Global Food, Nutrition and Health (MSc)

The gap in food availability between high-income and low-income countries is widening. While the global hunger index published by Welthungerhilfe, IFPRI and Concern Worldwide indicates alarming levels of hunger in many countries, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and young people is rising worldwide. To understand and address this “double burden of malnutrition”, a comprehensive interdisciplinary perspective is necessary, taking into account the adverse effects of climate change as well as the complex political, social, and cultural dimensions of food, nutrition and health. The Master’s programme in “Global Food, Nutrition and Health" (GFNH) teaches students the interdisciplinary skills that are necessary to develop and implement solutions to these truly global challenges at the intersection of food, nutrition and health. The core competencies taught in the programme enable our graduates to understand and solve problems in the field of global food, nutrition and health from an interdisciplinary perspective. To this end, the programme combines insights from health and nutritional sciences with an interdisciplinary social science perspective that draws on political science, law, management, sociology and public health. GFNH is ideal for graduates of nutrition and health sciences, medicine or ecotrophology who want to upskill and prepare themselves for careers in international organisations, NGOs or development cooperation. GFNH is also a great fit for social science graduates, e.g. in political science, sociology or anthropology, who want to develop or deepen a thematic focus on food, nutrition and health. The programme expects students to be committed to developing an interdisciplinary social science perspective, given that courses in political science, sociology, law, business and public health are at the core of the GFNH curriculum. The international Master's programme in "Global Food, Nutrition and Health" (MSc) takes four semesters (full-time) and comprises 120 ECTS credits. In each semester, 30 ECTS credits are earned. The programme is structured in modules. During the first and second semesters, students gain fundamental knowledge in the subject fields of food, nutrition and health in a global context. Furthermore, they are trained in different research strategies and methods in science and practice. In the third semester, elective modules and a compulsory internship enable students to acquire competences according to their own fields of interest. The fourth semester is devoted to preparing the Master's thesis, which concludes the programme. The interdisciplinary approach of the study programme is strengthened both by the corresponding course offerings and by innovative teaching and learning methods, including diverse examination forms throughout the entire course of study. The study programme takes place at the newly founded Faculty of Life Sciences: Food, Nutrition and Health in Kulmbach (around 25 km away from the main campus of the University of Bayreuth). Kulmbach is not only home to some globally recognised companies, but also to the Max Rubner Institute, the Bavarian Control Authority for Food Safety and Veterinary Medicine, KErn (Competence Centre for Nutrition), the State Technical College for Food Technology and the Kulmbach Clinical Centre. All of them are involved in research projects and teaching at the Faculty. Here, global and local aspects meet in a special place full of creativity and pioneering spirit. Be part of it and apply for the Master's programme! We are looking forward to welcoming you to Kulmbach. Get a deeper understanding of the Faculty of Life Sciences upfront by enrolling in the University of Bayreuth’s Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) "Conscious Grocery Shopping: Sustainability, Nutrition, Health and Law". The free audit track is a great way to get to know the lecturers and the research at the University of Bayreuth. On top of that, you can earn a certificate after pa

Course details verified 09 Sep 2026 — intakes, entry requirements and course facts · official source

1. Winter semester

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E.G. IELTS Academic: 7 UNIcert® English: UNIcert® III TOEFL iBT (before 2026): 95 Reading: 24 Listening: 22 Speaking: 25 Writing: 24 Cambridge English Qualifications: C1 Advanced

Prerequisites

The academic admission requirement is a Bachelor's degree with a final grade of 2.5 ("gut") or better in nutrition or health sciences, e.g. in food and health sciences, nutrition sciences, health economics, nursing/care, psychology, social sciences, politics, medicine or public health. Applicants who have obtained their degree abroad also have to upload the application documents via uni-assist and undergo a fee-based special procedure. Applicants can find the relevant information for the document checking process here. There will be an aptitude test. For further information on the application process, please visit our website.

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