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

University of Kassel, Witzenhausen campus

The course is entirely taught in English. Participants write their Master's theses in English as well.

The food business is a complex and ever-changing landscape, with numerous stakeholders involved at every stage of the supply chain. Our students are equipped with the essential skills and knowledge to navigate this landscape, from producers and retailers to consumers and health professionals. They are trained to innovate and market food products and related services tailored to the diverse needs of different consumer groups with a clear focus on sustainability.

If you want to work closely with fellow students and academic staff, our programme is for you. Our facilities offer a vibrant postgraduate community, professionally accredited courses, and a supportive learning and research environment, all of which make us an excellent choice for your postgraduate studies.

Compulsory modules are:

• The International Legislation on Consumer Protection and Food module introduces the key institutions and related bodies in the EU as well as the food labelling, the legislation on the production, distribution or sale of novel or functional foods, risk management and risk communication, the barriers to the free movement of goods, and the national food control systems in Europe.
• International Organic Food Markets and Marketing provides a framework for developing a marketing strategy and marketing concept on international markets. Students gain an understanding of international organic regulations.
• Food Product Development explores stages of product development, quality function deployment, processing and product formulations, food regulations, food additives, product testing, shelf-life studies, and factors affecting shelf life.
• The Advanced Research Project module gives you the opportunity to develop advanced skills in managing research and development projects. In cooperation with external partners, you will work on interdisciplinary problems relevant to international food economics and consumer studies.
• Quality Management in Food Business addresses the product flow in the food supply chain, business processes in the food industry, conception of risk and product safety, traceability, and implementation.
• Trends in Food Sciences and Sustainable Consumption covers recent scientific results on food constituents and processing, their physiological effects within various nutritional patterns, and their influence on the quality of raw material and final food products.
• Consumer Behaviour and Consumer Science facilitates an understanding of the social and psychological impact on consumer behaviour, the recent developments in consumption, and the deduction of future trends with an emphasis on sustainability.

From a catalogue of business and food modules such as 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, or Sustainable Food Systems and Management, three elective modules will be chosen.

The Master's thesis is an individual research study. It enables students to generate and publish scientific data independently. Students usually work in cooperation with external partners.

• Applicants with a first academic degree acquired outside of Germany: 1 March in order to allow time for registration, financing, and visa formalities

• Applicants with degrees acquired in Germany: 1 September

The course of study is delivered over four semesters (full-time), starting in October. Teaching is organised on a module-credit basis and is offered over three semesters. The fourth semester is dedicated to the completion of a Master's thesis. Fourteen modules must be completed to finish the programme successfully. Further details on all subjects can be found on the website.

We use a variety of learning methods, including lectures, workshops, seminars, practical and project work. The Advanced Research Project module requires intensive group work and teamwork activities.

Each course module is assessed individually using a variety of methods, including reports, seminar papers, written examinations, project work, visual and oral presentations, workshops, simulations, and practical exercises.

The Master's programme is a very successful joint degree that has been offered by two German universities for over 20 years:

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

The main course location is the Witzenhausen campus. Classes are held in Fulda every Monday and Friday.

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The Master's programme has consistently attracted international students from all over the world, which ensures a high level of internationality when studying and collaborating in working and project groups.

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

No tuition fees

A semester contribution of around 360 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. 120 EUR per month), depending on one's living standard

The programme attracts students from a diverse range of academic disciplines, including nutrition, food and consumer sciences, food technology, agricultural science, and related fields.

Admission is normally open to applicants with a good undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent overseas degree from a recognised institution) with a "B (upper division) grade" average assessment on the final certificate or an average final grade of at least 2.5 on the German scale.

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate a satisfactory level of spoken and written English and provide proof of their language skills in English (B2 according to the CEF or equivalent certificate). Further information can be found at https://www.hs-fulda.de/ifbc/.

• Internet access, headset
• Platforms: Moodle
• Learning management systems: Webex, Zoom

• Applicants with a first academic degree acquired outside of Germany: 1 March in order to allow time for registration, financing, and visa formalities

• Applicants with degrees acquired in Germany: 1 September

International students may apply for the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship.

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, there is a wide range of job opportunities available. Please note that proficiency in German significantly increases employability.

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/ueber-fulda/reside-in-fulda.

Career service is provided for international students at both universities; a placement officer on a departmental level offers the students a professional advisory service.

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. 9,000 students, including over 2,230 international students from more than 90 countries. The university offers a broad spectrum 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 six programmes: International Management; Intercultural Communication and European Studies; International Food Business and Consumer Studies; Global Software Development; Data Science; and 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.