Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems
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About the programme
Programme goals & Learning objectives
While large populations face hunger and undernutrition, overweight and diet-related chronic diseases have taken on pandemic proportions. In addition, human diets have a significant impact on natural resources and the climate. More than ever, food systems changes are required to improve human diets, promote planetary health, and achieve sustainable development.
The MSc Nutrition and Food Systems programme focusses on human nutrition and diets from a food system perspective. After completing this degree, you will:
- Have a strong academic background in human nutrition. The programme contains all necessary courses for you to work as a nutritionist,
- Understand how human diets and nutrition are driven by food systems, from the production, post-harvest handling, transformation, storage, marketing of food up to the behaviour of consumers,
- Be capable of identifying nutritional problems, their underlying causes and develop, manage, and evaluate relevant interventions,
- Be able to critically evaluate nutrition research findings and be competent to develop evidence-based recommendations, and
- Be able to collaborate, communicate and creatively apply these competencies across the disciplines for sustainable food systems change
Through interactions with a diverse and international group of students and lecturers, you acquire international and intercultural competencies. You will start your professional career with an international network.
The MSc Nutrition and Food Systems has its roots in the MSc Nutrition and Rural Development, which ran as an international MSc programme at UGent since 1987. In response to increasing global concerns regarding the sustainability of food systems, the programme focus was revised to food systems.
- read more in the Study guide
Course details and schedule
- consult the Study guide
Course structure
The two-year curriculum is a gradual build-up of learning opportunities over 4 semesters. The fundamental knowledge courses in the beginning make way for courses that provide generic competencies for life-long learning and employment at the end. The programme provides flexible learning opportunities that allow you to tailor a part of the curriculum to your needs, talents, and interest.
The first semester contains general courses related to nutrition and food systems. It establishes a common ground between all students as many have different backgrounds in disciplines such as food technology and engineering, nutrition and dietetics, biomedical sciences, or medicine. The second semester builds on this knowledge with more advanced courses. To tailor the course programme to the individual student’s needs and interests, you can take one elective course during the first year.
You can specialise even more during the second year. The third semester has no mandatory coursework and provides an internship opportunity to gain professional experiences. You can choose from a broad range of elective MSc courses at UGent or at another university, if these meet the programme learning objectives. The final semester contains the Master’s dissertation and alongside courses that prepare students for employment.
Admission requirements
Degree
Applicants must have at least a Bachelor's degree of min. 3 years from a university or recognized equivalent. Good overall scores (at least a second class or equivalent, preferably higher) are recommended.
Competencies
Transcripts of Records (ToR) must demonstrate proficiency in the following fields: (i) Statistics or epidemiology (min. 5 credits); (ii) Food chemistry or Biochemistry (min 5 credits).
The Educational Committee can withhold admission in case the scores or CGPA of the Bachelor degree are too low (e.g. 2nd class lower, <60% or below B) even when you meet the admission criteria.
Language requirements
The applicant must be proficient in the language of the course or training programme, i.e. English. The English language proficiency can be met by providing a certificate (validity of 5 years) of one of the following tests: (TOEFL/IELTS predictive tests and TOEIC will not be accepted)
- TOEFL 570 (paper-based)
- TOEFL 86 (internet-based)
- IELTS: 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 for writing)
- Cambridge B2 First
Following students are exempt to provide an English language test certificate:
- applicants who have a diploma (Secondary Education, Academic Bachelor Degree, Master Degree) awarded by an (recognised) institution in the Flemish Community
- nationals of all EU and EEA countries, Australia, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada, Eritrea, Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, UK, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe;
on condition that they can provide a stamped and signed certificate of English proficiency issued by their home university if they have obtained at least 60 ECTS credits with English as the language of instruction during a previous bachelor or master level degree.
Application Procedure
Start the online application
Before completing the online application, we recommend to carefully read the general guidelines (including list of necessary documents you will need to upload).
Application deadline
| Do you apply for VLIR scholarship | Do you need a visa | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | February 28, 20xx* |
| Yes | No | |
| No | Yes | |
| No | No | May 31, 20xx* |
* 20xx is the calendar year you will start your study (September 20xx)
VLIR-UOS Scholarships
The Flemish Interuniversity Council - University Development Cooperation provides full scholarship for residents and nationals from 30 countries in the Global South.
Study cost
- Please note that this is a non-scholarship programme. Finding appropriate funding to join this programme is the applicant’s personal responsibility
- Tuition fee
- Living, insurance & accommodation expenses: min € 850/month
Contact & Info
Questions concerning your application: applications.itc@ugent.be
Questions during your study: students.itc@ugent.be
MSc In Nutrition and Food Systems
Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium