Food System Sciences (MSc) University of Bayreuth

The complex world of food is of great importance for many areas of society. The ingredients of food, production methods and supply chain management contribute to the health of both humans and the environment. Novel food products seek legislation to make the food system more sustainable and healthy.

The Food System Sciences Master’s degree programme at the University of Bayreuth offers a comprehensive programme integrating different aspects of the food system, allowing students to bridge between disciplines.

Building on a cross-disciplinary base, the programme offers dedicated specialisations in Analytics in Life Sciences, Nutritional Physiology, Food Law, and Bioeconomy, training highly qualified specialists with sought-after skills to make a significant contribution to ensure a sufficient, high quality food supply for the growing world population.

This degree programme aims to qualify students for research and development in both academic and company-based environments, for executive positions in the food industry and health management as well as for executive and consulting positions at authorities, in the media, and in other areas of administration and business.  

Be part of it and apply for our Master's programme! We look forward to receiving your application!

Get a deeper understanding of the Faculty of Life Sciences upfront by enrolling in the University of Bayreuth's Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) "Conscious Grocery Shopping: Sustainability, Nutrition, Health and Law". The free audit track is a great way to get to know the lecturers and the research at the University of Bayreuth. On top of that, you can earn a certificate after passing an exam (paid verified track).

The Master's programme in Food System Sciences (MSc) takes four semesters (full-time) and comprises 120 ECTS credits. In each semester 30 ECTS credits are earned. The programme is structured in modules. It offers a broad range of modules, which are structured into the following specialisations:

1. The Analytics in Life Sciences specialisation aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of analytical research methods and applications, training students to work on analytical research questions including the basics of analytical quality assurance "From Farm to Fork".
2. In the Nutritional Physiology specialisation, students learn about the influence of nutrition on the human body, including the influence of defined diets on the development of non-communicable diseases or the interaction of nutrition and physical activity on the maintenance of health.
3. In the Food Law specialisation, students learn European and international food law. This includes substantive and institutional food law. Key areas are dealt with in depth, enabling students to understand and help shape food-related regulatory approaches.
4. In the Bioeconomy specialisation, students analyse the various aspects of sustainability in food systems from a production, business, and sociological perspective. The focus of the specialisation is on plant-based foods using a holistic perspective to analyse production, distribution, and consumption.

The study programme takes place at the newly-founded Faculty of Life Sciences: Food, Nutrition and Health in Kulmbach (around 25 km away from the main campus of the University of Bayreuth). Kulmbach is home not only to some globally recognised companies in the food industry but also to the Max Rubner Institute, the Bavarian Control Authority for Food Safety and Veterinary Medicine, the State Technical College for Food Technology, the Competence Centre for Nutrition (KErn) and the Kulmbach Clinical Centre. In this dynamic environment, this new interdisciplinary and international campus is established, which brings together different perspectives of natural sciences, economics, law, social and behavioural sciences in a unique way.

A compulsory (research) internship is integrated into the curriculum of the study programme; it comprises nine weeks (12 ECTS points). The internship aims to give you an insight into an area of your study programme that is relevant to your professional career. Internships can take place, for example, at public authorities, companies, political parties, associations, media and research institutions related to the topics of your study programme. Students are responsible to find and apply for a suitable internship place independently. We recommend completing the internship in the third semester, so that you will have enough time to find a suitable place after the start of your studies.

The academic admission requirement is a university degree with a final grade of 2.5 ("gut" in German) or better in Natural Sciences, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, Law, Economics, or Nutrition and Health Sciences.

There will be an aptitude test.

For further information on the application process, please visit our website.

Important note: Applicants who have obtained their degree abroad also have to upload the application documents via uni-assist and undergo a fee-based special procedure. Applicants can find the relevant information for the document checking process here.

In Bayreuth, students do not have to pay any tuition fees.

They pay a semester contribution. It covers your contributions to student services and the student government. Attending the University of Bayreuth (which combines the campus in Bayreuth and our Faculty VII located in Kulmbach) includes a "semester ticket" that allows you to use public transportation in the region. The semester contribution is 165.84 EUR per semester.

The costs of living in Germany, e.g. living, food, clothing, and activities, are about average compared to other European countries. The city of Bayreuth, compared to other large German cities (Munich, Berlin, Hamburg), offers a uniquely attractive combination: low cost of living, affordable housing, and a high quality of life. This makes Bayreuth especially appealing to students, young professionals and families. Whether it's outdoor sports in the nearby Fichtelgebirge, cultural highlights like the world-famous Festival, or the rich culinary scene – the city offers a rich variety of experiences right at your doorstep. 

Bayreuth combines affordability with vibrancy – making it easy to study, live and enjoy life to the fullest.

Here is an example: https://www.gamechanger-campus.de/en/cost-of-living.

There are many ways for international students to earn money while they study, but there are some restrictions. For more detailed information, please visit the DAAD website.

The University of Bayreuth’s Career Services team provides a central interface between student and professional life. The team offers guidance and support to students of all subjects with regard to starting their careers.

Scholarships for international students: International students and doctoral researchers have the opportunity to apply for a study grant at the International Office. Limited funding from the State of Bavaria and the DAAD is available for this purpose. The application deadline for the winter semester is 31 August and for the summer semester 28 February. All grants can be awarded for up to two semesters.

Unfortunately, first-semester students cannot be funded, i.e. applications cannot be submitted until the second semester of study for funding starting in the third semester of study. Above all, academic achievements from the previous semester are decisive for the evaluation of the application.

University of Bayreuth Career Service

Accommodation for students
Bayreuth and Kulmbach have a number of student dormitories (both private dormitories and dormitories offered by the Association for Student Affairs) and a vast array of private rooms available. Under no circumstances should you assume that you will be assigned a room in the student dormitories! You will need to actively search for a room on your own – either in a private dormitory or on the private market.

More information regarding accommodation for students is available here: https://www.gamechanger-campus.de/en/accommodation. Please also read the DAAD’s information.

Accommodation for international guests
All other international guests are requested to register via the Welcome Services Database (WelSe).

Accommodation for short visits
For short visits, we recommend searching for accommodation on Airbnb. In addition, a limited number of apartments are available in the Alexander von Humboldt Guest House.

For in between: youth hostels

If you can not find a long-term accommodation from the start, you could look for a living space at the youth hostels directly next to our campus.

https://www.jugendherberge.de/en/youth-hostels/bayreuth/

International, innovative, and interdisciplinary in research and teaching

Top-notch research, state-of-the-art teaching methods, international influences, diversity, and a springboard to a successful career – these are all things the University of Bayreuth stands for.

The University of Bayreuth is a dynamic campus university with currently about 12,000 students (19% internationals). Beyond the interdisciplinary research focus and excellence in teaching, the university has a clear vision of social responsibility and entrepreneurship. In the middle of Kulmbach, our new satellite campus unites the perspectives of natural science, economics, law, social sciences, and behavioural science in one place in a way that has not yet been seen in Germany.

We have a close network of strategically selected, international research partners, and we have strategic partnerships with universities around the globe. A wide range of innovative BA, MA and PhD programmes as well as our international summer schools, are conducted in English. There are presently around 2,500 international students from more than 100 countries on the Bayreuth and Kulmbach campuses. Focus areas in research include Nonlinear Dynamics, Polymer and Colloid Science, Molecular Biosciences, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, New Materials, African Studies, High Pressure and High Temperature Research, Cultural Encounters and Transcultural Processes, Innovation and Consumer Protection, Food and Health Sciences, Energy Research and Energy Technology, Governance and Responsibility.

Our university has an outstanding staff-to-student ratio. Our high performance levels, multidisciplinary collaborations and scientific excellence result in high-ranking positions. In the 2025 THE ranking, the University of Bayreuth achieved the top position 31 among the 1,000 best universities in Germany. We have proven expertise in campus and curriculum internationalisation, which is confirmed by the results of the extended internationalisation audit conducted by the German Rectors’ Conference, a close and successful project cooperation with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and a number of Alexander von Humboldt Awards for our international management and service.

Welcome to our one-of-a-kind campus in Bavaria!
It is both the heart of our university and a source of inspiration. It is where friendships are made, collaboration is initiated, and ideas are conceived, ensuring that our university remains a beacon of innovation. Scientific exchange profits tremendously from the wide variety of disciplines our communicative campus brings together.

For a closer look at our university, have a look here: https://www.gamechanger-campus.de/en.

Welcome to Bavaria!
75,000 people from 145 nations chose the city of Bayreuth as their new home, and those numbers are steadily rising. Because of its 12,000 students, Bayreuth is the third-youngest city in Germany. Living here means not getting stuck in traffic jams every morning. The short distances in Bayreuth allow you to leave your car at home and to walk or ride your bike to work and to campus.

Career & Networking
The Welcome Service at the University of Bayreuth is here to assist you with any questions regarding living and working in the region of Bayreuth. The team of our International Office provides guidance and support for all international students, scholars, and their families before, during and after their stay at the University of Bayreuth. The aim is to ensure a quick, trouble-free and thus successful start as well as an unforgettable stay on our friendly campus in Bayreuth and Kulmbach.

A good climate for your entrepreneurial spirit
The University of Bayreuth takes its role as a regional motor of innovation very seriously. The Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation was set up to help students gain the necessary qualifications in the area of entrepreneurial and innovative thinking and acting. In doing so, we nurture our students’ willingness and ability to start their own companies. Our Adviser for Start-Ups provides start-ups and prospective start-ups with confidential guidance and support. Strong innovation and research institutions combined with high-performance medium-sized companies make for a steady rise in workforce and a guarantee for job security.

Your new home away from home
Bayreuth and Kulmbach offer a wide variety of childcare services as well as affordable living space. Step outside your front door and enjoy the recreational activities. Scenic northern Bavaria is great for sports activities: cycling, hiking, mountain-climbing, canoeing, rafting, and skiing are all excellent ways to enrich your leisure time. However, if you do happen to crave the feel of a bigger city now and then, Nuremberg is only a one-hour train ride away and Munich is only two and a half hours away. You can reach Berlin in four hours by car or bus and Leipzig in half that time.

Why you should study in Bayreuth: https://www.gamechanger-campus.de/en/study-in-bayreuth

Have a great start. We look forward to meeting you!