Food Chemistry

The interdisciplinary Master’s program in Food Chemistry takes a holistic approach with a view to guaranteeing the supply of healthy and safe food, both now and in the future. The program therefore covers the entire value-added chain in the food sector, from production through processing and packing to preparation.

The core focus of the program is on knowledge of the substances generated during the course of food processing and preparation, and the analysis of these substances on a molecular level. The program is devoted to addressing how the molecular structure of food can be influenced through targeted interventions in the relevant processes. This is an issue over which preventative consumer protection measures have a major influence. Further course content concerns food law, food, toxicology, and quality assurance. 

For a comprehensive description of the program, please refer to the degree program documentation:

• Degree program documentation for the Master’s program in Food Chemistry (PDF, German)

Upon completing the Master’s program in Food Chemistry, you will have at your disposal a deepened and detailed knowledge of thematic fields such as food, cosmetics, consumer goods, tobacco products, animal feed and associated raw materials, whether viewed from the perspective of chemical analysis or from technological and legal perspectives. On the molecular level, you can understand and evaluate the essential reactions that take place when processing and preparing food, based on the presence of characteristics such as smell, taste, color and texture. In addition, you are familiar with analytical procedures used to assess food quality for monitoring and research purposes, as well as in industry more generally.

Your knowledge allows you to develop and apply procedures that influence a food’s basic characteristics. You are therefore in a position to independently handle complex questions, formulate goals, and successfully communicate results to a given target group.

Obtaining consecutive Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Food Chemistry will mean that you fulfill the requirements of the German state Training Program and Examination Regulations (Ausbildungs- und Prüfungsordnung, or APOLmCh) relating to the second phase of the state examination.  

Upon concluding the Master’s program in Food Chemistry, opportunities arise in food safety, commercial laboratories and the nutrition industry. The pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries offer further possible fields of professional activity, as do private and state research institutions.

The Master’s program in Food Chemistry builds upon the knowledge and skills acquired during the course of a bachelor's program in Food Chemistry. As such, the program has a strong focus on interdisciplinary and research-oriented aspects.

In addition to earning advanced specialist qualifications, students broaden their competencies through elective modules in the areas of business administration, applied NMR spectroscopy, high-resolution analytical procedures, the development of starter cultures or food biotechnology. 

In detail:

• Overview Degree Program Structure (PDF 111 KB)
• Module Catalog: Description of Program Content

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient German language skills if you wish to apply for this program. Evidence of your language proficiency has to be submitted before the end of the application deadline. Learn more about recognized certificates and other ways to prove your German language skills.

This evidence of your language proficiency confirms that you comply with the minimum language requirements for admission to the program. Depending on the program and your individual background, it may be necessary for you to keep working on your language skills during your studies. Be sure to take a look at the services of our Language Center.   

Language of instruction:

The language of instruction for this program is German.

• Contact Examination Board
  • Prof. Dr. Michael Rychlik (chair)
  • Dr. Livia Urbanski (secretary)

• Information on exams
• Information on studying abroad
• Information on internships

The tuition fees for international students from third countries for this degree program are 4,000 euros per semester.

Many international students can have their fees waived or receive scholarships to finance them. You can find all information on waivers and scholarships here.

Please note: The semester fee as a contribution to the student union must be paid additionally. It varies depending on where you are studying. You can find all information on the semester fee here.

Minimum requirements to apply for a Master’s program at TUM are a recognized undergraduate degree (e.g. a Bachelor’s) and the successful completion of the aptitude assessment procedure. The aptitude assessment allows the TUM school to which you are applying to evaluate your individual talents and motivation for study.

To gain admission to the Master’s degree program in Food Chemistry, you have to meet the qualification requirements according to the Regulations for the Training of Certified Food Chemists (APOLmCH). Graduates of the Bachelor’s degree program in Food Chemistry usually fulfill these requirements –a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, pharmacy, etc. only qualifies if you have taken elective modules in food chemisty. 

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents.

If you receive an offer of admission, you will additionally have to submit individual documents as notarized hardcopies by post to be enrolled.

Generally, applicants with a qualification for postgraduate studies (e.g. a Bachelor’s) obtained outside of the EU / EEA must have their documents reviewed in advance through uni-assist.

In detail:

• Applying for a Master’s program: Application, admission requirements and more 
• Important information about your application from the TUM school

• Degree Certificate and Diploma or Subject and Grade Transcript of Studies to Date
• Transcript of Records
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Letter of Motivation
• Passport
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) if the qualification for graduate studies (e.g. a bachelor’s) was obtained outside the EU/EEA (from winter semester 2025/26: outside Germany)

We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your country of origin. Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents.

• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Degree Certificate and Diploma (certified copy)
• Transcript of Records (certified copy)
• Most Current Photo (as for ID)
• Digital notification of your health insurance status from a German public health insurance provider (requested by applicant)

We may require additional documents depending on the type of educational background you earned and your country of origin. After accepting an offer of admission in TUMonline, you will receive a list of documents you must submit to TUM in hardcopy for enrollment.

Application period for the winter semester: 01.04. – 31.05.

Information about applying for a higher subject semester

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents. Please be aware that we can only process your application if you upload all required documents within the application period.

We will review your application as soon as it is complete. Please check your TUMonline account regularly, to see if we have any queries to your documents or if you have to amend one or more documents.

After receiving admission, you will see in TUMonline which documents you have to submit for enrollment, and in which form. Please note that you always have to send the signed application for enrollment and all notarized hardcopies by post.

We recommend that you submit the documents for enrollment as soon as possible after receiving admission. If individual documents are not available by then, you can submit them up to 5 weeks after the start of the lecture period. You will, however, only be enrolled once we have received all documents.

You can check the status of your application at any time in your TUMonline account.

Selection takes place through an aptitude assessment procedure. The aptitude assessment is a two-part procedure after the submission of an official application to a program. In this procedure, the TUM school determines whether you meet the specific requirements for its Master’s degree program.

In the initial stages, the grades you obtained during your bachelor's program, as well as your written documents, will be evaluated using a point system. Depending on the amount of points accumulated, applicants are either immediately admitted, rejected, or invited to an admissions interview. 

• Aptitude Assessment for Master
• Information on the Aptitude Assessment (German) (PDF 291 KB)