Explore UCD

UCD Home >

MEngSc in Food Engineering

MEngSc (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

Contact Us

The MEngSc in Food Engineering provides a comprehensive coverage of bioprocess and food manufacturing systems engineering.  The programme will be of particular interest to graduates in Engineering, Science and related disciplines who are interested in food and bioprocess engineering, risk assessment, process development, process control, advanced manufacturing systems and associated environmental issues. On this programme you will develop new technical competencies in food and bioprocess engineering, learn how to develop and execute a research plan, and acquire skills in the application of leading-edge technologies to the agri-food and biotechnology industries, including novel food processing technology, food process automation, risk assessment, computer vision for food quality and food safety. Excellent job prospects are available to graduates in the food, bioprocess, manufacturing and related agencies and industries.

This programme is delivered by a highly research-intensive School comprising a European Research Council Fellow and six Marie Curie Fellowships. Professors Sun, Bourke and O’Donnell are in the world’s top one per cent of the most cited scientists in their field. Opportunities for site visits and industry internships are provided where possible. The UCD School of Biosystems & Food Engineering consistently wins up to €3 million in annual research funding.

Module Information:

Under the "What modules can I take?" section below you will see general module information, for a more detailed description including module selection rules click here.

About This Course

  • Develop the ability to direct personal learning and to engage in lifelong learning
  • Knowledge and understanding of the scientific principles underpinning technology for safe and sustainable food production and processing
  • Knowledge and understanding of traditional and novel food processing technology and automation
  • Knowledge and understanding of waste and energy implications for food manufacturing systems
  • Skills to carry out an evaluation of the risks for the production of safe food
  • Skills to devise scientific research hypothesis, carry out course of research investigation, apply appropriate measurement techniques, statistical analysis and interpret findings
  • Skills to understand and assess the full range of health & safety issues associated with work
  • The ability to communicate effectively to professional and non-scientific community
  • Understand the need for high ethical standards and professionalism

The manufacture of food and drink products is Ireland’s most important indigenous industry with a turnover of €27.5 billion. Almost 50,000 people are directly employed in the food and drink sector with a further 60,000 employed indirectly in all regions of the country. The value of food and drink exports is €12 billion per annum. Excellent job prospects are available to graduates in the food, bioprocess, 
manufacturing and related agencies and industries in Ireland. Graduates have progressed to career opportunities in a broad range of internationally recognised companies including: ALcontrol Laboratories, APV, Coca Cola, Dairygold, Glanbia, Guinness, Kepac, and Kerry Group.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN30010 Bioprocess Engineering Principles Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN30360 Life Cycle Assessment Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN40320 Waste to Energy Processes & Technologies Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN40410 Food Chain Integrity Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN40590 Unit Ops for Bioprocess Eng Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN30060 Quantitative Risk Assessment for Human and Animal Health Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN40020 Advanced Food Process Engineering Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN40250 Global Cold Chain Safety Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN40440 Food Refrigeration Engineering Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN40460 Research, Teaching & Career Skills Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BSEN40090 Thesis Year-long (12 months)  30

Graduate Profile - Shreyansh Raj Morris, Dairygold

I’m from Dehradun in India and after completing my bachelor’s degree in Food Process Engineering I was looking for a course to further my knowledge in the same field and I found UCD. The School of Biosystems and Food Engineering has a very dynamic teaching environment, highly cited academics and great facilities. My professors not only guided me through the course content but also helped to steer me in the right direction career wise.

Doing this masters has been really helpful and provided me with the essential skills needed to work professionally in the food industry. The course is well structured and there are modules like food processing and risk assessment which helped me to build my technical skills and modules which help you to build your soft skills which are helpful when looking for employment especially as an international student. The UCD Careers Network also organises a number of career fairs, where you have the chance to meet industry professionals. This is how I managed to secure a place on Dairygold’s graduate programme, which I am looking forward to starting soon.

MEngSc in Food Engineering (X082) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 9530
nonEU    fee per year - € 29100

***Fees are subject to change

Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see www.ucd.ie/global/scholarships/

The College of Engineering & Architecture also offer scholarships for non-EU students, for more information see: www.ucd.ie/eacollege/study/noneuscholarships.

  • An honours undergraduate degree (NFQ level 8) with a minimum upper second class honours or international equivalence in a relevant Engineering, Science or cognitive technology degree programme.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
  • Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the  English language requirements, may enter the programme upon  successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/ 
  • These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes 
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes


General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MEngSc in Food Engineering:

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
X082
MEngSc in Food Engineering
Master of Engineering Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
* you can change options at the top of the page