MSc Master of Food Technology

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English Language Requirements

TOEFL
The TOEFL test is a requirement for admission into colleges and universities where instruction is in English. In addition, many government, licensing, and certification agencies, as well as exchange and scholarship programs, use TOEFL scores to evaluate the English proficiency of people whose native language is not English.

ETS, the company behind TOEFL, now mainly organises an internet-based test, the TOEFL IBT. Various universities and other score users have reported their minimum score requirements to ETS. You can find more information in this PDF folder.

KU Leuven requirements
In general, KU Leuven requires a minimum score of 79-80 on the TOEFL iBT test (equivalent to 213 on a computer-based TOEFL test or to 550 on a paper-based TOEFL test). Please note, however, that certain academic programmes have higher language proficiency requirements so you must always check the admission requirements of the specific programme you would like to enrol in. Also, minimum scores for admission to a Predoctoral or Doctoral programme can be higher. Consult the website of the appropriate KU Leuven Doctoral School.

Comparison Table

TOEFL iBT

• 79-80
• 92-93
• 100

Computer-Based TOEFL

• 213
• 237
• 250

Paper-Based TOEFL

• 550
• 580-583
• 600-603

IELTS
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an international standardised test of English language proficiency. It is managed jointly, among others, by the British Council and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations.

KU Leuven requirements
KU Leuven accepts scores from the Academic Version IELTS test, which is intended for those who want to enrol in universities and other institutions of higher education. The minimum score required by KU Leuven is 6.5. Please note, however, that certain academic programmes have higher language proficiency requirements so you must always check the admission requirements of the specific programme you would like to enrol in. Also, minimum scores for admission to a Predctoral or Doctoral programme can be higher. Consult the website of the appropriate KU Leuven Doctoral School

ESOL Cambridge
Cambridge English exams: Academic and professional English 
KU Leuven accepts the Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) and the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). The First Certificate of English (FCE) is not accepted by KU Leuven.

Please note, however, that certain academic programmes have higher language proficiency requirements so you must always check the admission requirements of the specific programme you would like to enrol in. Also, minimum scores for admission to a Predoctoral or Doctoral programme can be higher. Consult the website of the appropriate KU Leuven Doctoral School.

• All non-native English applicants -- applicants who are not citizens of Australia, English-speaking Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States of America or who have not obtained a previous diploma in one of these countries -- must submit a certificate proving their proficiency in English. The Institute of Philosophy requires a minimum score of 90 - 100 pt. on the internet-based TOEFL, 600 pt. on the paper-based TOEFL or an IELTS score of 6.5 - 7.5 pt. If an applicant can provide a proof that s/he successfully completed at least one year of study in secondary or higher education or a whole of at least 54 credits in higher education in English (and at a native English speaking institution), s/he may request the Board of Admissions to be exempted from submitting another proof of language proficiency.
• However, in this case additional evidence of English proficiency may be required. Please note that the applicant is considered as exempted from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement only upon explicit permission from the Board of Admissions. For more information or to request this permission, please contact the International Programme .

Other Requirements

• Two or three letters of academic recommendation are required (in a standard format). Have them written by your instructors or people who know you well as a student, and have them sent directly by the persons who write them. The letters can be sent by e-mail to [email protected], provided they are sent from the official e-mail address of the referee. Confirmation of receipt is provided upon request. Hard copies of the letters are not required.
• MA and Research Master applicants: Upload a sample of what you regard as your best written work in philosophy. This should preferably be a research paper or thesis that you have submitted as part of course work at a previous school. The writing sample must be in English.
• All applicants are required to upload into their application file a letter of motivation in English (2-3 pages) where they describe their academic background and why they would like to study philosophy at the Institute of Philosophy. Please try also to answer the following question in the letter of motivation: Is there any significant experience that helped you define as a person and made you interested in philosophy?

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The Master of Science in Food Technology (120 ECTS) consists of four major segments:

• In-depth education segment (60 ECTS)
• Specialisation segment (18 ECTS)
• Elective courses segment (12 ECTS)
• Master’s thesis segment (30 ECTS) 

In the first year of the Master's programme, students will spend the first semester in Ghent and the second semester in Leuven. The second stage courses of the majors 'Postharvest and Food Preservation Engineering' and 'Food Science and Technology' are taught respectively at KU Leuven and UGent; at both universities, optional courses and thesis research topics are offered.

COURSE ECTS

FIRST YEAR 60

IN-DEPTH EDUCATION IN FOOD SCIENCE
• Biochemistry and Physiology of Perishable Crops2 4
• Food Chemistry and Analysis1 7
• Food Marketing and Consumer Behaviour1 4
• Food Microbiology and Analysis1 7
• Nutrition and Dietetics2 4

IN-DEPTH EDUCATION IN ENGINEERING AND FOOD ENGINEERING
• Applied Statistics1 5
• Engineering Properties and Principles of Food Machinery2 7
• Food Processing1 7
• Thermal Processing of Foods2 8
• Transport Phenomena and Engineering Kinetics2 7

COURSE ECTS

SECOND YEAR 60
MAJOR IN POSTHARVEST AND FOOD PRESERVATION ENGINEERING
• Design and Management of Storage and Distribution Structures2 5
• Low Temperature Processing of Foods2 5
• Mathematical Planning and Advanced Statistics2 4
• Postharvest courses (choose one of the following):
- Food Packaging and Transportation2 4
- HACCP-Concepts and Quality Assurance: Workshop2 4
- Postharvest Pest Management and Disease Control2 4

MAJOR IN FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
• Food Colloids1 5
• Functional Food1 5
• Statistical Topics in Food Technology1 4
• Product technology courses (choose one of the following):
- Technology of Fishery Products1 4
- Meat and Meat Product Technology1 4
- Milk and Dairy Technology1 4
- Plant Based Food Products and Ingredients1 4

ADDITIONAL ELECTIVE COURSES
• Cereal Science and Technology2 4
• Food Fermentations1 4
• Food Regulation: Workshop2 4
• Food Safety1 5
• Fruit and Vegetable Technology2 4
• Workshop Food Technology1,2 4
• Management and Marketing in the Agrifood Sector2 5
• Advanced Marketing and Agribusiness Management1 5
• Management in the Bio-economy2 5
• Low Temperature Processing of Foods2 5
• Postharvest Pest Management and Disease Control2 4
• Milk and Diary Technology1 4
• Plant Based Food Products and Ingredients1 4
• Technology of Fishery Products1 4
• Design and Management of Storage and Distribution Structures2 5
• Food Colloids1 5
• Functional Food1 5
• Meat and Meat Product Technology1 4

FOOD TECHNOLOGY THESIS RESEARCH PROJECT

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Flemish applicants submit their application directly to the international office of the Institute of Philosophy (and do not have to create a guest account or pay the admissions fee). The application is similar to the application for international applications as specified here below and must enclose the following documents:

• motivation letter,
• a copy of your diplomas and
• transcripts of academic records,
• a proof of English proficiency,
• a photocopy of your identity card, (for the MA and Research Master)
• a writing sample.
• Letters of recommendation are not required for Flemish applicants.
• Please check the application guidelines for international students for more information.

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