MSc Food Science and Technology is a 2 year postgraduate degree course designed for the understanding of the fundamentals of food production, its packaging and its hygiene. It involves a detailed study of subjects like Food Chemistry, Food Microbiology, Diary Technology, Poultry Technology etc. To be eligible for MSc Food Science and Technology course, a candidate must complete BSc in Food Science and Technology or other related stream with minimum 50% aggregate marks from a recognised board or university.
MSc Food Science and Technology students study the genetic structure of plants and crops and to find out alternative sources of nutrition required for the human body. MSc Food Science and Technology graduates can also opt for MBA courses as it will provide them with a variety of options to choose their job. Admission to this course can be either merit based or entrance based, but most of the top colleges offering this course conduct entrance exams for admission. Some of the popular Entrance Exams include BHU PET, OUCET etc. Some of the top universities according to the NIRF Ranking offering MSc Food Science and Technology courses are listed below. The average annual fees for studying MSc Food Science and Technology course in India ranges between INR 50,000 to INR 1,25,000, depending on the type of the institute. Also Check: Top Food Technology Courses
After completing MSc Food Science and Technology, a candidate is generally offered job profiles like Food Technologist, Nutritionist, Quality Control Inspector, Quality Assurance Manager, etc. The average starting salary offered to these candidates ranges between INR 3,00,000 to INR 4,00,000. However, the average salary for an experienced candidate with MSc Food Science and Technology in India is around INR 4,50,000. The salary is expected to increase with increase in experience. Read More: Salary of a Food Technologist
MSc Food Science and Technology: Course Highlights
The MSc Food Science and Technology is a very important course in the field of food and agriculture. The major highlights of the course are tabulated below.
| Course Duration | 2 Years |
| Eligibility | BSc in Food Science and Technology or other related stream |
| Admission Process | Entrance-Based or Merit-based |
| Course Fee | INR 50,000 to INR 1,25,000 |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 3,00,000 to INR 4,00,000 |
| Job Options | Food Technologist, Food Scientist, Nutritionist, Quality Control Inspector, Quality Assurance Manager, etc. |
| Areas of Employment | Quality Control Laboratories, Research Centres, Fisheries and Poultries, etc. |
All About MSc Food Science and Technology Course
MSc Food Science and Technology is a very detailed postgraduate course which covers every aspect of food production, food sources, diets, and types of food preparation and preservation.
- MSc Food Science and Technology course includes subjects like Food Processing and Technology, Food Biochemistry, Food Microbiology, etc.
- These subjects mainly discuss ways to preserve food, the effects of microbial infection in food, and the biochemical aspects of food.
- Along with these, the course also includes topics related to dairy farming, fish farming, Poultry, etc. It also discusses ways of better crop production, how to utilise the maximum benefits of vegetables, cereals and pulses.
- MSc Food Science and Technology course will impart skills to become food scientists, quality control officers, etc.
- The candidates can also learn proper ways to produce milk, eggs, etc which will help them to set up their own businesses in future.
MSc Food Science and Technology is a vast course with multiple benefits, some of which are discussed below.
- MSc Food Science and Technology plethora of opportunities for students who wish to pursue a course in food technology and Food Science like Quality Control, Food Processing and Preservation, Farming Techniques, etc. As a result, it leads to many different kinds of job opportunities.
- The candidates with MSc Food Science and Technology get opportunities for government jobs like quality control experts, food laboratory researchers, etc. The salary for these job profiles is also good.
- During this course, the candidates will learn the effective ways of Dairy Farming, Poultry Farming, Fishery Farming, etc.
- The candidates will also learn effective ways of Food Processing and Preservation. This will help them to get jobs in the various Food Processing Centres.
- The candidates may also set up their own farms in future and start farming business. They can also start food processing units as well.
Also checkout: Jobs after MSc degree
MSc Food Science and Technology: Admission Process
Some colleges offering MSc Food Science and Technology offer admission on the basis of marks obtained in graduation, while many reputed universities like BHU, Calicut University, etc conduct entrance exams for admission to the course. The two processes have been discussed in detail below.
Merit-Based Admission
Many colleges like Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences follow a merit based admission process for admission to MSc Food Science and Technology. The step wise admission process is discussed below.
- Application: The students need to fill the application form to apply to the university through the official university website. The application forms are generally released in the month of April - May.
- Generation of Merit List: A merit list of shortlisted candidates will be prepared on the basis of marks obtained in graduation.
- Counselling and Document Verification: The shortlisted candidates will be called for Counselling and document verification. The candidates will have to show the relevant documents to prove their eligibility.
- Enrollment: The candidates found eligible will be granted admission to the course.
Entrance Based Admission
The stepwise admission process for universities offering admission to MSc Food Science and Technology course on entrance exam basis is discussed below.
- Application: The candidates will have to apply for both college and entrance exams.
- Entrance Exam: The exam will be conducted either on online or offline mode, though most exams are conducted online.
- Results and Cutoffs: Along with the results of individual candidates, a cutoff list will also be released. The candidates qualifying the cutoff will be shortlisted for next round.
- Document Verification: The shortlisted candidates will be called for document verification. The candidates will have to present their marksheets and other documents to prove their eligibility.
- Enrollment: The candidates found eligible will be granted admission to the course.
Check out: BHU Admission 2024
MSc Food Science and Technology: Eligibility Criteria
For admission to MSc Food Science and Technology course, a candidate must qualify certain eligibility criteria. The major eligibility criteria are listed below.
- The candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology or other related stream like Agriculture, Food Technology, Diary Technology, etc from a recognised board or university.
- The candidates must obtain minimum 50% marks in graduation to be eligible for this course.
- The candidates must qualify the required entrance exam as decided by the university.
MSc Food Science and Technology: Entrance Exams
There are many university level entrance exams for admission to MSc Food Science and Technology course, some of which are discussed below.
- BHU-PET: BHU Postgraduate Entrance Test is conducted by Banaras Hindu University for granting admission to all the postgraduate courses offered by the university. It is an all-India level online CBT entrance exam conducted in multiple cities throughout the country.
- OUCET: OUCET, also known as CPGET, is conducted by the Osmania University for admission to PG courses offered by the University and all the colleges affiliated by the University.
Important dates related to MSc Food Science and Technology Entrance Exams are tabulated below.
| Entrance Exams | Registration | Exam Dates |
|---|---|---|
| CUET PG | December 27, 2023 | 11th March to 28th March, 2024 |
| BITSAT | Last week of January 2024 | Last week of May 2024 |
| NEST | To Be Announced | To Be Announced |
| IIT JAM | September 5, 2023 | February 11, 2024 |
| DUET | February 2024 | 15th – 31st May 2024 |
| TISS NET | February 2024 | 11th March to 28th March, 2024 |
MSc Food Science and Technology: Entrance Exams Preparation
The question pattern for MSc Food Science and Technology Entrance Exams will vary from exam to exam.
- Most of the entrance exams will consist of multiple choice questions, though few exams may also ask short answer type questions.
- The syllabus mainly consists of topics taught at the UG level.
- Along with it, most of the MSc Food Science and Technology Entrance Exams also ask questions on topics like General Aptitude, English Language Comprehension, Mathematical and Logical Reasoning and Current Affairs.
- The candidates must complete all the topics covered at the UG level very nicely, as most of the questions will be from these topics.
- The candidates should sort out the tougher chapters and revise them properly.
- The candidates must complete the entire syllabus before one month of the exam, so that they can give enough time for practice and revision.
- The candidates must practice sample question papers within a fixed time in the exam-like environment.
- The candidates must keep a note of the mistakes committed by them during the practice tests, and make sure you don't repeat the same during the main exam.
- The candidates must sharpen their calculation and try to calculate as fast as they can.
The question pattern for BHU-PET is discussed below.
- The question paper will consist of 120 questions. The maximum marks will be 360.
- The questions will be MCQ type. The exam will have negative marking.
- For each correct answer, 3 marks will be awarded, while for each incorrect response, 1 mark will be deducted.
- The time duration of the exam will be 120 minutes. The time duration is set expecting that the candidate would spare one minute for each question.
How to get Admission in Top MSc Food Science and Technology Colleges
To get admission in top MSc Food Science and Technology colleges, the candidates should make sure that they score really well in the entrance exams. The following points must be kept in mind:
- The top most universities like BHU, thousands of candidates compete for a limited number of seats. So, the cutoffs for these colleges are really high.
- The candidates must attempt at least 90-95% of the total entrance question paper, so that they can score well above the cutoffs.
- Also, never answer a question if you are not sure, as these questions will carry negative marks.
- The candidates should also be well prepared for the interview and counselling process.
- The candidates must fill their application form very carefully as any wrong information given may lead to cancellation of their candidature.
Checkout: MSc Admission 2024
MSc Food Science and Technology: Syllabus
The MSc Food Science and Technology course is a very detailed and vast course covering every aspect of Food Science. The semester wise breakup of the subjects taught in the MSc Food Science and Technology course is given in the table below.
| Semester I | Semester II |
|---|---|
| Principles of Food Processing and Preservation | Principles of Food Engineering |
| Food Microbiology | Cereal and Legume Technology |
| Food Chemistry | Fruit and Vegetable Technology |
| Biochemistry and Nutrition | Fermentation Technology |
| Dietetics | Dairy Technology |
| Lab I | Lab III |
| Lab II | Lab IV |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Technology of Meat and Fishes | Post-Harvest Technology |
| Poultry Technology | Plantation Crops |
| Food Quality and Safety Management | Technology of Oilseeds and Fats |
| Food Additives and Contaminants | Food Packaging |
| Food Toxicology | Food Biotechnology |
| Lab V | Lab VII |
| Lab VI | Project Work |
MSc Food Science and Technology: Top Colleges
This course is mainly offered by the agricultural universities, technical universities and veterinary and fishery universities, but many other top universities and colleges also offer this course.
| College Name | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi | Entrance Based | INR 73,307 |
| Calicut University, Calicut | Entrance Based | INR 1,03,000 |
| Pondicherry University, Puducherry | Entrance Based | INR 26,218 |
| Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar | Entrance Based | INR 95,200 |
| Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore | Merit Based | INR 75,000 |
| Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow | Entrance Based | INR 58,150 |
| Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, Kolkata | Entrance Based | INR 60,300 |
| Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Srinagar | Entrance Based | INR 30,600 |
| Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochi | Entrance Based | INR 80,000 |
| Parul University, Vadodara | Merit Based | INR 60,000 |
MSc Food Science and Technology: College Comparison
The top colleges offering MSc Food Science and Technology courses have been compared in the table given below on the basis of Fees, Salary, Admission Process, etc.
| Parameters | Banaras Hindu University | Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology | Lovely Professional University |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | Banaras Hindu University or BHU is one of the Largest Residential Public Universities not only in India but in the entire East Asia. | Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology is a public technical university located in Haringhata. | Lovely Professional University is one of the major private deemed universities of Punjab. It is ranked amongst top universities in India in both overall and engineering category. |
| Location | Varanasi | Kolkata | Jalandhar |
| Admission Process | Entrance Based | Entrance Based | Entrance Based |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 73,307 | INR 60,300 | INR 95,200 |
| Average Placement Salary | INR 4,50,000 | INR 4,50,000 | INR 3,81,000 |
| Top Recruiters | IBM, ICICI, JP Morgan, Flipkart, Goldman Sachs, etc. | Oracle, Hitachi, TCS, Infosys, Wipro | Amazon, TCS, Flipkart, Paytm, Cognizant, Intel |
MSc Food Science and Technology Course Comparison
MSc Food Science and Technology vs MSc Dairy Technology
MSc Food Science and Technology covers every aspect of Food Science including Dairy Farming but MSc Dairy Technology concentrates only on Dairy Farming. The difference between two courses have been discussed in the table below.
| Parameters | MSc Food Science and Technology | MSc Dairy Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Master of Science in Food Science and Technology | Master of Science in Dairy Technology |
| Overview | MSc Food Science and Technology include subjects like Food Quality, Food Processing Technology, Vegetable Technology, Food Biochemistry, Food Microbiology, etc. It also includes basics of Dairy, Poultry and Fishery Farming. | MSc Dairy Technology concentrates on every aspect of Dairy Products, effective methods of Dairy Production and Processing, Breeding Methods of Dairy Animals, etc. |
| Duration | 2 years | 2 years |
| Eligibility | BSc in Food Science and Technology or any other related stream | BSc in Dairy Technology, Animal Husbandry, etc. |
| Admission Process | Entrance-Based or Merit-based | Entrance-Based or Merit-based |
| Top Colleges | Banaras Hindu University, Calicut University, Pondicherry University, Lovely Professional University, etc. | National Dairy Research Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Anand Agriculture University, etc. |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 50,000 to 1,25,000 | INR 25,000 to 50,000 |
| Job Profiles | Food Technologist, Food Scientist, Nutritionist, Quality Control Inspector, Quality Assurance Manager, etc. | Dairy Plant Manager, Dairy Scientist, Dairy Technician, Quality Control Manager, etc. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 3,00,000 to 4,00,000 | INR 3,00,000 to 4,00,000 |
MSc Food Science and Technology: Jobs
MSc Food Science and Technology opens multiple job opportunities in multiple fields like food processing, food packaging, food quality inspection, Dairy and Poultry Farming, etc. The average salary for these candidates ranges between INR 4,00,000 to INR 5,00,000. Some of the major job profiles for MSc Food Science and Technology candidates along with their salary trends are tabulated in the table given below.
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Food Technologist | Food Technologists work to produce new food products, flavours, processes, etc for the food company where they work. | INR 4,29,000 |
| Quality Control Inspector | Quality control inspectors generally work in research laboratories where they check the quality of the food and any defects and alterations in the same. | INR 2,50,000 |
| Quality Control Manager | The Quality Control Manager of a company generally works for improving the quality of the food produced and also checking the quality of the existing products. | INR 4,50,000 |
| Research Analyst | Research Analyst research on the different aspects of Food production, food processing and food toxification. | INR 5,00,000 |
| Nutritionist | Nutritionists decide the nutrition value of food and advise clients the right type of food that they need to take, depending on their body needs. | INR 4,10,000 |
| Food Processing Manager | A food processing manager looks after the food processing activities in a food processing unit. They also advise on new food processing principles. | INR 4,00,000 |
| Process Technician | A food processing technician conducts the food processing activities and performs the required processes. | INR 3,25,000 |
| Dietician | A dietician prepares the required diet chart for his clients after looking after the various medical and health requirements of the client. | INR 3,80,000 |
MSc Food Science and Technology Future Scope
After completing MSc Food Science and Technology, a candidate can also go for higher studies. This course offers a large number of attractive career options. The graduates can choose to go for higher studies or opt for a decent job. Some of the higher study options for MSc Food graduates are:
- MSc Food Science and Technology graduates can seek jobs in different domains such as restaurants, catering establishments, hospitals, food processing companies, etc. as the food technology field requires professionals to handle all the activities.
- Students after MSc Food and Technology can also opt for MBA courses or Phd courses and enhance their academic knowledge through this course.
- They can also work with CSIR, ICAR & ICMR Institutes, BARC, DRDO, ISRO, TIFR, National Innovation Foundation (NIF), etc.
- MSc Food and Technology graduates can also opt for MPhil courses as it will provide better career opportunities in the field of academics and research.
MSc Food and Technology: FAQs
Ques. Does BHU offer placements opportunities for MSc Food Science and Technology students?
Ans. Though Placement Opportunities are offered to every candidate, the candidates will have to develop their skills for fetching better jobs.
Ques. What is the Eligibility Criteria for MSc Food Science and Technology?
Ans. For admission to MSc Food Science and Technology, the candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology or other related stream like Agriculture, Food Technology, Diary Technology, etc from a recognised board or university. The candidates must obtain minimum 50% marks in graduation to be eligible for this course.
Ques. Do DY Patil University, Navi Mumbai offer MSc Food Science and Technology?
Ans. Yes, DY Patil University, Navi Mumbai offers MSc in Food Science and Technology. The average annual fees for the course is INR 1,25,000.
Ques. Can a candidate with MSc in Food Science and Technology work as a nutritionist?
Ans. A candidate with an MSc degree in Food Science and Technology can work as a private nutritionist for his clients.
Ques. What are the average fees for studying MSc Food Science and Technology in India?
Ans. The average annual fees for studying MSc Food Science and Technology ranges between INR 50,000 to 1,25,000.
Ques. Will I get government jobs after completing MSc Food Science and Technology?
Ans. Yes, Government jobs are available for MSc Food Science and Technology candidates. They are generally offered job profiles like Food Quality Inspector, Researchers, Food Technologist, etc.
Ques. Can I do an MSc in Food Science and Technology if I have a BSc in Dairy Technology?
Ans. Though the eligibility criteria vary from college to college, many reputed universities like BHU allow candidates with BSc in Dairy Technology to get admission in MSc Food Science and Technology.
Ques. Can I do an MSc in Food Science and Technology if I have a BSc in Agriculture?
Ans. Yes, many colleges and universities allow BSc Agriculture candidates to get admission in MSc Food Science and Technology. But, it is advised to get it confirmed by your college authority.
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