Food Technology KU Leuven

Overview

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The Interuniversity Programme in Food Technology (IUPFOOD) is an academic master of science programme that intends to equip its alumni with the scientific, technical and managerial knowledge, skills and attitudes which they require to contribute successfully to solving problems related to food security through the production of safe foods of high quality.

During the first stage of the Master's programme, you will spend the first semester at UGent and the second semester at KU 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. 

After graduation you are equipped to become a food technology professional with the necessary technical and managerial knowledge, skills and attitudes to successfully contribute to solving problems related to food security. The programme focuses particularly on developing countries where food/nutrient security is and will continue to be a major concern and key challenge. 

Strengths

The IUPFOOD programme is a master's programme that builds on KU Leuven’s and UGent’s combined expertise in research and education in the field of food technology. The interuniversity character of the programme, offering two learning environments, creates clear added value which is highly appreciated by students and alumni.

The programme is oriented towards international students with a diverse educational background. The programme structure and content is very well adapted to this diverse educational background of incoming students, including students from the South. The programme structure, the selection criteria used and the availability of refresher courses at the start of the programme remediate for the diverse background of the students.

Alumni, in particular those from the South, consider the programme to be highly relevant for their personal development, their professional career and the development of their home country.

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)