Updated October 18, 2022
MSc Food and Nutrition or Master of Science in Food and Nutrition is a two-year postgraduate degree in food science that deals with all technical aspects of food, beginning with harvesting or slaughtering and ending with its cooking and consumption. The program covers nuances of food science to provide deep knowledge of the science of food safety and nutrition.
Admissions to the MSc in Food and Nutrition course are either made based on the Merit of the candidates in their graduation exam or entrance performance. Institutions that follow the entranced-based admission process also invite candidates to the counseling sessions, including personal interviews and group discussions, after qualifying for the written examinations.
MSc Food and Nutrition Course Highlights
| Course Name | MSc Food and Nutrition |
| Full Form | Master of Science in Food and Nutrition |
| Education level | Post-graduation |
| Course Duration | Two years |
| Examination Pattern | Semesters-Wise |
| Minimum Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Home Science, Nutrition, Dietetics, Clinical Biochemistry, Life Sciences, and other relevant disciplines from a recognized university with 55% of marks. |
| Admission process | Entrance and Merit based |
| Average fee Incurred | INR 10K to 1 Lakh Per Annum |
| Average salary Offered | INR 5 to 8 Lakh Per Annum |
| Top recruiting Firms | Minute Maid, Britannia, Cadbury, Nestle, and many other international firms |
| Top Job profiles | Diet Technician, Nutrition Manager, Marketing or Sales Consultant, Quality Control Manager, etc. |
| Higher Studies Options | PhD and MPhil in Food Science and Nutrition |
MSc Food and Nutrition Eligibility Criteria
Candidates aspiring to pursue the Master of Science in Food and Nutrition course must meet the specific eligibility criteria. Listed below are the eligibility criteria asked by most institutions offering the program. Anyone can opt for the MSc Food and Nutrition course that meets the following criteria.
- The candidate must have completed their graduation from a recognized institution in a relevant discipline with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks.
- They should have graduated in either of the disciplines: Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Home Science, Nutrition, Dietetics, Clinical Biochemistry, Life Sciences, and other relevant disciplines.
M.Sc. Food and Nutrition Admission Process
Candidates who have completed the BSc program in MSc Food and Nutrition or the relevant field can apply to this course. The colleges commonly give admission to the Master of Science in Food and Nutrition program based on the candidates’ marks in their graduation degree or their performances in the entrance examinations such as GATE, AIJEE, CFTRI, etc. The admission process mentioned above varies depending on the institution. So, candidates are requested to visit the official website of the respective universities/colleges they have selected for admission.
MSc Food and Nutrition Entrance Exams
Various national and universities level entrance exams are conducted by admission authorities to provide access to the program. A few important entrance exams for M.Sc. in Food Science and Nutrition are listed below.
- GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)
- AUCET (Andhra Pradesh University common entrance)
- CFTRI EE (Central Food Technological Research Institute Entrance Exam)
- MDUCEE (Maharshi Dayanand University Common Entrance Examination)
Top MSc in Food and Nutrition Colleges
Colleges and universities that offer the MSc in Food Science and Nutrition Course are in significant numbers. Some of the leading institutions for the program are listed below.
- Lady Irwin College, New Delhi
- Manav Rachna University, Faridabad
- Lovely Professional University, Punjab
- Orissa University of Agriculture, Orissa
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
- Government Home Science College, Chandigarh
- Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda , Baroda
- Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur
Master of Science in Food and Nutrition Syllabus
The Master of Science in Food and Nutrition is a two-year postgraduate degree program, and the course syllabus incorporates various vital aspects of food science. However, the syllabus for the program may vary from institution to institution, but the theme remains the same. A semester-wise breakup of the MSc Food Science and Nutrition syllabus as prescribed by various Universities and Colleges offering the program is tabulated below.
Particulars of MSc Food and Nutrition Syllabus
| Semesters | Syllabus |
| Semester I | Human Physiology |
| Introduction to Computers | |
| Problems in Human Nutrition | |
| Nutrition for Health and Fitness | |
| Research Methods in Food Science and Nutrition | |
| Statistical Methods in Food Science and Nutrition | |
| Nutrition Epidemiology, Pediatric and Geriatric Nutrition | |
| Semester II | Food Microbiology |
| Food Processing and Technology | |
| Scientific Writing and Nutrition Communications | |
| Techniques and Instrumentation in Nutrition Research | |
| Food Product: Development Safety and Quality Control | |
| Specialization I: Food Processing Nutrition in Disease and Disorders | |
| Institutional Food Administration and Country and Continental Cuisines | |
| Semester III | Advanced Food Science |
| Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics | |
| Applied and Community Nutrition | |
| Specialization II: Therapeutic Nutrition | |
| Biochemistry II: Metabolism and Diagnostic Biochemistry | |
| Semester IV | Project |
| Advanced Nutrition | |
| Common Practical Papers | |
| Nutrition and Critical Care | |
| Biochemistry I: Biomolecules and Energetics |
M.Sc. Food Science and Nutrition Future Scope
The career avenues for the M.Sc. Food Science and Nutrition graduates are quite broad, and they can explore career opportunities in both public and private workforces. After completing the program, they can take up jobs in employment sectors like Colleges and Universities, Hotels, Sports Clubs, Public Health Centers, Food Processing Companies, etc.
A wide variety of jobs are available for the candidates after completing the program with the evolution of food technology across the world. Graduates can go into research and development or start a career in academia as lecturers and professors. Options are also available for those aspiring to higher degree education in the field, such as MPhil and Ph.D. in Food Science and Nutrition.
Top MSc Food and Nutrition Job Profiles
The field of Food Science & Nutrition is evolving daily, increasing the demand for professionals. After completing M.Sc. Food Science and Nutrition Program, candidates get hired by firms like Minute Maid, Britannia, Cadbury, Nestle, and other top food companies or various job roles. Some of the top profiles available for the candidates after completing the program are listed below.
- Nutritionist
- Food Scientist
- Food technologist
- Preserving Supervisor
- Academic Professional
- Quality control manager
- Clinical & Therapeutic Dietician
Salary after MSc Food and Nutrition Course
The MSc Food Science and Nutrition graduates can expect an average salary between INR 5 to 8 Lakh Per Annum as per their job positions and organizations of working. However, their salary may also increase with gaining experience and polishing skillset. Below are some top food science and nutrition profiles with their salary structure.
- Nutritionist:- INR 5 Lakh Per Annum
- Food Scientist:- INR 4 Lakh Per Annum
- Food technologist:- INR 4 Lakh Per Annum
- Quality control manager:- INR 6 Lakh Per Annum
FAQs on M.Sc. Food Science and Nutrition Course
Ans:- After completing the MSc Food Science and Nutrition course, candidates have a huge career scope. They are hired in the food service, health care field, research & development, etc., for different job roles with decent salary packages.
Ans:- The average salary offered to the MSc Food science, and Nutrition graduates range from INR 5 to 8 Lakh Per Annum, depending on their job profiles and the organizations they work for. However, their salary also increases with gaining some experience in the field.
Ans:- Yes, indeed, MSc in Food Science and nutrition career-oriented program. After completing the program, candidates can apply for government and private jobs. Candidates can also start a career in education as a lecturer, associate professor, and professor.
Ans:- The top 10 best career options candidates can aspire for after pursuing the program are Nutritional aide, Food service associate, Nutrition assistant, Caterer, Chef, Health coach, Health educator, Nutrition writer, etc.