topics are offered.

Detailed Programme Facts

English Language Requirements

  • Minimum required score:

    6.5

    The IELTS – or the International English Language Test System – tests your English-language abilities (writing, listening, speaking, and reading) on a scale of 1.00–9.00. The minimum IELTS score requirement refers to which Overall Band Score you received, which is your combined average score. Read more about IELTS.

    Schedule IELTS

  • Minimum required score:

    79

    The TOEFL iBT ® measures your English-language abilities in an academic setting. The test has four sections (reading, listening, speaking, and writing), each with a score range of 0-30, for a total score range of 0-120. Read more about TOEFL iBT ®.

    Schedule TOEFL®

Academic Requirements

  • This programme does not recognise GRE® scores.

    The GRE® General Test is a widely administered admissions test that measures the skills needed in today's graduate and business school programs worldwide. The GRE® General Test contains three sections - Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. Three scores are reported: a Verbal Reasoning score on a 130 - 170 score scale in one-point increments, a Quantitative Reasoning score on a 130 - 170 score scale in one-point increments, and an Analytical Writing score on a 0 - 6 score scale in half-point increments.

General Requirements

  • International applicants must have obtained an academic Bachelor of Science degree (in countries in the South typically a 4-year programme) in a discipline related to the content of the programme from a recognized University, College or Institute. 
  • Candidates are expected to have basic science training (demonstrable in the transcripts) in the following fields: mathematics and statistics, physics and engineering, chemistry and biochemistry, biology and microbiology. 
  • They must have obtained their degree with an end result of at least second class upper or equivalent.
  • Each application is evaluated by the Educational Committee for admission.
For more information, please visit the homepage of the programme.

Tuition Fee

  • International

    938 EUR/year
    Tuition Fee
    Based on the original amount of 938 EUR per year and a duration of 24 months.

  • EU/EEA

    938 EUR/year
    Tuition Fee
    Based on the original amount of 938 EUR per year and a duration of 24 months.
We've labeled the tuition fee that applies to you because we think you are from and prefer over other currencies.

Living costs for Leuven

  • 810 - 1280 EUR/month
    Living Costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Check the programme website for information about funding options.

Studyportals Tip: Students can search online for independent or external scholarships that can help fund their studies. Check the scholarships to see whether you are eligible to apply. Many scholarships are either merit-based or needs-based.

Food Technology
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