Food Science
HAW Hamburg · Hamburg, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
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.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Funktionalität von Lebensmittelinhaltsstoffen (7 ECTS)
- Technologie der Lebensmittelverarbeitung I und II (5 ECTS)
- Technologie der Lebensmittelverarbeitung Praktikum (3 ECTS)
- Nachhaltigkeit (5 ECTS)
- Angewandte Statistik (5 ECTS)
- Angewandte Mathematik (5 ECTS)
- Lebensmittel-Innovationsmarketing (5 ECTS)
- Sensorische Wahrnehmung und Verbraucherakzeptanz (5 ECTS)
- Innovative Produktentwicklung (5 ECTS)
- Projekt Lebensmittelinnovation (5 ECTS)
- European and International Food Law (5 ECTS)
- Mikrobiologie und Toxikologie (5 ECTS)
- Industrielle Produktionsprozesse (5 ECTS)
- Ernährung und Ernährungsforschung (5 ECTS)
- Qualitätsmanagement (3 ECTS)
- Lebensmittelanalytik und Qualitätssicherung (5 ECTS)
- Lebensmittelanalytik und Qualitätssicherung Praktikum (2 ECTS)
- Verpackungs- und Logistiksysteme (5 ECTS)
- Management und Führung (5 ECTS)
- Master-Thesis (30 ECTS)
- Consolidation of the programme learning outcomes through an independent thesis project
- Thesis work based on knowledge and methods built across the first three semesters
Curriculum
120 ECTS (Credit Points, CP) for the four-semester M.Sc. Food Science programme.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 5 modules | Funktionalität von Lebensmittelinhaltsstoffen | 7 | 30 |
| Technologie der Lebensmittelverarbeitung | 8 | |||
| Nachhaltigkeit | 5 | |||
| Angewandte Statistik | 5 | |||
| Angewandte Mathematik | 5 | |||
| Semester 2 | 6 modules | Lebensmittel-Innovationsmarketing | 5 | 30 |
| Sensorische Wahrnehmung und Verbraucherakzeptanz | 5 | |||
| Innovative Produktentwicklung | 5 | |||
| Projekt Lebensmittelinnovation | 5 | |||
| European and International Food Law | 5 | |||
| Mikrobiologie und Toxikologie | 5 | |||
| Semester 3 | 5 modules | Industrielle Produktionsprozesse | 5 | 30 |
| Ernährung und Ernährungsforschung | 5 | |||
| Lebensmittelanalytik und Qualität | 10 | |||
| Verpackungs- und Logistiksysteme | 5 | |||
| Management und Führung | 5 | |||
| Semester 4 | 1 module | Master-Thesis | 30 | 30 |
| Total | All modules across Semesters 1–4 including Master-Thesis | 120 ECTS | ||
Career outcomes
- You build advanced research and methods skills in food science, helping you qualify for scientific or applied research roles in the food sector and related institutes.
- You develop specialist competence across the full food process chain, from raw materials to finished packaged products, preparing you for technical and problem-solving work in food processing companies.
- You strengthen decision-making for safer and more sustainable food production by combining topics such as sustainability, microbiology and toxicology, and food quality assurance.
- You gain applied, industry-relevant skills in product innovation and food law, positioning you for careers that involve development, regulation, and cross-functional project work.
- You train analytical and quality competencies through modules including food analysis and quality assurance plus practical components, supporting roles in quality management and laboratory-oriented functions.
- You add management and leadership capability to your food-science profile, giving you an advantage for specialist-to-lead career progression in production, innovation, and quality teams.
Employability rate
Food Science graduates in Germany typically see an employability rate of around 86% and an unemployment rate of about 14%, reflecting ongoing hiring needs in food production, quality, and product innovation.
Together, these figures point to a stable career outlook with reliable opportunities for graduates in food-industry and applied research environments.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | International applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree in nutrition/dietetics or process engineering, or a first degree in a related/relevant subject worth at least 180 credit points. A Diploma Supplement or Transcript of Records is required as part of the application. |
Language requirements
International applicants must demonstrate German proficiency at B2 level or above using a recognised language test. They must also provide proof of English proficiency at B2 level as stipulated in the General Admissions Regulations (HAWAZO).
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
Other accepted proofs
Exam / assessment
| Component | Required? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| GRE (Graduate Record Examination) | conditional | Applicants who obtained their first degree outside the EU are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). |
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Semester fee | EUR 397 / per semester | Semester contribution (winter semester 2026/27): €397.00 total, including Studierendenwerk, Students' Union (AStA), semester ticket and administrative fee. |
Proof of financial resources
To study in Germany, you must show you can cover your living costs and study-related expenses. For the visa/residence permit process, follow the amount and proof method published by the official German immigration guidance for blocked account requirements and document submission.
- Proof of sufficient funds for living costs for Germany, submitted according to official German immigration guidance
- Blocked account or equivalent financial proof method as required by the official German visa/residence permit process
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | June - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | June 01, 2026 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | July 15, 2026 |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A |
| Semester begins | October 01, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | June - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | June - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | July 15, 2026 |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Prepare your foreign qualifications and eligibility review
International applicants must have their certificates checked in advance and request a VPD (preliminary review documentation) for the application. Ensure your prior degree meets the stated entry requirements (including the 180 credit points minimum for relevant degrees) and prepare your Diploma Supplement/Transcript of Records. If your degree is not finished at the time of application, get the certificate showing which exams you have completed and which you still need to take.
Collect language proofs and any conditional exams
Plan language testing early: German proficiency must be B2 or above via a recognised language test (TestDaF, DSH, or ZOP). You also need English proof at B2 level as stipulated in HAWAZO. If your first degree was obtained outside the EU, you must also take the GRE.
Apply online during the published winter-semester window
The program admits students for the winter semester only, and the application period is 1 June to 15 July. Complete the application form at myHAW and upload all necessary documents there during the application period. HAW Hamburg states that documents are uploaded online (no paper submission is required).