The Food Quality Management master study programme offers an integrated approach to the study and assessment of quality processes in the agrifood chain through an exclusively developed techno-managerial approach. The whole supply chain is studied from the primary sector to the final consumer. Food, flowers and cattle are also discussed. This two-year MSc gives you the chance to analyse problems using both the social and life sciences. This allows you a higher level of approach on the topics of food quality, quality management, quality design, quality control, quality improvement, quality assurance, quality policy and business strategy.
The quality of the food we eat has become of utmost importance over the past decades. We have become more cautious of its features in terms of safety and health. Companies used to be judged solely by their financial performance in the past. At present, the overall quality of performance is most important and acts as a strong factor of competition in the market. Back in the fifties, quality thinking was not expected to have such an impact on food quality management today. The most drastic change seems to be that from production-oriented to customer-oriented thinking.
Food quality management has become a major and interesting topic of research and education. Food quality management is a scientific field in which integration of the essential knowledge disciplines domains is a key issue.
Students with either a managerial or technological background can enrol in this multidisciplinary programme. Students with a managerial backgound need to have at least 30 credits (half year) of advanced science (chemistry, biology, food technology) courses in their BSc (see Admission and Application), or enroll in a pre-master programme.
When admitted students can choose from among a number of clusters of disciplines. These are packages of subjects that provide a deeper knowledge on a specific field of preference. Examples include food technology, animal sciences, plant sciences, logistics, management or law. The second year of studies consists of an internship and a thesis thereby putting theoretical knowledge to practice.
Career prospects include becoming (food) quality management experts in agribusiness, research and public administration.
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Are you interested in studying Food Quality Management at Wageningen University? Visit us on the Master Open Day or read on to find out more about: