International Food Business and Consumer Studies (IFBC) Fulda University of Applied Sciences

The Master’s programme in "International Food Business and Consumer Studies" (IFBC) focuses on how value chains in the food industry can be designed to be both sustainable and consumer-oriented. Students analyse consumer trends, cultural differences and the role of regional and global markets.

Sustainability runs like a thread through the entire course. Around 430 graduates from 56 countries have already completed the programme – and it is this diversity that continues to shape the course to this day. Different cultural perspectives come together, whether in discussions, projects or research work. This gives rise to new ideas and fresh perspectives on global food systems – practical, interconnected and with an international outlook.

If you are looking for a programme that combines academic depth, real-world relevance, and a strong international community, this is the right place for you.

Compulsory modules are:

• International Legislation on Consumer Protection and Food: Gain an in-depth understanding of EU institutions, food labelling, novel foods regulations, risk management, and trade barriers.
• International Organic Food Markets and Marketing: Build marketing strategies for global organic markets and understand key regulations.
• Food Product Development: Dive into product stages—from formulations and additives to testing, shelf-life, and regulations—for innovative foods.
• Applied Research Project: Enhance your project management skills by leading research and development projects with external partners. 
• Quality Management in Food Business: Optimise supply chains, risk safety, traceability, and processes in the food industry.
• Trends in Food Sciences and Sustainable Consumption: Explore food science, nutritional impacts across diets, and sustainability in raw materials and products.
• Consumer Behaviour and Consumer Science: Explore social and psychological drivers of consumer behaviour, consumption trends, and future patterns with a sustainability focus.
• Research methods: Build foundations in social science research, analyse qualitative and quantitative data, and integrate theory, data, and interpretation.
• Electives (choose three): Assessing Food Quality; Digital Transformation in the Food Sector; Innovative Product Development; Innovation Management in the Food Sector; Quality Management and Certification for Organic Foods; Strategic Management; Sustainable Food Systems and Management
• Profile module: Choose a module closely aligned with the individual academic focus.
• Master's thesis

Programme Structure
Full-time over four semesters (starts October): three semesters of modules (14 in total), one for your Master's thesis

Teaching & Assessment
Lectures, workshops, seminars, projects, and group work—especially in the Advanced Research Project
Assessed via exams, reports, presentations, and practicals

Joint Degree
20+ years of success:

• Fulda University of Applied Sciences (Nutritional, Food, and Consumer Sciences) and
• Kassel University – Witzenhausen campus (Organic Agricultural Sciences)

Classes are split between Witzenhausen and Fulda.

University of Kassel, Witzenhausen campus

Please note that there is no compulsory internship. Programme advisers are available to assist students in finding appropriate internships.

• Applicants with a first academic degree acquired outside of Germany: from 1 December to 1 March
• Applicants with degrees earned in Germany: from 1 June to 1 September

Open to students from nutrition, food and consumer sciences, food technology, agricultural science, and related fields

A solid Bachelor's with a final grade of at least German 2.4 equivalent is needed.

A semester contribution of around 400 EUR is charged to cover the cost of student services, the student government, and an administrative fee as well as the "Deutschland semester ticket" (a student bus and rail pass for local and regional public transport all over Germany).

Approx. 900 to 950 EUR per month, including food, rent and health insurance (approx. 140 EUR per month), depending on one's living standard
https://www.hs-fulda.de/en/international/costs-and-funding 

From tutoring jobs and student assistantships at Fulda University to typical student jobs in restaurants, shops, and many other industries in the city of Fulda and its surrounding area, a wide range of job opportunities is available. Please note that proficiency in German significantly increases employability.

International students may apply for the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship.

Both universities offer international students support in the form of career services and departmental placement officers.

The International Office offers an accommodation service for international students coming directly from abroad. The cost of accommodation amounts to approx. 400 to 500 EUR per month. There are excellent, newly built student residences within walking distance of the university.

For more information on housing, see: https://www.hs-fulda.de/en/international/international-students/housing.

Fulda University of Applied Sciences is a practice-oriented university with an international profile and a strong focus on applied research. Fulda University is the first university of applied sciences in Germany with the independent right to confer doctoral degrees. Founded in 1974, the university currently encompasses eight departments with over 60 study programmes and approx. 9,700 students, including over 3,200 international students from more than 90 countries. The university offers a broad range of academic and professional education. Numerous research and development projects are undertaken in cooperation with private business and industry. Fulda University cooperates with more than 100 universities around the world. The number of international programmes is growing continuously. These programmes are partly or entirely taught in English.
At the Bachelor's level, we currently offer six international Bachelor's programmes: Industrial Biotechnology, Industrial Engineering Life Sciences, Social Sciences for Intercultural Relations, Food Technology, Global Health, and International Business & Management. At the Master's level, we offer seven programmes: International Management; Intercultural Communication and European Studies; International Food Business and Consumer Studies; Global Software Development; Data Science; Nutrition, Health and Food Systems as well as Human Rights Studies in Politics, Law, and Society.

Further programmes designed for international students include the following:

1. Pre-College Fulda, a preparatory year for applicants with and without a higher education entrance qualification for Germany
2. Pre-Study Fulda, a preparatory semester for international applicants that includes German language training
3. Career service for international students and graduates
4. Preparatory intensive German courses
5. German courses (accompanying studies)
6. Support services, e.g. for housing and visa as well as a buddy programme and orientation week
7. International Summer University (ISU), International Winter University (IWU), International Course in Business (ICB), and International Course in Social Work (ICSW)

A historic city founded in 744, Fulda today has a population of 71,000 with approx. 100,000 people living in the region. Fulda's Baroque quarter is one of the most beautiful in Germany and attracts visitors from all over the world. The picturesque Old Town has many cafés, bars, and pubs, with numerous shops and boutiques. The city's cultural life has something to offer for everyone. The high quality of life makes Fulda a great place to live and an ideal place to study. Fulda enjoys ideal public transport connections. One of Europe's principal international airports, Frankfurt International, is just one hour away by car or direct train. Other major cities in Germany, like Berlin, Munich, Cologne, or Hamburg, are within easy reach and only two to three hours away by train. Even famous European capitals like Paris and Brussels are reachable within five hours by train.