Turku, Finland
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
21 Jan 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 12,000 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* application period: January 2026
** free for citizens of EU/EEA countries or Switzerland, for citizens of non-EU/EEA countries €12,000/academic year
Key Summary
Introduction
Discover all degree programs at the University of Turku
Nordic expertise in Natural Foods
The Master's Degree Programme in Food Development is designed to provide you with an understanding of the connections between the different aspects and functions of food. Special attention is paid to the influence of various factors on the composition, sensory properties, and health effects of food at a molecular level. The application of food metabolomics and modern biotechnological methods in food research and food development is an important part of the curriculum. The curriculum also covers various aspects of food safety and European food laws and legislation.
Through the Programme, you will gain education and qualification for working as an expert, for example in food authorities.
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Academic Excellence & Experience
The Food Chemistry and Food Development Unit is an essential element of the core strength of food science and technology in Finland. The Unit has an internationally edge-cutting profile in research on:
- The chemistry and biochemistry of food lipids and secondary metabolites.
- The molecular basis of food quality and the health-promoting properties of food with a special focus on the northern crops and wild resources.
- Significance of northern climate as factors influencing crop quality.
- Food development research and technological innovation for the sustainable utilization and value addition of food resources.
With an internationally well-established record in berry research, oils and fats, human milk, and cow milk, the Unit has expanded its research into other food resources such as cereals, legumes, and mushrooms. The research also targets new food resources for future food security, healthy diet, and business growth.
The ultimate goal is to support a sustainable bio-future based on internationally top science. State-of-art targeted and non-targeted food metabolomics is an important tool for research. In addition to basic sciences, the research of the Unit includes a strong applied angle supporting the research and innovation in the food industry.
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Admissions
Curriculum
Program structure
The Master’s Degree in Food Development is a two-year program amounting to 120 ECTS. The degree is comprised of the following study modules:
- Food Development (20 ECTS)
- Food Sciences (20 ECTS)
- Master’s Thesis in technology and supporting studies (40 ECTS)
- Minor subject (20 – 25 ECTS)
- Other studies (20 ECTS) including mandatory languages studies (2-7 ECTS)
Master's Thesis & Topics
The final project aiming for the master’s thesis in technology is based on an independent, experimental research project in a laboratory. The research work is made under the guidance of a supervisor. The results obtained at the research project will be presented in a master’s seminar using common procedures known from scientific meetings. The master’s thesis will be written based on the results from the experimental work and a review of relevant background literature. Examples of thesis topics:
- Triacylglycerol fatty acid composition and expression levels of related biosynthesis genes in seeds and pulp of developing sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) berries
- Effects of wine yeast on the chemical composition of black currant wine – anthocyanins and alcohols
- Development of Lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L) based Mayonnaises
- Optimization of a UHPLC method for analysis of cafestol and kahweol in various coffee types
- Sensory contribution of glycosylated phenolic compounds
Program Outcome
Competence Description
In the Master’s Degree Programme in Food Development you will:
- Learn to understand the phenomena and concepts related to molecular food sciences and the different relationships between them.
- Gain strong theoretical knowledge on themes of food development and can apply it in practice.
- Learn the methods used in food development and how to apply them to research and product development purposes.
- Gain knowledge on how to search, apply and create information.
- Gain the ability to make justifiable decisions based on the information that you have critically achieved.
- Gain experience in real-life work in academic and industrial projects in food research and development.
- Get skills to work in a responsible role as part of multi-disciplinary and multicultural teams.
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarship Opportunities
The University of Turku supports merited and motivated students with generous scholarships. The university offers these scholarships to students pursuing Master's level studies who are subject to tuition fees.
Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, and you can apply for a scholarship by simply answering “yes” to the corresponding question in the online application form when you apply for the programme.
One type of scholarship covers whole tuition fees for two years for Master’s degree programmes. In addition to that, there is a scholarship for the best applicants that covers tuition fees and includes an additional grant of €5,000.
Approximately 30 % of the admitted students are awarded a scholarship by the University of Turku.
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Job Options
The Programme provides you with competence for meeting the challenges in the research and development in the food industry and academia. Through the Programme, you also gain education and qualification for working as an expert in food authorities and other related functions in society.
Students graduating from the Programme may work, among others, as:
- R&D manager
- Quality manager
- Researcher
- Product developer
- Entrepreneur
- Coordinator
- Product specialist
Career in Research
Master of Science degree also provides you with eligibility for scientific postgraduate degree studies - doctoral and licentiate degrees. In Turku, you can apply for a position at the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS). The Graduate School consists of doctoral programmes that cover various disciplines.
Together with the doctoral programmes, the Graduate School provides systematic and high-quality doctoral training. UTUGS aims to train highly qualified experts with the skills required for both professional careers in research and other positions of expertise.