The Food Quality Management Master of Science 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.
Food quality analysis is different from the analysis of 'normal' products. Food, food products, flowers, cattle and crops are living matter that changes continuously over time due to (bio) chemical, physical and microbiological influences.
On the Programme of Food Quality Management page you can find the general outline of the programme and more detailed information about courses, theses and internships.
Within the master's programme you can choose one of the following Specialisations to meet your personal interests.
What are your possibilities after graduating? Read more about career perspectives and opportunities after finishing the programme.
Related programmes:
MSc Management, Economics and Consumer Studies
The Master IDCM focuses on farms delivering milk of sufficient quantity and excellent quality in a profitable manner while adhering to quality and safety requirements of the chain. IDCM is suitable for candidates interested in modern and highly developed dairy chains, and the Netherlands’ dairy industry is used as example for innovations. It also focuses on milk processing from the perspective of processing companies, collaborating with stakeholders in the chain or supporting the chain. “Innovative” stands for creativity in dealing with complex situations such as: developing scenarios for farms and the sector as a whole for uncertainties as opposed to traditional advisory services; developing strategies for changing circumstances; innovative technologies in production, processing and in chain governance; and the establishment of farms in new countries or new areas.
The educational programme will make use of cases from dairy countries with a high reputation as well as from countries in transition. It is all about the international dairy industry and providing a reliable and sufficient volume of quality milk. The programme is primarily aimed at mid-career dairy professionals involved in management or co-ordination.
Upon graduating, you will be able to:
• identify innovative needs in (inter)national dairy chain projects and processes
• advise on dairy business development
• facilitate dairy chain governance towards sustainability and efficiency
• mainstream policy development for inclusive dairy value chains
• manage quality assurance in the dairy chain
• conduct applied research in a dairy value chain
• communicate effectively and convincingly in a varying multicultural sector
• apply an independent and creative learning attitude in a continuously changing international business environment
The programme offers career opportunities through dairy production and chain innovations as well as capacity to facilitate processes of change in the international dairy sector. Both qualities are essential for the three job profiles for which this Master is intended: the dairy farm manager, who is responsible for overall management and supervision of employees and communication with experts; the dairy farm advisor, who advises on innovations that lead to increased governance, efficiency and sustainability of a company in the chain or of the entire chain; the dairy chain facilitator, who works for a processing enterprise. The enterprise is huge and in control of collecting quality milk from farmers and process milk for the market.
Our Master programmes are eligible for the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP), formerly the Netherlands Fellowship Programme. The Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) is targeted at professionals from selected developing countries who, after their studies in the Netherlands, will be able to further develop and strengthen the organisations at which they work. Master of Innovative Dairy Chain Management (MSc) is taught at our VHL location in Leeuwarden. The language of instruction is English.
