Food Systems and Management at Cranfield
If you are passionate about food and you want to contribute on mitigating major worldwide problems as Food security and Food safety, our MSc course is your gateway for succeeding in this area. Developed with and for the industry, our graduates are highly valued by different Agrifood businesses and thus we have a very high employment rate of 94.5%* for our School. Hence joining us might be the “golden ticket” you need to boost your careers in the fast and ever changing Agrifood area. Through the integration of scientific, technological and managerial aspects (teaching shared with our internationally recognised School of Management and industry experts) you will learn how to use and manage food resources more efficiently (agriculture, logistics, food analysis, consumers, food management, certification, food innovation), in order to achieve sustainable, secure and safe food supply chains across the globe. We have a great commitment with student excellence, from both UK and from around the world, and every year we will offer bursaries to several outstanding candidates. *(based on those for whom we hold data. Source: DLHE 2017 Collections).Overview
- Start dateFull-time: October. Part-time: October
- DurationOne year full-time, two-three years part-time
- DeliveryTaught Modules 40%, Group Project 20%, Individual Research Project 40%
- QualificationMSc, PgDip, PgCert
- Study typeFull-time / Part-time
- CampusCranfield campus
Who is it for?
The course is suitable for new graduates from a science or technology background who are interested in a career within the food industry. The course is also ideal for professionals already working in the industry who would like to train to further their careers. Available on a full and part-time basis the course offers flexibility and support for those who wish to train whilst remaining in employment.
Food Systems and Management MSc is part of the Agriculture and Food Programme. It provides a critical appreciation of the issues concerned with the production and supply of safe food in the modern world. Through the integration of scientific, technological and managerial factors students will learn how to use food resources more efficiently to achieve higher quality and safer food production as well as successfully understand and manage food supply chains.
The holistic approach of the MSc will provide you with a detailed understanding of the whole of the food chain system including:
- Diagnostics
- Food microbiology
- HACCP
- Logistics
- Postharvest technology
- Predictive modelling
- Risk assessment of food
- Supply chain management.
Your career
Specific relevant job roles may include: Logistics, production, research, retail, storage, supply.
Cranfield Careers Service
Our Careers Service can help you find the job you want after leaving Cranfield. We will work with you to identify suitable opportunities and support you in the job application process for up to three years after graduation.We have been providing Masters level training for over 20 years. Our strong reputation and links with potential employers provide you with outstanding opportunities to secure interesting jobs and develop successful careers. The increasing interest in sustainability and corporate and social responsibility has also enhanced the career prospects of our graduates.
Employers will exist in a variety of food-related sectors including: Food manufacturers and production companies, food retailers, government agencies, logistics and supply chain, management companies, research institutions.
Cranfield graduates are very successful in achieving relevant work. For professionals already in industry, Cranfield qualifications enhance their careers, benefiting both the candidate and their employer.
Why this course?
Rosa Torrelles-Rafales on studying Food Chain Systems MSc.
Increasing consumer awareness and demand regarding food quality, nutrition and safety issues, coupled with intensifying competition within the rapidly changing food industry, has created a demand for individuals who are able to drive success in the management of key food chains in a modern global economic market.
Our Food Systems and Management MSc has been developed as a result of extensive industry-led research. It represents a unique offering within the UK and Europe in that it examines the whole of the food chain from pre-harvest to market through the integration of science, technology and management.
The holistic approach of the MSc responds to the increasingly integrated food supply chain ('farm to fork') and will equip you with the relevant knowledge, skills and practical experience needed to pursue a wide variety of career opportunities in today's food industry.
Hear from Ida Berg about her experience of studying Agrifood at Cranfield.
Informed by Industry
Our MSc in Food Systems and Management benefits from input from an industry advisory panel with representatives from commercial organisations and non-commercial organisations, who help to ensure the course maintains its real-world relevance to the marketplace and industry focus. This involvement by industry makes successful students highly sought after in the employment market.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by Institution of Agricultural Engineers and Institute of Food Science and Technology.Course details
The formal taught component of this course comprises eight compulsory modules. Each module is two weeks in duration, consisting of one week of lectures, practical work, site visits and one week for private study. Part-time students attend the first week of each module but may continue with coursework assignments at a suitable time and location. This element constitutes 40% of the overall mark.
Group project
Group projects provide students with an understanding of working on real challenges in the work place along with skills in team working, managing resources and developing reporting and presentation skills. Many of the projects are supported by external organisations and the experience gained is highly valued by both students and prospective employers. For part-time students a dissertation usually replaces the group project.
This element constitutes 20% of the overall mark.
Individual project
The four-month individual research project can be carried out within industry or academia and for part-time candidates it can be undertaken in your place of work. This key part of the course allows you to apply the research skills acquired during the taught phase of the course to a practical problem in health science and acts as an opportunity for you to meet potential future employers.
This element constitutes 40% of the overall mark.
Assessment
Taught Modules 40%, Group Project 20%, Individual Research Project 40%University Disclaimer
Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.
To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory modules and (where applicable) some elective modules affiliated with this programme which ran in the academic year 2018–2019. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2019 entry. All modules are subject to change depending on your year of entry.
Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course
Food Diagnostics
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Food Safety and Quality management and certification
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Aim |
To provide an overview of the main hazards encountered along the food chain and the food safety and quality legal framework. Special attention will be paid to microbiological hazards (bacteria, viruses and fungal pathogens) relevant to food . |
Syllabus |
1. Introduction to food safety and the main hazard types able to enter different food chains 2. Introduction and taxonomy of micro-organisms in food production and spoilage 3. Food-borne pathogens and pathogenicity and natural toxins 4. Fungal ecology: concepts, fungal contamination in different food chains (e.g., cereals, bakery, fresh produce, cured meats and beverages), heat resistant mould, mechanisms of survival and control 5. Legislative drivers for mycotoxin control 6. Hurdle technology: Use of ecophysiological knowledge to increase product shelf-life. Available food processing techniques. 7. Food legislation framework under which food production facilities and industries should work. Some important food chains will be used as examples. The content will focus on: Specific Production areas: |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: Knowledge
Skills
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Management for Technology
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Plant Based Food Quality
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Postharvest Technology
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Food Chain Resilience
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module the student should be able (in the context of Food & Beverage networks):
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Agrifood Business Innovation
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Syllabus |
This module explores current and future challenges that different sectors of the food chain are facing. The content will thus be flexible and 50% of content will depend on the different speakers. On the other hand, some common areas will be covered including: |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
Skills
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Teaching team
Dr Angel Medina Vaya - Programme Director Dr M. Carmen Alamar Gavidia - Course Director In addition, students benefit from a programme of visiting lecturers from industry. One of the modules will be fully taught by industrial partners with confirmed speakers like: Professor Mark Berry - Head of Plant Science & Biochemistry, Unilever PLC Dr Bizhan Pourkomailian - Global Restaurant Food Safety, McDonald’s Corporation Terry Donohoe - Visiting Fellow at Cranfield (formally head of risk at the FSA) Ian Puddephat - Senior Director Agro Discovery, PepsiCo plc.
Fees and funding
European Union students applying for university places in the 2018 to 2019 academic year will still have access to student funding support. Please see the UK Government’s announcement (21 April 2017).
Cranfield University welcomes applications from students from all over the world for our postgraduate programmes. The Home/EU student fees listed continue to apply to EU students.
MSc Full-time | £10,250 |
MSc Part-time | £1,635 * |
PgDip Full-time | £8,200 |
PgDip Part-time | £1,635 * |
PgCert Full-time | £4,510 |
PgCert Part-time | £1,635 * |
Fee notes:
- The fees outlined apply to all students whose initial date of registration falls on or between 1 August 2019 and 31 July 2020.
- All students pay the tuition fee set by the University for the full duration of their registration period agreed at their initial registration.
- A deposit may be payable, depending on your course.
- Additional fees for extensions to the agreed registration period may be charged.
- Fee eligibility at the Home/EU rate is determined with reference to UK Government regulations. As a guiding principle, EU nationals (including UK) who are ordinarily resident in the EU pay Home/EU tuition fees, all other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees.
MSc Full-time | £20,500 |
MSc Part-time | £20,500 ** |
PgDip Full-time | £16,605 |
PgDip Part-time | £16,605 ** |
PgCert Full-time | £8,300 |
PgCert Part-time | £8,300 ** |
Fee notes:
- The fees outlined apply to all students whose initial date of registration falls on or between 1 August 2019 and 31 July 2020.
- All students pay the tuition fee set by the University for the full duration of their registration period agreed at their initial registration.
- A deposit may be payable, depending on your course.
- Additional fees for extensions to the agreed registration period may be charged.
- Fee eligibility at the Home/EU rate is determined with reference to UK Government regulations. As a guiding principle, EU nationals (including UK) who are ordinarily resident in the EU pay Home/EU tuition fees, all other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees.
Funding Opportunities
To help students find and secure appropriate funding we have created a funding finder which allows you to filter the results to suit your needs. Visit the funding finder.
GREAT China Scholarship
The GREAT Cranfield University Scholarship China is jointly funded by Cranfield University and the British Council. Two scholarships of £11,000 each for Chinese students are available.
The award gives an annual bursary of up to 75% of the course tuition fees for postgraduate students in an agricultural related Masters or PhD course.
The Cranfield ScholarshipWe have a limited number of scholarships available for candidates from around the world. Scholarships are awarded to applicants who show both aptitude and ability for the subject they are applying. Find out more about the Cranfield Scholarship
Postgraduate Loan from Student Finance EnglandA Postgraduate Loan is now available for UK and EU applicants to help you pay for your Master’s course. You can apply for a loan at GOV.UK
Santander MSc ScholarshipThe Santander Scholarship at Cranfield University is worth £5,000 towards tuition fees for full-time master's courses. Check the scholarship page to find out if you are from an eligible Santander Universities programme country.
Chevening ScholarshipsChevening Scholarships are awarded to outstanding emerging leaders to pursue a one-year master’s at Cranfield university. The scholarship includes tuition fees, travel and monthly stipend for Master’s study.
Commonwealth Scholarships for Developing CountriesStudents from developing countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK can apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship which includes tuition fees, travel and monthly stipend for Master’s study.
Future Finance Student LoansFuture Finance offer student loans of up to £40,000 that can cover living costs and tuition fees for all student at Cranfield University.
Cranfield Postgraduate Loan Scheme (CPLS)The Cranfield Postgraduate Loan Scheme (CPLS) is a funding programme providing affordable tuition fee and maintenance loans for full-time UK/EU students studying technology-based MSc courses.
The Gen FoundationThe Gen Foundation provide small grants of between £500 - £5,000 to students in food sciences or food technology.
Agrifood Charities PartnershipThe Agrifood Charities Partnership (AFCP) provides a database of charitable organisations that provide grants and funding for studies and research in the area of agri-food.
Conacyt (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia)Cranfield offers competitive scholarships for Mexican students in conjunction with Conacyt (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) in science, technology and engineering.
Entry requirements
A first or second class honours degree from a UK university, or equivalent, in a scientific discipline such as a food science, food technology, microbiology or other science or technology-related subjects; or candidates with appropriate professional experience.
English Language
If you are an international student you will need to provide evidence that you have achieved a satisfactory test result in an English qualification. Our minimum requirements are as follows:
- IELTS Academic - 6.5 overall
- TOEFL - 92
- Pearson PTE Academic - 65
- Cambridge English Scale - 180
- Cambridge English: Advanced - C
- Cambridge English: Proficiency - C
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English III - minimum overall score of pass
In addition to these minimum scores you are also expected to achieve a balanced score across all elements of the test. We reserve the right to reject any test score if any one element of the test score is too low.
We can only accept tests taken within two years of your registration date (with the exception of Cambridge English tests which have no expiry date).
Students requiring a Tier 4 (General) visa must ensure they can meet the English language requirements set out by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and we recommend booking a IELTS for UKVI test.
Applicants who do not already meet the English language entry requirement for their chosen Cranfield course can apply to attend one of our Presessional English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses. We offer Winter/Spring and Summer programmes each year to offer holders.
How to apply
Online application form. UK students are normally expected to attend an interview and financial support is best discussed at this time. Overseas and EU students may be interviewed by telephone.
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We had the opportunity to visit multiple different big UK companies in relation with the food sector. In addition, we met several professionals working in different positions of the food industry.
Cécile Greuillet, Food Chain Systems MSc