Food Science & Technology Masters - MSc/PgD/PgC

The MSc Food Science and Technology programme has been restructured to ensure it remains current, and ensures students receive the best possible education whilst studying at Cardiff Met University. As such, themes have been developed throughout the programme whereby modules have been structured to allow clear links between each route and career aspirations.

A number of core modules will remain throughout the first term, however, students will then choose which pathway they wish to take, which will be recorded on their degree transcript. These include:

• Food Science and Technology with Food Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Food Science and Technology with Food Safety Management
• Food Technology Science with Food Innovation and Product Development

The programme offers placement within the teaching plan after students have successfully completed their taught modules in the first term and obtained an internship/placement approval.​​​

Core Modules include:

• Global Food Safety
• Global Food Quality Management Systems
• Global Food Product Conformity
• Applied Research Methods and Design
• Research Project (dissertation)

Pathway Modules (can only choose ONE pathway and study the core pathway modules only):

• Food Science and Technology with Food Chemistry and Biochemistry
  Food Chemistry and Biochemistry:
  Food Chemistry and Biochemistry Analysis and Examination of Food
• Food Science and Technology with Food Safety Management
  Food Safety Management:
  Crisis Management Risk Perception, Assessment and Communication
• Food Science and Technology with Food Innovation and Development
  Food Product Development:
  Food Product Development Processing Technology

Research Project/Dissertation (60 credits):

A written dissertation is based on a project chosen by the student to reflect their interest in a specific field. All research projects are developed with the guidance of the programme director and an academic project supervisor, assigned based on the field of research chosen.

Students are encouraged to initiate project ideas within areas of interest and/or through existing networks. All ideas will be accompanied by discussions with academic staff, prior to commencement, to ensure projects are both viable and achievable.

Degree Structure:

The degree programme will be taught at the Cardiff Met Llandaff Campus, over one year (12 months) full-time, or two years part-time.

• Term One (Sept – Dec) – 12 weeks’ teaching*
• Term Two (Jan – Mar) – 12 weeks’ teaching*
• Term Three (Apr – May) – 1 week revision, followed by 3 weeks’ examinations (if applicable)
• Summer (June – Sept) – No formal lectures. Students can use this time to conduct research, write up/submit their research dissertation.

*Please note, term durations may alter slightly depending on when national holidays fall.

Full-time programme: 12 months 

The FST MSc programme provides a wide range of support and guidance to students on how to find a placement/internship position and get ready for future career opportunities. As part of the process, students will meet past placement students and get to hear their progress. In addition, students at Cardiff Met get access to the Careers Service, which provides advice on how to find and secure a placement or job. It is the student’s responsibility to search for a suitable and preferred placement, after meeting the pre-requisite of the placement module and approval of their placement. After obtaining internship/placement approval, students can continue their studies while taking the Industry Placement.​

Part-time programme: 24 months for home students

The two-year full-time MSc Food Science and Technology (with work placement/internship in 2nd year) is an opportunity to enhance your knowledge, experience and CV by spending up to one year within a food business. Although Cardiff Met cannot guarantee work placements/ internships, we can provide you with a range of support and guidance on how to find your own internship position.

Lectures provide the opportunity to impart key information and point students in a particular direction for further study. They are also intended to be interactive and debate is encouraged. Lectures are complemented by seminars, tutorials, workshops and practical sessions as a means of helping students to develop analytical and critical appraisal skills. The University offers different online platforms – Moodle where students can access teaching materials online and prepare themselves for the upcoming lecture, and Microsoft Teams where online activities are organised.

There is a strong emphasis on applying the theoretical frameworks to problem-solving which reflects the applied nature of the programme, especially through practical sessions. The programme is designed to prepare students for a career in the food industry.

A range of assessment methods are used to test all aspects of a student’s abilities, including:

• Closed (or open) book examinations
• Written assignments
• Practical/laboratory reports
• Oral presentations (individual/group)
• Case studies
• Posters
• Portfolios
• Research project (dissertation)

The programme provides the potential for graduates to progress within the food industry, retail, government or education. Our past students have found employment in some of the major UK retailers, local regional and international food manufacturers, food laboratories, various sectors of the Government and consultancy advisory roles.

A First-Class Honours degree or Upper Second-Class Honours degree in relevant science and/or technology subjects.

Under certain circumstances, applicants who do not possess a first degree, but who can demonstrate relevant industrial/professional experience in a cognate discipline will also be considered.

International applications are required to satisfy the University’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses.

Selection Procedure:
Applicants who are judged to meet the required threshold for entry, will be invited to engage with a pre-offer task that will enable them to further explain their motivations for choosing the programme, their passion for the subject, and their aptitude and commitment for study at master’s level.

International Applicants:
Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.5 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.

How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made direct to the University via our self-service facility. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.

If you are interested in using credit from another institution, or have obtained qualifications and/or experience to study for a course at Cardiff Met, you can find further information on this as well as information on how to apply on the RPL page.

Tuition Fees and Financial Support:
For up to date information on tuition fees and the financial support that may be available. Please refer to www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/fees.

Part-time Fees:
Charges are per Single Module unless specified:

Undergraduate = 10 Credits; Postgraduate = 20 Credits

Generally we find most students will complete 60 credits per year for both Undergraduate and Postgraduate study; to obtain a true costing please clarify this by contacting the Programme Director directly.

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email directapplications@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

For course specific enquiries, please contact the Programme Director, Dr Anita Setarehnejad at asetarehnejad@cardiffmet.ac.uk.