The globally important agri-food sector is intrinsically linked to challenges around land and water use, climate change, sustainability, health, and wellbeing. This industry-guided programme aims to equip students with the advanced skills, knowledge, and expertise needed to undertake technical and production management roles within this growing industry.
Students at Lincoln have the opportunity to study a variety of forward thinking topics such as principles of crop science, advanced food manufacturing, new product and process development, food safety and technical management, agri-robotics, as well as supply chain management.
Students on the MSc Agri-food Technology with Professional Practice programme will have the opportunity to undertake an industry collaborative research project.
Informed and guided by industry
Accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST)
Undertake an extended industry collaborative research project
Visit agri-food industries and hear from guest speakers
A holistic, all encompassing, farm-to-fork approach
Agriculture and Forestry at Lincoln is ranked in the top 250 overall*
*QS World University Rankings 2025 (out of 477 ranking institutions)
This MSc is intentionally wide-ranging and is designed to prepare students for opportunities across the broad and fast-moving agri-food sector. The programme takes a holistic, all encompassing, farm-to-fork approach, acknowledging the need to optimise performance and quality in the agriculture and food supply chain.
Following the taught element of the programme, students will conduct an industry collaborative research project.
This module introduces students to the rapidly evolving field of automation, robotics, and digital technologies and how they are shaping future farms and supply chains. Through an introduction to industrial robotics and automation, students will explore a range of innovative applications designed to automate and enhance pre and post‑harvesting operations across the agri‑food sector. The module also examines the growing importance of data‑driven agriculture where advanced technologies such as sensors, imaging systems, GPS, integrated data platforms, and precision‑farming tools enable stakeholders across the value chain to improve efficiency, sustainability, traceability, working conditions and food security. Using the principles of Industry 4.0 as a holistic framework students will investigate, analyse, and propose how robotics and digitisation can address key challenges while unlocking new opportunities for resilient and future‑ready agri‑food systems.
This module forms a significant element of the MSc Agri-food Technology (with Professional Practice) programme. It requires students to apply and contextualise their professional interests, research experience and skills development gained from attending taught modules in a live or near-live research project. Through the submission of a final dissertation and presentation of their research, students will demonstrate their ability to design and deliver a project that addresses an industry challenge as well as professional skills development. Students following the Professional Practice pathway are expected to submit a portfolio which requires them to reflect on their research in a professional context, on how their skills have developed through the course of their study and identify opportunities for further skills development to prepare students for a career in the Agri-food sector. Where students engage in a place-based practical activity, they are expected to pay for their own travel, accommodation, and general living expenses while undertaking the project. The option to undertake the Professional Practice route will be subject to students’ performance during the taught element of the programme and agreement from their tutor. Students will be expected to identify and secure their own project; however, support is available to students who may require it during this process. Through successfully completing the research project and portfolio, it is expected that students will have demonstrated a greater element of work readiness in preparation for their future career.
This module typically covers the key quality assurance and technical roles within the food industry with management skills coupled with knowledge of product safety, quality, and legality with a demonstration of attention to detail alongside good communication and interpersonal skills. Students are expected to consider how to define the 'technical standards' of a food manufacturing business, including a review of legislative requirements, necessary accreditation standards, customer expectations, and incorporation of a manufacturer’s own business requirements. Food industry enforcement bodies/government agencies and the business technical function interaction with such authorities will be considered, as will the role of product recall and crisis management systems during challenging circumstances.
This module provides an integrated introduction into food innovation, product and process development and the application of emerging technologies in creating safe, nutritious, and market ready food products. Students will explore how food manufacturers respond to consumer demands, regulatory pressures and broader market drivers. The module encourages the ability to critically appraise product development strategies linked to health, nutrition, sensory science, and evolving lifestyle trends. Alongside innovation, the module builds strong foundations in advanced food manufacturing, covering key unit operations including preservation methods, packaging systems, hygienic machine design, and food factory engineering. Students will gain insight into how traditional processes continue to underpin industry practice while also examining how automation, novel technologies, and new production methods are reshaping modern food manufacturing.
This module examine global agri-food supply chain systems. Today's businesses operate in a global environment that requires agri-food enterprises to consider rest of the world in their competitive strategy analysis, despite of their market base or location. Businesses cannot isolate themselves or disregard external factors such as food safety, trends, competitive positions, or technology advancements in other countries. This change in trends, technologies, food safety, trade, and modernisation of transport infrastructures raised the importance of supply chain management to new levels. Agile management of supply chains is necessary to succeed in volatile demand situations experienced in many markets.
The module typically provides a review of current crop science and its contribution to large scale food production. This might include new technologies and their part in the future of sustainable crop production. The module considers key components of crop science as individual units through to interacting complexes. Throughout the module, the importance of the microbial interrelationship with plants is considered, covering both pathogens and beneficials. Students will be expected to independently evaluate the topics critically and develop skills leading to responsive and flexible use of crop science in the production of crops in a wide range of agronomic situations.
This module covers the fundamental skills and background knowledge that students need to undertake a research project, including: surveying literature; selecting and justifying a research topic; planning of research; academic writing, data collection, handling and analysis; and presentation and reporting of research.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
This course is accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST). IFST is the UK鈥檚 leading professional body for food science and technology.
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A variety of assessment methods are used during this course, including essays, examinations, oral presentations, and practicals. These assessments are designed to develop the skills that will be needed for a career in the sector.
As well as studying at the University鈥檚 Brayford Campus, students will also visit our Riseholme campus, situated just 5km north of Lincoln on a beautiful parkland campus and The National Centre for Food Manufacturing, located in Holbeach Lincolnshire. Students may also have the chance to visit agri-food companies, helping them to understand the practical applications of their knowledge, and hear from a series of guest speakers on sustainability in the food industry and agri-robotics.
Situated just 5km north of Lincoln in a beautiful semi-rural setting, the University's Riseholme Park Campus is home to the Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology, offering short courses in agriculture and agronomy alongside postgraduate and research programmes. It has specialist agri-tech research facilities and a friendly academic and research community.
The campus spans more than 200 hectares, incorporating woodlands, parkland, watercourses, and grasslands. It features a working farm and a variety of heritage features, centred around the historic Grade II listed Riseholme Hall.
The University's National Centre for Food Manufacturing (NCFM) is based in Holbeach, in south Lincolnshire. This food manufacturing technology hub provides specialist facilities and industry-standard equipment, including analytical laboratories with a test kitchen and sensory testing suite, a technician training centre and processing facilities. It supports industry innovation, productivity and growth within the sector working closely with industry partners.
The 情色六月天 has launched the world's first Centre for Doctoral Training in Agri-Food Robotics in collaboration with the University of Cambridge and the University of East Anglia. This new advanced training centre in agri-food robotics is creating the largest ever cohort of Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) specialists for the global food and farming sectors, thanks to a multi-million pound funding award the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
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Awards
In November 2023, the University was one of just 22 institutions to be awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize. This award recognises the excellent work of the University's Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology in supporting the success and sustainability of the UK's food and farming industries.
Postgraduate Application Support
Applying for a postgraduate programme at Lincoln is easy. Find out more about the application process and what you'll need to complete on our How to Apply page. Here, you'll also be able to find out more about the entry requirements we accept and how to contact us for dedicated support during the process.
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All applicants meeting the initial academic requirements for this course are required to undertake an interview with academic staff before a decision concerning the offer of a place can be made. It is expected that applicants will be able to demonstrate a keen interest in agriculture and all aspects of the farm-to-fork process. In order to make this process available to all applicants, we utilise Skype as the preferred medium for those applicants who are not able to travel to Lincoln prior to the start of the programme.
First or second class honours degree or equivalent overseas qualification. We will consider applicants from non-related degrees, with relevant experience.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
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Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses.
These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
University Study is a major investment, so it鈥檚 important to understand the costs and support available. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found below. Eligible students may be able to access scholarships and bursaries to help with study costs.
Postgraduate Funding Options
Find out more about the optional available to support your postgraduate study, from Master's Loans to scholarship opportunities. You can also find out more about how to pay your fees and access support from our helpful advisors.
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This programme is designed to prepare students for a career in one of the world鈥檚 largest industries, agri-food. Agriculture companies, food manufacturers, producers, and retailers are large employers, as are government departments that develop food policy.
Graduates may pursue careers in technical roles, marketing, distribution, plant supervision, and product development. They may also choose to form their own company, with the help of the University鈥檚 award-winning business support centre, Sparkhouse. Some may choose to pursue research and PhD pathways (particularly in the field of agri-robotics).
To get a real feel for what it is like to study at the 情色六月天, we hold a number of dedicated postgraduate events and activities throughout the year for you to take part in.
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We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, and contact hours.