Start Dates in October and January
This MSc by Research in Food Science at University of Lincoln's National Centre for Food Manufacturing (NCFM) provides graduates with the opportunity to develop knowledge, understanding, and expertise in their chosen field of food science research.
Students will be provided with the opportunity to study the physical, biological, and chemical makeup of food; the causes of food deterioration; and the concepts underlying food processing. Students can gain the experience of applying chemistry, microbiology, nutrition, engineering to the study of food to improve the safety, nutrition, wholesomeness, and availability of food. They can develop broad skills in relevant areas of food analysis, food chemistry, food microbiology, product development, quality and safety systems, food manufacturing digitalisation (including robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning and virtual /augmented reality, sustainability, and technical management.
Depending on their area of specialisation, students can develop ways to process, preserve, package, and /or store food according to industry and government specifications and regulations. A key aspect of the research experience will be exposure to the broad sweep of today's food science research.
Conduct independent, original, and academically significant research
Benefit from training courses to develop key research skills
Supervision and support from academic staff
Present at talks and seminars to showcase your work
Enrol in January or October each year
Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, the vast majority of students' time will be spent in independent study and research. Students will have meetings with their academic supervisors, however the regularity of these will vary depending on their own individual requirements, subject area, staff availability, and the stage of programme.
The National Centre for Food Manufacturing (NCFM) is a satellite campus based 50 miles from Lincoln in the heart of the UK’s largest food manufacturing cluster. Students are able to benefit from these close links to industry and outstanding specialist food facilities. Please note that the NCFM campus does not have residential facilities and our postgraduate students tend to find their own accommodation locally.
The key to success on a postgraduate research programme is to find a research topic that you are passionate about and identify a supervisory team that has expertise in this area. The flexible nature of this Master's provides students with the opportunity to undertake research in an area that interests them or is relevant to their current employment.
NCFM's research expertise include food chemistry, microbiology, product development, quality and safety systems, food manufacturing digitalisation (including robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning and virtual/augmented reality), sustainability, and technical management.
Research conducted by postgraduate students in the Centre has had practical applications in improving safety, quality, and efficiency in food manufacturing. Previous research project areas have included food safety and quality assurance, sensory analysis, packaging systems, food manufacturing technologies, resource efficiency, process automation, and robotic applications.
A research degree is usually awarded based on the quality a student's thesis and may include an oral examination (Viva Voce) to present and successfully defend their chosen research topic to a group of academics. Students are also expected to demonstrate how their research findings have contributed to knowledge or developed existing theory or understanding.
Postgraduate Research Application Support
Find out more about the application process for research degrees and what you'll need to complete on our How to Apply page, which also features contact details for dedicated support with your application.
How to Apply
To support your experience within the postgraduate research community, new students are encouraged to enrol in October or January. In addition to meeting peers across the University who are starting their research programme at the same time, there is access to a central training programme designed around the first three months of study, and targeted support aligned to each stage of the postgraduate research journey. Alternative enrolment dates may be agreed with your supervisor on an individual basis.
First or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills
You will need to have funding in place for your studies before you arrive at the University. Our fees vary depending on the course, mode of study, and whether you are a UK or international student. You can view the breakdown of fees for this programme below. Research students may be required to pay additional fees in addition to cover the cost of specialist resources, equipment and access to any specialist collections that may be required to support their research project. These will be informed by your research proposal and will be calculated on an individual basis.
Loans and Studentships
Find out more about the optional available to support your postgraduate research, from Master's and Doctoral Loans, to research studentship opportunities. You can also find out more about how to pay your fees and access support from our helpful advisors.
Explore Funding Options
A research programme provides the opportunity to become a true expert in your chosen field, while developing a range of valuable transferable skills than can support your career progression. A research-based degree is also the most direct pathway to an academic career. Research degrees are a great chance to expand your network and meet diverse people with similar interests, knowledge, and passion.
The University’s Doctoral School provides a focal point for Lincoln’s community of researchers, where ideas and experiences can be developed and shared across disciplines. It also offers support and training to help equip you for both academic and non-academic careers.
Through our research, we are striving to change society for the better. Working with regional, national, and international partners, our academics are engaged in groundbreaking studies that are challenging the status quo. We also understand the importance of providing the best possible environment for pursuing research that can support our communities, improve lives, and make a tangible difference to the world around us.
Explore Our Research