- Degree
- Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.)
- Admission restriction
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No
- Contact
- Application period
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28 April 2026 – 15 August 2026
What you can expect when you study Food Technology at Weihenstephan
The Food Technology degree programme is as diverse as the career opportunities in your future profession: from the theoretical scientific basics to practical implementation in production, marketing and trade. You will focus on raw materials as well as the technological aspects of production. Product development is just as important to you as the various sales opportunities in stationary and digital retail.
Whether microbiology, process engineering or food law, whether statistics, sensor technology or communication skills - at the University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf you will receive a comprehensive education that will prepare you optimally for a wide variety of industries and tasks. As a generalist, many doors will open for you.
You can find more videos about the degree programme on our YouTube channel
The contents of the Food Technology degree programme
Food Technology deals with the physical, chemical, microbiological, process engineering, legal and business aspects of food production. It is therefore an interdisciplinary engineering science and is part of the Nutrition & Food degree programmes at HSWT. The course content is correspondingly broad, as are the subsequent career opportunities.
These are the aspects you will encounter on the Bachelor's degree programme:
- Fundamentals: In the first semesters, you will primarily acquire basic scientific, mathematical and engineering knowledge. At the same time, from the 2nd semester onwards, the technological content starts with the module Cereal Technology.
- Theory of industrial food production: You will familiarise yourself with various industries and technologies that open up a wide range of processes in food production.
- Direct implementation in practical applications: In practical courses, you will learn to plan, control and monitor food technology processes. You will also deepen your understanding through excursions to food companies in order to design products and systems, develop them and operate systems.
- Jump-start your food start-up idea: As part of your bachelor's degree programme, you can use the facilities and laboratories at the Food Startup Incubator to get your food idea off the ground. Our experienced experts will also share their expertise in the field of entrepreneurship & food and coach you throughout the entire development process. Possible grants in kind minimise your financial risk.
Food Technology: Programme structure
The Study and examination regulations (SPO) specify which compulsory modules you must take on the Food Technology degree programme. You can also put together your study profile from many compulsory elective modules to suit your career aspirations and interests.
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1st semester
Module
ECTS
Chemical principles of food 6 Cell Biology & Nutritional Physiology 5 Fundamentals of scientific and technical work 3 Advanced mathematics 6
Physics I 6 Specialised elective module 3 -
2nd semester
Module
ECTS
Fundamentals of Computer Science 5 Elements of mechanical & apparatus engineering 5 Cereal technology
5 Statistics
5 Physics II 5 Food Chemistry 5 -
3rd semester
Module
ECTS
Microbiology
5 Preservation & packaging of food 5 Process Engineering I 5 Operation & Market 5 Food Law 5 Compulsory technological elective modules 6 -
4th semester
Module
ECTS
Food Analysis & Sensory Science 5 Marketing & Controlling 5 Quality Management 5 Food Microbiology & Hygiene 5 Process Engineering II 5 Process Engineering 5 -
5th semester
Module
ECTS
Practical semester with practical course 30 -
6th semester
Module
ECTS
Compulsory technological elective modules 9 Compulsory elective modules 3 Specialised elective modules 18 -
7th semester
Module
ECTS
Specialised elective modules 18 Bachelor thesis 12 -
(Technological) compulsory elective modules
Module ECTS Meat processing technology 3 Beverage technology 6 Fundamentals of chocolate technology 3 Food Hydrocolloids 3 Dairy Processing Technology 3 Processing technologies and applications of Fruits and Vegetables 3 -
(Specialised) compulsory elective modules
This list is updated at the beginning of the semester.
Module
ECTS
Food Startup Foundation 9 Flavour technology 6 Procurement 3 Digitisation technology 3 Confectionery technology 9 3D Food Printing 3 Introduction to molecular biological methods of food analysis 6 Functional food ingredients 6 Cosmetic products 3 Moderation, dialogue and conflict management 3 Scientific principles of food preparation 3 Petfood 6 Plant Proteins 3 Project Management 3 Rheology 6 Chocolate Technology 6 Statistical experimental design 3 Sustainability in Horticulture and Food Technology 3 Toxic ingredients 3 Product development
9 Business informatics 6 -
English-language study programme
Project Work in Food Technology Research
This involves working on a part of an ongoing research project and preparing a report in English (the number of working hours and thus the ECTS points to be achieved will be agreed individually).
English-language module offer
- Sustainability in Horticulture and Food Technology (summer semester)
- Plant Proteins (summer semester)
- Technical English for Food Technologists (every semester)
- Selection of further modules from other degree programmes at the university
Food Technology career prospects
The theoretical and practical knowledge you gain at HSWT will make you a sought-after Food Technology specialist who can gain a foothold in numerous industries. We have answers to questions you may have about your career:
Where could you work after studying Food Technology?
- in all sectors of the food industry, e.g. at confectionery manufacturers or dairies
- in related industries such as the pharmaceutical or cosmetics industry
- in the supply industry
- in a research institute, testing laboratory or in food monitoring
- in mechanical and plant engineering for the food industry or related industries
What could your tasks be?
- Production or plant management
- Process or product development
- Plant planning
- Quality management & food safety
- Purchasing, marketing & sales
- Management of chemical, microbiological or sensory laboratories
Food Technology: course with intensive practical work
The Bachelor's degree programme in Food Technology is also offered as a course with intensive practical work (StmvP). This dual study model offers you the opportunity to gain extensive professional experience in a Food Technology company during fixed practical phases alongside the regular Bachelor's degree programme.
The close integration of academic theory and professional practice opens up optimal career opportunities. After all, more and more companies are participating in dual study programmes in order to recruit managers with a high level of practical experience in good time.
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Organisation and schedule
The course with intensive practical work corresponds to the regular Food Technology degree programme in terms of content and timetable. Students start their studies on 1 October of the year of application.
During the first two semesters of study, those interested in the dual study programme can apply to companies in the food industry. The companies select suitable applicants who join the dual study programme after the lecture period of the second semester. The University of Applied Sciences provides assistance with this.
During the rest of the study period, practical assignments take place during the lecture-free period and in the practical semester . Students receive a monthly salary for the duration of the dual study model. The amount of the remuneration is agreed between the company and the student. The Bachelor's thesis is written in collaboration with the company. The aim of the dual study model is to offer the student a job after completing their studies.
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Information events
Every year during the summer semester, the cooperating companies present their offerings to the students of the second semester.
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Become a co-operation partner
HSWT maintains intensive contact with potential partner companies in order to facilitate the dual study programme in Food Technology. Interested companies should get in touch with the HSWT contacts for the degree programme in Food Technology at the HSWT, where they will also receive an individualised sample education contract for the
degree programme in Food Technology at the HSWT. The sample educational contract for the course with intensive practical work (Bachelor) can also be viewed on the hochschule dual - Eine Initiative von University of applied sciences Bayern e. V. website. -
Documents for download
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Contact persons for the course with intensive practical work
Prof Dr Özlem Özmutlu Karslioglu
Sabrina Bender
Food Technology degree programme: Requirements
Admission to the degree programme in Food Technology is not restricted in the sense of an NC (Numerus Clausus). However, you should fulfil the general admission requirements for studying at Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences. You can find these on the degree programme application page.
You can then apply online via the HSWT application portal.
The Study and examination regulations (SPO) of the degree programme, which come into force in 2023, no longer require a compulsory internship before the start of the degree programme.
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Good reasons for a voluntary Preliminary work placement
- You will gain an insight into a Food Technology company.
- You will familiarise yourself with the specific working world of Food Technology.
- You take on the perspective of a food technologist and learn industry-typical manual skills.
- You will strengthen your motivation for your studies.
When researching a suitable company for a Preliminary work placement, you will get to know companies in your region.
Why study Food Technology at Weihenstephan?
Top study conditions
During your studies, you can expect application-related courses, exercises and internships. The HSWT also promotes networking with other institutions at the Weihenstephan site (including the Fraunhofer Institute) and companies in the food industry.
Individual specialisation
Customise your study profile according to your interests and select the appropriate modules. You can also use the facilities of the Centre for Research & Knowledge Transfer and the Institute for Food Technology - your link to research.
Diverse student life
The student city of Freising offers you a wide range of social, sporting and cultural opportunities. Numerous student events take place at the Weihenstephan campus. If you fancy the big city, Munich is not far away.
