Food Technology

In the Master's program in Food Technology, you will deepen the analytical and methodological skills from your bachelor's program, based on your scientific and engineering foundation. You will deal with process engineering, product-specific and technological processes of food production as well as with the requirements and quality criteria of food. You will learn to design modern, environmentally friendly, and industrial manufacturing processes, design production plants, control product properties from analytical and sensory points of view, develop innovative products and find new strategies for preserving food. In addition to the focal points of process engineering, process automation and food technology, you will find a wide range of elective modules. This allows you to specialize in a particular field and to learn and consolidate your independent scientific work in research-oriented topics. You will apply this knowledge to your Master's thesis at the end of your studies.

After completing your Master’s program, a job market with excellent career prospects is open to you. You will find interesting jobs primarily in the food industry, but also in the beverage, chemical and pharmaceutical industries as well as plant engineering. Thanks to their broad-based education, graduates can be employed in a wide variety of fields. The following fields of activity are possible for you:

• Development of new, innovative, sustainable products and processes
• Planning and development of new production facilities and manufacturing processes
• The organization, monitoring, and optimization of production processes
• Quality assurance during ongoing production operations
• Monitoring of food production processes
• Operational control, production management or technical management in food processing plants
• University or industrial research and development
• Purchase and evaluation of raw materials
• Logistics and warehouse management

At the end of your studies, you also have the option of continuing your academic career with a doctorate.

The master's degree program in food technology combines engineering and natural sciences - so you are prepared for the modern production of innovative foods. Compulsory modules in the field of engineering sciences include automation and control technology, process engineering and scientific computing. In the subject-specific, scientific specialization, the focus is on food process engineering and in-depth chapters in food technology, for example. Here, the combination of process engineering and food technology content crystallizes.

You can take 50 of your 120 credits through elective modules and thus develop your individual interests. You can collect these credits not only through lectures, but also by choosing from a wide range of laboratory practicals and industrial and research internships, thus gaining a practical connection to the theory.

We are also happy to support you in the selection and supervision of research topics for a research internship that contributes to your individual profile. You can also organize your studies flexibly and, for example, gain additional experience and skills by spending a semester abroad.

At the end of your studies, you will write your Master's thesis on a topic of your own choice. You show that you can scientifically work on complex food technology issues, evaluate and present the results. Here, too, you will be supervised by our internationally recognized lecturers and professors. You can also work on and write your thesis in English.

Interested? Just take a look at an exemplary curriculum!

As a graduate in the field of food technology, you will have acquired broad knowledge in the areas of process engineering and food technology in addition to a sound education in the natural sciences and engineering. You will be able to combine your acquired specialist knowledge from all areas and apply it in a solution-focused manner. After completing your studies, you will be familiar with the biological-chemical properties of foods, their ingredients, and the process and process engineering requirements of production.

You will be able to plan the production of food, develop new production processes and plants, optimize existing production methods, produce food by fermentation, design food packaging, develop innovative products, ensure the quality of food and assess it microbially, chemically-technically and through sensory analysis.

All students have to pay a semester fee for the student union (Studierendenwerk).

++ NEW ++ International students from third countries, i.e. countries that do not belong to the European Economic Area, will be charged tuition fees as of winter semester 2024/25.
All information on fee levels, waivers and scholarship programs can be found on the website on tuition fees for international students.

During the application period, you can easily apply for a place in the winter semester via the application portal TUMonline. You simply upload your documents for admission to the degree program in Food Technology directly to the portal.

To apply, you need a qualified bachelor's degree of at least six semesters or an at least equivalent degree in the fields of food technology, brewing and beverage technology, pharmaceutical bioprocess engineering, life sciences nutrition science, or a comparable course of study at a German or foreign university.

In a subsequent aptitude assessment, we will check whether you have the necessary prerequisites and motivation for the program.

The admissions process is described in the appendix to the Academic and Examination Regulations of the program.

• General Academic and Examination Regulations at TUM (APSO)
• Academic and Examination Regulations (FPSO)
  • Academic and Examination Regulations 20221 (from start of degree program WS 22/23)
  • Academic and Examination Regulations 20191 (from start of degree program WS 19/20)

• Examination dates & registration via TUMonline

  Important: You can only take most of the exams if you have actively registered yourself via TUMonline within the registration period. The registration and deregistration period will be displayed at the exam date.

• Further examination matters
  • Academic progress check
  • Examinations
  • Recognitions
  • Theses
• Board of Examination

The board of examination is a committee consisting of university professors and lecturers of the degree program. The chairperson of the board of examination of your degree program is Prof. Dr. Ing. Heiko Briesen. Applications to the board of examination are received by the secretary and submitted to the board of examination for decision. You can reach the secretary by sending an email to examination.co(at)ls.tum.de.