Food Science
This M. Sc. degree course in Food Science, centring on both research and practical application, spans a number of academic disciplines, fusing knowledge and skills in technology, physics, sensory systems, biology, physiology and markets into solid foundations for a profound and expert awareness of issues around the processing and production of foodstuffs.
As a food expert in training on this course, you’ll learn how to analyse the properties, effects and significance of various foodstuffs for people, as well as preparing for careers in production and R&D in the F&B sector, designing and implementing experimental set-ups, analysing and discussing the results, and translating these findings into practice.
Good reasons to study Food Science at HAW Hamburg
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HAW Hamburg has been running this Master’s degree course in Food Science, with its innovative, real-world-centred and well-balanced curriculum, for over 10 years. We work with numerous Hamburg-based businesses, research institutes and public authorities to ensure our students get hands-on experience and a correspondingly good start in exciting and varied food-sector careers.
The right course for you?
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This Master’s degree course is aimed at graduates in nutrition, dietetics, process engineering and related subjects who want to build on their first degrees and attain advanced competencies in specific areas in preparation for a career in academic or applied research or a specialist or management role.
Course content and structure
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This degree course, four semesters in duration, is intended to build consecutively on a previous (Bachelor’s or equivalent) degree and allow students to expand their research and methodological skills repertoire.
The first three semesters are concerned with communicating foundational knowledge around the foodstuffs process chain, from the raw materials to the finished, packaged food product, while having regard to technical, economic, environmental, legal and physiological aspects of the issue. The fourth semester is spent writing a Master thesis.
Admission requirements
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Essential:
- A first Bachelor’s degree in nutrition/dietetics or process engineering, with a minimum grade of ‘good’ (2.5) in the German system
- OR a first degree in a subject related/relevant to this Master’s degree course (see ‘The right course for you?’ above) worth at least 180 credit points and with a minimum grade of ‘good’ (2.5) in the German system (or equivalent grade)
- Diploma Supplement/Transcript of Records
- International applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in the German language at level B2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) or above via a recognised language test such as TestDaF, DSH or ZOP (Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung)
- International applicants who gained their first degree outside the EU are additionally required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE; see www.gre.org)
- You must have completed practical experience with a duration of at least 16 uninterrupted weeks within or subsequent to an undergraduate degree, or, alternatively, equivalent practical experience directly related or relevant to the degree courses named in the first bullet point above.
Further required documents:
- CV
- Letter of motivation (only required for applicants who did not complete their first degrees at HAW Hamburg)
Further documents you may submit to enhance your application:
- Proof of outstanding achievements in the context of relevant practical experience
International applicants
If you completed your schooling/first degree outside Germany and want to study here for a Master’s degree, you will need to send your qualification certificates to the organisation uni-assist so it can establish their validity and comparability with the German system. More details about HAW Hamburg’s application criteria are available here: www.haw-hamburg.de/international/internationale-studierende/master-bewerber/bewerbungsvoraussetzungen.html
Application process
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The degree course admits students for the winter semester only. The application period is 1 June to 15 July.
Applications for all Master's courses must be submitted online. The online application system is only activated during the application period. It is not possible to apply outside of this time. You can find more information at Applying for a Master's degree course.
Alternatively, you can contact master-application(@)haw-hamburg.de
Contact the Student Center
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Applications and admissions:
HAW Master's Degree Course Admissions Office
Stiftstrasse 69, 20099 Hamburg (Berliner Tor Campus)
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-9898
master-application(@)haw-hamburg.de
Office hours:
Drop-in office hours: Monday/Tuesday: 11:00 am–1:00 pm; Thursday: 2:00–5:00 pm
Infothek opening hours: Monday–Thursday: 10:00 am–4:00 pm; Friday: 10:00 am–1:00 pm
Telephone office hours: Moday/Tuesday, 9:00–10:00 am; Thursday: 9:00–11:00 am
Due to the restrictions resulting from the corona pandemic, drop-in office hours are not being offered at the moment. You can reach us by telephone during these times. The Infothek is closed until further notice.
For general queries about degree courses:
Student Counselling Team (Studienberatung)
Stiftstrasse 69, 20099 Hamburg (Berliner Tor Campus)
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-9110
studienberatung(@)haw-hamburg.de
Advice and information by phone: Monday–Tuesday: 10 am–1 pm; Thursday: 1 pm–5 pm
Contact person for applicants with disabilities or chronic health conditions:
Meike Butenob
Alexanderstrasse 1, 20099 Hamburg, room 4.10
Tel. +49.40.428 75-7220
meike.butenob(@)haw-hamburg.de
Current office hours:www.haw-hamburg.de/inklusion
Contact the department
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For questions about degree course content:
Dr. Karolin Schacht
Ulmenliet 20, R. 0.81, 21033 Hamburg
+49 40 42875-6232
karolin.schacht (@) haw-hamburg.de
Prof. Dr. Sebastian Thiem
Ulmenliet 20, room N5.37, 21033 Hamburg
Tel.: 49.40.42875-6303
sebastian.thiem(@)haw-hamburg.de
At a glance
Degree
No. of semesters
Applications accepted
Language of instruction
Fees/charges
Full-/part-time
Location
Information about this degree course is available in German only.