University of Kassel, Campus Witzenhausen
The course is entirely taught in English. Participants write their Master's theses in English as well.
Applicants with a first academic degree acquired outside of Germany: 1 March in order to allow time for registration, financing, and visa formalities
Applicants with degrees acquired in Germany: 1 September
Please check the website regularly for any changes.
The politics of food in society, which involves manufacturers, retailers, consumers, and health professionals, are complex and continually evolving. Students gain the skills and experience necessary to manage complex processes in the food industry, trade, and the agricultural sector as well as to develop and market food products and related services according to the needs of different consumer groups.
If you are looking for close interaction between students and staff, our programme is the right one for you. Our dynamic postgraduate community, professionally accredited courses, and a supportive learning and research environment make us an excellent choice for your postgraduate studies.
Compulsory modules are:
International Legislation on Consumer Protection and Food introduces the key institutions and related administrative bodies in the EU, the labelling of food products, the legislation for production, distribution or sale of novel or functional food, risk management and risk communication, the barriers to the free flow of goods, and the national food control systems in Europe.
International Organic Food Markets and Marketing provides a framework for developing a marketing strategy and marketing concept on international markets. Students gain an understanding of international organic regulations.
Food Product Development explores stages of product development, quality function deployment, processing and product formulations, food chemistry, manufacturing, food regulations, food additives, product testing, shelf life studies, and factors affecting shelf life.
Project Work provides the opportunity to develop advanced skills in managing research and development projects. In cooperation with external partners, students work on interdisciplinary problems relevant to international food economics and consumer studies.
Food Quality Management addresses the product flow in the food supply chain, business processes in the food industry, conception of risk and product safety, traceability, and implementation.
Recent Developments in Food and Nutritional Sciences covers recent scientific results on food constituents and processing, their physiological effects within various nutritional patterns, and their influence on the quality of raw material and final food products.
Consumer Science and Sustainable Consumption facilitates an understanding of the social and psychological impact on consumer behaviour, the recent developments in consumption, and the deduction of future trends with an emphasis on sustainability.
From a catalogue of business and food modules such as Food Quality and Organic Food Processing, Information Systems for the Food Industry, Innovation Management in the Food Industry, Strategic Management, Responsible and Sustainable Food Business in Global Context, or Post-harvest Technology and Food Quality, three elective modules will be chosen.
The Master's thesis is an individual research study. It enables students to generate and publish scientific data independently. Students usually work in cooperation with external partners.
The course is delivered over four semesters (full-time), starting in October. Teaching is organised on a module-credit basis and is offered over three semesters. The fourth semester is dedicated to the completion of a Master's thesis. Fourteen modules must be completed to finish the programme successfully. A module overview and more detailed information on all subjects are available on the website (www.study-ifbc.de).
Learning methods comprise lectures, workshops, seminars, practical and project work. The Project Work module entails intensive group work as well as teamwork activities.
Each course module is assessed individually; assessment methods may include reports, seminar papers, written examinations, project work, visual and oral presentations, workshops, simulations, and practical exercises.
The unique features of the programme – traditions in project-oriented teaching and work as well as individual contacts between teachers and students - create optimal conditions for excellent learning outcomes in the programme.
The Master's programme is a joint degree offered by two German universities: Fulda University of Applied Sciences (Nutritional, Food and Consumer Sciences) and Kassel University in Witzenhausen (Organic Agricultural Sciences). The main course location is Witzenhausen. Classes are taught weekly in Fulda.
German students are required to earn at least 12 ECTS abroad. Students holding a first degree from a university outside Germany are not expected to spend one semester abroad.
There is no compulsory internship. Programme advisers may assist students in finding appropriate internships.
A semester contribution of around 300 EUR is charged to cover the cost of student services, the student government, an administrative fee as well as the "semester ticket" (a student bus and rail pass for local and regional public transport).
Approx. 850–950 EUR per month incl. food, rent and health insurance (approx. 120 EUR per month), depending on one's living standard
International students may apply for the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship.
The programme attracts students with a wide range of backgrounds, disciplines, and nationalities. Applicants are welcome from academic disciplines in the fields of nutrition, food and consumer sciences, food technology, agricultural science, and/or related fields.
Admission is normally open to applicants with a good undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent overseas degree from a recognised institution) with a "B (upper division) grade" average assessment on the final certificate or an average final grade of at least 2.5 on the German scale.
Applicants whose first language is not English should be able to demonstrate a satisfactory level of spoken and written English and provide proof of their language skills in English (C1 according the CEF or equivalent certificate). Further information can be found at https://www.hs-fulda.de/ifbc/.
Applicants with a first academic degree acquired outside of Germany: 1 March in order to allow time for registration, financing, and visa formalities
Applicants with degrees acquired in Germany: 1 September
Please check the website regularly for any changes.
From tutoring jobs and student assistantships at Fulda University to typical student jobs in restaurants, shops, and many other industries in the city of Fulda and its surrounding area, there is a wide range of job opportunities available.
The International Office offers an accommodation service for international students coming directly from abroad. Costs for accommodation amount to approx. 350–400 EUR/month for a single room in a shared flat or 400–500 EUR/month for a single apartment. There are excellent, newly built student residences within walking distance of the university.
For more information on housing, see: https://www.hs-fulda.de/en/international/international-office/study-in-fulda/first-steps/housing
Career service is provided for international students at both universities; a placement officer on a departmental level offers the students a professional advisory service.
Fulda University of Applied Sciences is a practice-oriented university with an international profile and a strong focus on applied research. Fulda University is the first university of applied sciences in Germany with the independent right to confer doctoral degrees. Founded in 1974, the university currently encompasses eight departments with over 60 study programmes and approx. 8,700 students, including over 1,750 international students from more than 90 countries. The university offers a broad spectrum of academic and professional education. Numerous research and development projects are undertaken in cooperation with private business and industry. Fulda University cooperates with more than 100 universities around the world. The number of international programmes is growing continuously. These programmes are partly or entirely taught in English. At the Bachelor's level, we currently offer four international Bachelor's programmes: "Science & Engineering", "Food Technology", "Global Health", and "International Business & Management". At the Master's level, we offer six programmes: "International Management"; "Intercultural Communication and European Studies"; "International Food Business and Consumer Studies"; "Global Software Development"; "Data Science"; and "Human Rights Studies in Politics, Law, and Society".
Further programmes designed for international students include the following:
A historic city founded in 744, Fulda today has a population of 70,000 with approx. 100,000 people living in the region. Fulda's Baroque quarter is one of the most beautiful in Germany and attracts visitors from all over the world. The picturesque Old Town has many cafés, bars, and pubs, with numerous shops and boutiques. The city's cultural life has something to offer for everyone. The high quality of life makes Fulda a great place to live and an ideal place to study. Fulda enjoys ideal public transport connections. One of Europe's principal international airports, Frankfurt International, is just one hour away by car or direct train. Other major cities in Germany, like Berlin, Munich, Cologne, or Hamburg, are within easy reach and only two to three hours away by train. Even famous European capitals like Paris and Brussels are reachable within five hours by train.
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