Our Food Chain Systems MSc has been developed as a result of extensive industry-led research. The course examines the whole of the food chain from pre-harvest to market with the overall aim of enhancing the quality and safety of food.
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 Chain Systems 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:
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 Chain Systems 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.
Our MSc in Food Chain Systems 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.
This course is accredited by Institution of Agricultural Engineers and Institute of Food Science and Technology.
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%
Upon successful completion of the course, graduates will be able to pursue or enhance careers in a variety of key areas such as:
Employers will exist in a variety of food-related sectors including:
Cranfield graduates are very successful in achieving relevant work. Some 93% are in relevant employment or further study six months after graduation. For professionals already in industry, Cranfield qualifications enhance their careers, benefiting both the candidate and their employer.
