Course overview
It adds an advanced practice module to our one-year master’s and is an opportunity to enhance your qualification by an internship, research or study abroad experience.
The food and drink sector is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK delivering 18% of the UK's total output by value. Tasked by government and the Food and Drink Federation with achieving 20% growth in productivity by 2020, the industry is developing innovative solutions to increase productivity, reduce waste and energy usage, and introducing more efficient manufacturing to reduce costs and drive competitive advantage. This course is suitable if you are a recent graduate or in employment and wanting to qualify to MSc level. The blended learning approach means that employers looking to upskill and retain their best employees can do so with minimum time off work. There are three routes you can select from to gain a master's award:
- MSc Food Processing Engineering - one year full time
- MSc Food Processing Engineering - two years part time
- MSc Food Processing Engineering (with Advanced Practice) - two years full time
The one-year programme is a great option if you want to gain a traditional MSc qualification.The two-year master’s degree with advanced practice enhances your qualification by adding a vocational or research based internship to the one-year master’s programme.A vocational internship is a great way to gain work experience and give your CV a competitive edge. A research internship provides you with the opportunity to develop your analytical, team-working, research and academic skills by working alongside a research team in an academic setting. We guarantee a research internship, but cannot guarantee a vocational internship. We will, however, provide you with practical support and advice on how to find and secure your own vocational internship position should you prefer this type of internship. Teesside University is highly praised for its links with local and national industries and businesses such as Marlow Foods (Quorn), SK Chilled Foods and Sainsbury’s. The University is committed to integrating with industry in the Tees Valley and has a record of producing employment-ready problem solvers and innovators.
Course details
For the MSc with advanced practice, you complete 120 credits of taught modules, a 60-credit master’s research project and 60 credits of advanced practice.
Course structure
Core modules
Advanced Practice in Health and Life Sciences
You undertake a research or development internship to gain additional experience, enhancing your employability and academic learning.
Food Chemistry Composition and Analysis
The chemical composition of food is the key focus of this module. You critically examine the major physical and chemical changes to food as a result of applying a range of food processing technologies and storage conditions. You develop a comprehensive and critical understanding of the current and emerging analytical techniques used by the food industry.
Food Manufacturing Engineering
This module develops the fundamental concepts of processing food starting with basic principles – the properties of matter, fluid flow and heat transfer leading to the theories behind food preparation. You explore the key areas of food processing – ambient temperature processes, processing by applying heat, processing by removing heat, processing and packaging machinery and post-processing operations.
Applying robotics within the food industry has become cheaper, more effective and more capable – which means that more industrial applications become candidates for robotic automation. This module reviews and develops the fundamental concepts of food processing and handling using robotics.
Food Product Design and Manufacturing Process Development
The module introduces you to the food product development and food manufacturing processes. It allows you to connect to the real world through the experience of developing a new food product either through an industry-based or industry-linked project. You experience challenges similar to those encountered in the launch of a new food product from laboratory to the table, including consideration of full economic costs and the development of a business plan. As part of this learning, you integrate graduate research skills and develop entrepreneurship.
Food Safety Engineering and Management
You examine a range of traditional and emerging technologies to ensure food safety. You explore a range of current food-related safety issues, for example analysing risk using standard industry tools such as hazard analysis critical control points. You review current hygiene practices in the food industry including emerging new sectors, such as biotechnology, which have brought with them new challenges associated with food quality and safety.
You also look at implementing, auditing and evaluating appropriate processes and procedures, and controls for safely processing foods. This module provides you with the necessary skills to synthesise and critically appraise different aspects of food safety technologies and food safety management in complex contexts.
This module will provide an appropriate environment for an in-depth investigation of a subject relevant to the programme chosen and the continued development of cognitive, professional and transferable skills. It aims to unify your understanding and awareness of engineering or science as developed in the programme, with individual and independent research and analysis on a selected topic within the discipline. It also aims to expose you to the management of a significant project and to enable you to apply research methods relevant to your specific field and related discipline.
You investigate problems which involve the consideration of relevant legal, social, ethical, environmental and other professional issues.
You will be expected to develop and practice a professional approach to the presentation, delivery and appraisal of your written and oral presentations.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
The transition to postgraduate level study can be challenging – support with making this transition is an important element of this course.
You are supported during your induction and in the module Food Product Design and Manufacturing Processes. This support helps you understand the requirements of academic study at postgraduate level, enhancing your skills in academic writing and referencing, and developing the skills necessary to operate professionally, safely and ethically in planning and implementing a master’s level research project.
By including work-based problem-solving projects and case study exercises, this course emphasises real-world working. Theory and knowledge is blended in the context of business, allowing you to develop the skills employers are seeking to set you on a successful career path. Blended learning provides a rich and varied learning experience, and additional flexibility if you are in employment.
On campus you have access to a dedicated food product development laboratory and a pilot-scale processing equipment facility, allowing you to gain valuable hands-on experience of food processing and product development. Fully equipped microbiological and chemical analysis laboratories enable you to undertake a series
How you are assessed
You are assessed on your subject knowledge, independent thought and new skills through formative and summative assessment.
Assessment may include
- exams
- oral presentations
- technical interviews
- technical reports
- laboratory reports
- literature surveys, evaluations and summaries
- dissertation or thesis.
You are presented with an assessment schedule with details of your submission deadlines for summative assessments.
Your Advanced Practice module is assessed by an individual written reflective report (3,000 words) together with a study or workplace log, where appropriate, and through a poster presentation.
Entry requirements
You are normally expected to have at least a UK 2.2 honours degree (or equivalent) in a subject related to science, engineering or technology. If your first degree is not in one of the subject areas listed please check with our admissions team if it is acceptable.
Students with a degree awarded outside the UK must also meet the University's minimum English language requirements.
Non-EU international students who need a student visa to study in the UK should check our web pages on UKVI-compliant English language requirements. The University also provides pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet the minimum English language requirement.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country
Employability
Career opportunities
Food and drink manufacturing is vital to the UK economy. It is the single largest manufacturing sector in the UK, employing 15% of the entire manufacturing workforce. Food and drink manufacturing companies make up 7% of all manufacturing businesses, and they buy two thirds of all the UK’s agricultural produce. The industry generates 18% of total manufacturing turnover.
To meet the demands of this dynamic sector, the food industry needs to recruit more than 49,000 new skilled professionals and managers by 2022, which is great news for the next generation of talent wanting to study toward a rewarding career in a dynamic and highly innovative sector (The National Skills Academy for Food & Drink).
Graduates can seek jobs in many areas in the food sector including
- food analysis
- new product development
- quality management and food safety management
- food production management
- technical management.
Work placement
There are potential short-term placements available during your study.
Information for international applicants
Qualifications
International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.
Select your country:
Useful information
Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.
