Molecular Nutrition and Food Technology

We are what we eat. The key message here, from health gurus and medical professionals alike, is that people need to tackle their health problems by eating the right food in the right quantities. Science shows a strong correlation between our health and the composition and quality of the food we eat. The MSc programme in Molecular Nutrition and Food Technology provides you with the tools and knowledge you will require to develop nutritious foods designed to reduce the risks of developing health issues such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, allergy, and cancer. In addition, you will acquire knowledge of food technology and of processes that affect food sustainability, quality and functionality, as well as consumers’ choice of foods. UNIQUE COMBINATION OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY, NUTRITION AND HEALTH The MSc in Molecular Nutrition and Food Technology is a collaborative effort between four disciplines at Aarhus University – food science, molecular biology, medicine, and business administration. This broad foundation means that you will be taught by experts in these fields,   but also that the programme provides a holistic understanding of the path that food takes from field to fork, including raw material quality, ingredients, and food technology. In the programme you will gain insight into how new processing methods affect the functional characteristics of foods. You will acquire a thorough knowledge of molecular biology and technical skills at the all- important juncture between food technology, nutrition, and health. RESEARCH SUPPORT Within the programme, students choose to specialize either in molecular nutrition or food science/technology through their thesis. You can choose to collaborate with relevant research groups in one of the main disciplines in connection with project work and with your thesis. Alternatively, you can choose to write your thesis within an R&D department in a private company in the food industry. STUDENT LIFE Students on this programme are based at the University Park campus in Aarhus, where a number of student organisations arrange academic activities, field trips, celebrations, and social functions. CAREERS Many graduates from the MSc in Molecular Nutrition and Food Technology have pursued careers in R&D. Others have taken up roles within advisory or administrative departments in the food industry, as well as in the public sector. Some graduates have used the MSc as the foundation for an academic career – you can apply for admission to the university’s PhD programme either after the first year of the MSc degree or following completion of your thesis. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Students must have a scientific, agricultural, technical scientific, or medical scientific bachelor’s degree with a molecular biological content corresponding to a minimum of 60 ECTS. This includes a minimum of 10 ECTS within biochemistry and a further 50 ECTS within the subjects of chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, or molecular biology. SELECTION CRITERIA As the Master’s programme admits only a limited number of students each year, meeting the admission requirements does not in itself guarantee admission to the programme. Student places are allocated on the basis of an overall assessment. In evaluating qualified applicants, the admissions committee assesses applicants according to the following criteria: academic background; overall grade level of bachelor’s degree; grades achieved on relevant courses; and relevant courses (measured in credit units) included in the bachelor’s degree. Relevant courses include core courses within the subject areas of molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, food chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry. A WORLD RESEARCH LEADER Aarhus University’s research in Agricultural and Food Sciences is cutting edge and puts it in the front rank of agricultural science institutions worldwide. The core areas of research are climate and natural resources, environment and bioenergy, organic farming, food quality, farm animal production, and plant production. Sustainability is a fundamental principle. The goal is to seek solutions that contribute to environmentally and economically sustainable development of the agricultural and food industries. IN THE RANKINGS Agricultural Sciences at Aarhus University ranks 9. in the 2021 US News Best Global Universities Ranking and 2. in the 2020 Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities, in which Food Science and Technology ranks 2. and Agriculture and Forestry at AU ranks 37. in the 2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION In general, admission to a master’s degree programme requires successful completion of a relevant and recognised university degree equivalent to a Danish bachelor’s degree in level and length (180 ECTS). In addition, you must meet the specific requirements for the individual programme, including language requirements. If you wish to study a master’s degree at Aarhus University, please check out our page ‘Am I qualified for admission’: https://masters.au.dk/am-i-qualified-for-admission If you are curious about how to submit a master’s degree application to Aarhus University, then make sure to check out our ‘Apply Now’ page. Here you can find information about relevant fees, guides, and video tutorials on how to use the application portal: https://masters.au.dk/apply-now There are the same English language requirements for all international students with a few exceptions. The general English language requirements for master’s degrees can be found here: https://masters.au.dk/am-i-qualified-for-admission/english-language-requirements Aarhus University offers a limited number of Danish state scholarships for highly qualified non-EU students applying for master’s degrees. You can read more about scholarships here: https://masters.au.dk/scholarships-and-grants Students from outside the EU are generally required to pay tuition and application fee. You can consult our page Tuition fees for master’s degree programmes: https://masters.au.dk/tuitionfees Would you like to chat with a fellow student from your country, or with someone who studies the programme you are interested in? You can get help with your questions from Aarhus University’s Student Ambassadors: https://international.au.dk/education/meetau/chat-with-our-students/