Food Sciences is an internationally appreciated field of education and food research at the University of Helsinki has been highly ranked. The food industry is the 4th most important employer both in Finland and internationally, and is constantly looking for experts to solve new problems.
The Master's Programme in Food Sciences offers a broad education that enables you to make an impact on the creation of innovative solutions for the whole chain of food production.
Upon graduation, you will be able to help the food industry develop and renew itself since you will possess know-how on:
With a Master’s degree in Food Sciences, you can embark on a career in the food industry; in a food, agricultural or environmental control laboratory; as a teacher, researcher, or self-employed entrepreneur; or as an expert in government ministries or other expert organisations.
Teaching is in English, but you can also complete the programme in Finnish or Swedish.
The scope of the Master's degree is 120 credits (ECTS). Together with your faculty adviser/guiding teacher, you will make a personal study plan consisting of:
The Master's Programme in Food Sciences covers the whole food production chain from primary production via food processing to consumers.
You explore innovations in food and how to improve the healthiness, safety, ecology and ethics of food and food processing. You also learn laboratory working skills and increase your knowledge of food composition, processing, structure and legislation.
You can affect the sort of expertise you would like to gain and tailor your Master’s degree based on your interests. You can also include career planning, an internship and studies abroad in your Master’s degree.
The Master's Programme in Food Sciences covers the whole food production chain from primary production via food processing to consumers.
Your masters' studies in food sciences will enable you to make an impact on the creation of innovative solutions for the whole chain of food production. You will:
You can affect the sort of expertise you would like to gain. You can tailor your Master’s degree by choosing special studies in food chemistry, food technology, and in the science and technology relating to meat, dairy and cereals.
You can also complement your expertise in food sciences with, for example, studies in food development, food safety, food research and analysis, economics, marketing, sustainable food production, microbiology, biotechnology or nutrition.
In the Studies service, you can explore the degree structure, content and learning outcomes from the level of the degree programme to individual courses.
You can affect the sort of expertise you would like to gain by tailoring your Master’s degree by choosing special studies in food chemistry, food technology, and in the science and technology relating to meat, dairy and cereals.
You can also complement your expertise in food sciences with, for example, studies in food development, food safety, food research and analysis, economics, marketing, sustainable food production, microbiology, biotechnology or nutrition.
During your courses, you will:
You can check out courses in the online course catalogue for University of Helsinki students. Note that some of the courses are arranged only every other year. Finnish courses are offered for international students.
A Master’s thesis (30 credits) is included in your degree. Your thesis should consist of a review of the existing literature and an experimental section. In the Master's Programme in Food Sciences, you can often complete your thesis within a research group or in collaboration with the food industry.
When you pose the question addressed in your thesis, your goal should be to acquire new understanding of an issue and to develop your own problem-solving skills. The topic of your thesis might also be the development of a new technology or product. In terms of methodology, your thesis can be based on chemistry, physics, technology, biochemistry, microbiology or sensory science.
Doing your Master’s thesis will train you in scientific thinking, analysis of problems, development of explanatory models and hypotheses, planning experiments and working in the laboratory and/or making pilot-plant experiments, and presenting your research results and your critical discussion.
The best way to know more about the Master's Programme in Food Sciences is through our students and graduates!
In the student and alumni stories, they give their insights about the programme, their studies and life in Helsinki, career paths or plans and much more.
Student life and especially the student organisation culture is exceptionally rich and diverse in Finland.
At the University of Helsinki, more than 250 student organisations operate within the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY), ranging from faculty and subject organisations to political and societal organisations, and from choirs and orchestras to sports and game clubs. Their activities include anniversary celebrations, academic dinner parties, cultural events, get-togethers and excursions.
Students in Finland are also entitled to many benefits and services. For example, affordable student housing, low-cost sports services and student-priced meals. You also get numerous discounts, for example on public transport fees across the country.
The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry is located at Viikki Campus, an international hub of life sciences hosting several faculties, institutes, research projects and network organisations. There's also a veterinary teaching hospital, a research farm, an arboretum, a greenhouse and a research field.
The faculties of Viikki Campus have several research stations in Finland offering excellent facilities and support for research and teaching.