Three students doing practical work in the laboratory

Food Processing (Master)

Method and Specialisation in research competence

As a consecutive and research-oriented study programme, the Master's degree in Food Processing aims in particular to deepen the methodological and research skills of graduates. As an interdisciplinary study programme, it combines aspects of Natural Sciences, Engineering and Business Sciences.

The study programme is designed to enable graduates to work effectively and independently on complex research-oriented tasks in the various areas of the food industry, cosmetics and pharmaceutical technology, the chemical and environmental technology industry and related areas, as well as in authorities, universities and institutes, national and international organisations.

At a glance
Degree Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Type of programme Campus-based programme
Start of study programme Winter semester
Summer semester
Language of instructions German
Standard duration 3 semester
Free of Admission Restriction No
ECTS-Punkte 90 ECTS

Graduates of a Bachelor's degree in Food Technology or a related field of study who would like to continue their education in greater depth and enjoy research and development are just right for the Master's degree in Food Processing. In addition, a doctoral degree in cooperation with a partner university can be pursued after completing the Master's programme in Food Processing.

Your profile

  • You want to specialise in the field of food technology.
  • You enjoy research.
  • You enjoy working in small study groups.
  • You are looking for university studies in which you can set individual specialisations through an extensive offer of compulsory elective modules.

Your conditions

  • You have a Bachelor's degree with a grade of 2.5 or better.
  • You have a Bachelor's degree in food technology with 210 ECTS credits (application possible from 168 ECTS credits).
  • Alternatively, you have a Bachelor's degree in a related field of study with 210 ECTS credits (application possible from 168 ECTS credits; note: study requirements possible).
  • Alternatively, you have a Bachelor's degree with 180 ECTS credits (application possible from 144 ECTS credits; note: study requirements of 30 ECTS credits necessary).
  • Information on the requirements for prospective international students can be found on the "Graduate admissions" website.

We support you

Do you have a Bachelor's degree in a similar study programme? We will support you with the transition to our Master's in Food Processing. The targeted selection of study requirements (modules from the Bachelor's programmes) will help you to compensate for any knowledge gaps and complete the Master's successfully.

The Master's programme in Food Processing has a modular structure and starts in the summer and winter semesters. The standard duration of studies, including the Master's thesis, is 3 semesters (90 ECTS credits). In the case of a Bachelor's degree with 180 ECTS credits instead of 210 ECTS credits, the standard duration of studies is extended to 4 semesters.

During your university studies, you will deepen your knowledge and competences in the disciplines of natural sciences, process engineering, food technology and business sciences. There are no prescribed specialisations. You can design your own profile through the high proportion of compulsory elective modules.

You will find the range of modules in the following table.

Compulsory modulesCompulsory elective modules
Food ProcessingHealth-related aspects of food processing and product development
Biochemistry and molecular biologyIndustrial Microbiology
Product DesignBusiness management decision-making elements
Physics and foodRisk management
Mathematics decision elements and data analysis 1Strategic management
Specialisation in animal or plant-based food technologyBiotechnology / bioprocess engineering
 Process modelling
 Specialisations in pharmaceutical technology
 Specialisations in food chemistry
 Food Packaging and Transportation
 Software-based simulation of food processing procedures
 Mathematics decision elements and data analysis 2
 Business management decision elements


You will complete the Master's thesis in the 3rd semester mainly at the university or at other research institutions. Detailed information on the programme can be found in the module overview and the module handbook (see Downloads).

The university studies provide students with in-depth knowledge and competences in the disciplines of natural sciences, process engineering, food technology and business sciences. There are no prescribed specialisations in the university studies; individual profile development is ensured by the high proportion of compulsory elective modules.

Evidence of a first degree qualifying for entry into a profession in food technology or a related discipline with a high food-related component totalling 210 credits and an average grade of 2.5 or better. If less than 210 ECTS credits are available, the missing ECTS credits must be supplemented by completing modules from the study programmes of the Department of Food Technology. If the degree was passed with a grade worse than 2.5, the applicant may be admitted to the Master's degree programme on application by providing evidence of very good food-related specialist knowledge. Evidence of this must be provided in a personal aptitude interview in front of two professors from the department. Applicants who are not graduates of a Bachelor's programme in food technology may be required to take modules from the department's study programmes.

For the part-time option, evidence of relevant part-time occupation of 19 hours per week must be provided.

With German educational certificates: 15 April to 30 September; with foreign educational certificates: 1 March to 30 September
With German educational certificates: 15 October to 31 March; with foreign educational certificates: 1 September to 31 March

Management career in industry or academic research

The Master's degree in Food Processing qualifies you for a management career in the food processing industry, advisory services, the higher civil service and in research and academia.

Our graduates can also pursue careers in related fields such as cosmetics and pharmaceutical technology, the chemical and environmental technology industries as well as in authorities, affiliated institutes and universities, national and international organisations.

The main fields of work of our graduates are

  • Planning, controlling and monitoring complex production processes and their management
  • Management tasks in the area of quality assurance and management
  • Coordination and management of development and optimisation processes at both product and process level

Due to its research-oriented focus, the Master's degree also offers you a good starting position for a subsequent doctoral degree.

Students and alumni share their experiences Impressions from the study program

I was particularly impressed by the variety of subjects on offer and the opportunity to choose freely from a range of compulsory elective modules. This allows you to personalise your university studies and I was able to add food technology, pharmaceuticals and business sciences to the biotechnology content I learnt in my Bachelor's degree.

Profilbild von Mara Lindner
Mara Lindner, Master's programme Food Processing

I chose this Master's degree here in Fulda because I had already had very good experiences with the university during my Bachelor's degree and I was interested in the content of this postgraduate degree programme. In terms of content, students are also very strongly integrated into the lectures through group work, coursework, smaller research projects or presentations.

Profilbild von Benedikt Kirsch
Benedikt Kirsch, Master's programme Food Processing

I chose the Master's in Food Processing at Fulda University of Applied Sciences because I wanted to specialise and expand my knowledge in the field of food technology after completing my Bachelor's programme in Nutritional, Food and Consumer Sciences. The courses offered are interesting and have a high practical orientation, so I feel well prepared for a job in the food industry. I particularly like the small study groups, which enable intensive learning in dialogue with the professors.

Profilbild von Kirsten Jacke
Kirsten Jacke, Master's programme Food Processing

More about the subject

Your Department

The study programme is taught at the Department of Food Technology. Find out more about your new environment, the teaching and your future professors on the department's website.

To the LT department

Need help?

Katrin Ehlert

Programme Coordinator

10 good reasons for Fulda

Study in the centre of Germany

Is that something for me?

The Central University Administration student advisory service will be happy to help you

How and where do I apply?

All information about the application at a glance