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MSc FOOD SYSTEMS

  • Year of entry
    2022
  • Course duration
    Full Time: 24 months
  • Year of entry
    2022
  • Course duration
    Full Time: 24 months
View all

COVID-19 update


Find out about how we'll be delivering our courses in 2020.

Develop a deep knowledge of the food system – and study at three academic institutions across Europe – with our MSc in Food Systems course.

This new master’s programme has been launched in collaboration with EiT Food, Europe’s leading food innovation initiative, which works to make the food system more sustainable, healthy and trusted.

Gain advanced understanding of the food system

The programme aims to give you knowledge of the food system in its entirety. You will:

  • identify short-term and long-term consequences of decisions involving different components of the food chain
  • translate innovations into feasible business solutions
  • explore and generate new ideas in response to current and future challenges
  • use knowledge, ideas and technology to create new or improved products, services, processes, policies, business models or jobs
  • apply cutting-edge research, processes and techniques towards new venture creation and growth in cross-disciplinary contexts
  • transform practical experiences in the food sector into research problems and challenges.

Learn from industry experts through a variety of interactive lectures and seminars, practical laboratory classes, case study-based learning, group work and online learning.

Study across three European countries with MSc in Food Systems

We offer three pathway options on this programme, all starting at the University of Reading (your home university) in September 2020.

You will study four semesters in total, split over two years. Study your first semester at Reading before going to study further semesters with two host universities, then returning to Reading to complete your degree. Details of the pathway options can be found in the 'what will you study?' section of this page.

Current host universities include:

  • University of Hohenheim
  • University of Torino
  • University of Warsaw
  • Queen's University of Belfast.

For more information, please visit the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences website.

Overview

This new master’s programme has been launched in collaboration with EiT Food, Europe’s leading food innovation initiative, which works to make the food system more sustainable, healthy and trusted.

Gain advanced understanding of the food system

The programme aims to give you knowledge of the food system in its entirety. You will:

  • identify short-term and long-term consequences of decisions involving different components of the food chain
  • translate innovations into feasible business solutions
  • explore and generate new ideas in response to current and future challenges
  • use knowledge, ideas and technology to create new or improved products, services, processes, policies, business models or jobs
  • apply cutting-edge research, processes and techniques towards new venture creation and growth in cross-disciplinary contexts
  • transform practical experiences in the food sector into research problems and challenges.

Learn from industry experts through a variety of interactive lectures and seminars, practical laboratory classes, case study-based learning, group work and online learning.

Study across three European countries with MSc in Food Systems

We offer three pathway options on this programme, all starting at the University of Reading (your home university) in September 2020.

You will study four semesters in total, split over two years. Study your first semester at Reading before going to study further semesters with two host universities, then returning to Reading to complete your degree. Details of the pathway options can be found in the 'what will you study?' section of this page.

Current host universities include:

  • University of Hohenheim
  • University of Torino
  • University of Warsaw
  • Queen's University of Belfast.

For more information, please visit the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences website.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for 2022 entry have not yet been confirmed. Entry requirements for 2021 entry were:

Entry qualification

Applicants are typically required to have at least a lower second-class honours degree in a pure or applied science (or equivalent from a university outside the UK). Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning may be considered based on relevant work and other experience. For MSc Nutrition and Food Science, your degree should have a significant element of biological science.

Language requirements

An overall score of 6.5 in the International English Language Test Score (IELTS) with no individual element scoring less than 5.5.

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

To apply for this programme, please contact EiT Food.

Structure

The programme is comprised of 240 credits, allocated across a range of compulsory and optional modules from the University of Reading and associated partner universities.

Semester 1

Compulsory modules (offered by University of Reading)

  • Understanding and Influencing Consumer Behaviour
  • Introduction to Food Systems
  • Food Systems Summer School

Optional modules (offered by University of Reading)

  • Nutrition Concepts
  • Lifestyle, Nutrigenetics and Personalised Nutrition
  • Microbes in Health and Disease 

Semester 2 (offered by your first host university)

Study further food systems modules and take part in a summer school on entrepreneurship with all other students enrolled on the programme.

Semester 3 (offered by your second host university
)

Complete a semester-long Market Feasibility Study, along with further food systems modules.

Semester 4

Compulsory modules (offered by University of Reading)

  • Emerging Technologies Business Case Study
  • Postgraduate Research Project. This thesis will be mentored by a mixed team of EIT food partners from industrial, academic and research organisations.

The credits for semesters 2 and 3 will be taken from the partner universities, with students selecting one of the following pathways within the programme: AgriFood Technology and Food Safety, Functional Foods and Food System Management or Food Safety and Food Systems Management.

Please note: the host universities may vary according to which pathway you choose.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £TBC (to be confirmed for 2022 entry) per year

New international students: £TBC (to be confirmed for 2022 entry) per year

Tuition fee information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

For more information about fees for this programme, visit the EIT Food Master in Food Systems webpage.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Scholarships

You may apply for a scholarship when you apply for your chosen master's programmes. EIT Food offers various scholarships based on a combination of academic skills, professional background, and affinity with innovation and entrepreneurship. For further information, please visit the EIT application portal.

 


Careers

Our MSc in Food Systems course is ideal if you want to pursue a career in the food industry or food-related research.

Watch a video tour of Whiteknights campus

Apply now


Apply for MSc Food Systems on the EiT website.

Related Courses

  • MSc Food Science
    Full Time: 12 months | Part Time: 24 months
  • MSc Food Technology - Quality Assurance
    Full Time: 12 months | Part Time: 24 months
  • MSc Nutrition and Food Science
    Full Time: 12 months | Part Time: 24 months
  • MSc Sustainable Food Quality for Health
    Flexible:36-72 months
View all Food and Nutritional Sciences courses
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  • Nutrition
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  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
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Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
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  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
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  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
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  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
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  • Real Estate and Planning
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Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

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