Ghent University, Belgium
Master of Science in Nutrition and Rural Development
Programme goals
Healthy and sustainable diets are a global challenge. While large and generally poor populations face hunger and under-nutrition, overweight and diet related chronic diseases have taken on pandemic proportions mostly in developed and transforming economies. In addition, changes in nutrition and diets have a significant incontestable impact and on natural resources and climate change which cannot be underestimated.
The 2-year program with majors "Public Health Nutrition" and "Nutrition Security and Management" trains specialists that can develop programs to improve nutrition of populations. Using better nutrition and food security as a starting point, students will contribute to sustainable development at household, national and international level. The program gives specific attention to the international dimension of nutrient and food security and challenges faced by low-and middle-income countries.
Course structure
This master of nutrition and Rural Development offers two majors: Public Health Nutrition or Nutrition Security and Management. While the first deals with the public health aspects of nutrition, the second deals with the developmental and economic aspects.
The first semester of the first year gives in-depth knowledge in general courses related to nutrition and rural development. This approach aims to establish a common ground between all students of different backgrounds. The standard courses in the second semester allow some specificity. To tailor the course programme to the individual needs and interests, students can already take one elective course during the first master year.
The second year of this programme provides a more in-depth understanding of the specific problems and their solutions for the major they chose. The second year therefore consists of specific courses, a limited list of standard courses per major chosen, another elective course and master’s dissertation research.
For the elective courses (including possibilities for an internship) the students may choose other courses offered in programmes at master’s level, at UGent or at an institute cooperating with UGent as long as they enable the student to compile a tailor-made study curriculum enhancing their individual needs or interests.
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
Degree
Applicants must have at least a Bachelor's degree of min. 3 years from a university or recognized equivalent. Good overall scores (at least a second class or equivalent, preferably higher) are recommended.
Competencies
Applicants must be able to demonstrate through their transcripts that they received basic science training in the following fields: (i) Mathematics, and/or basic statistics; (ii) Physics; (iii) Chemistry; (iv) Biochemistry; (v) Physiology; (vi) Computer Sciences.. Some lab experiences is recommended too.
Language requirements
The applicant must be proficient in the language of the course or training programme, i.e. English. The English language proficiency can be met by providing a certificate (validity of 5 years) of one of the following tests (TOEFL/IELTS predictive tests and TOEIC will not be accepted):
- TOEFL IBT 80
- TOEFL PBT 550
- ACADEMIC IELTS 6,5 overall score with a min. of 6 for writing
- CEFR B2 Issued by a European university language centre
- ESOL CAMBRIDGE English CAE (Advanced)
- Interuniversity test of academic English (ITACE)
Language of instruction is not accepted anymore, except:
- a. applicants who have a diploma (Secondary Education, Academic Bachelor Degree, Master Degree) issued by an institution officially recognized by the Flemish Government.
- b. applicants who are nationals from or have obtained a bachelor and/or master degree in a higher education institute with English as mode of instruction in USA, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland or Canada, and in the latter case a certificate that the mode of instruction was English has to be submitted.
About the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University
The faculty of Bioscience Engineering is one of the 11 faculties of Ghent University.
The faculty is strongly dedicated to
international education, welcoming an average of 350 international master's students from 100 different nationalities each academic year, on a total amount of almost 3000 students. The focal research topic of the faculty is
the living matter in all its diversity.
The research domains are clustered around Natural Capital, Sustainable Primary Production, Food and Health, Green Chemistry, Bio-Economy, Clean Environmental Technology, Biotechnology and Data-Analysis. Our research excellence is the basis of top-quality education and
high international rankings.
The faculty of Bioscience Engineering of UGent is top 15-ranked for Agricultural Sciences (QS Ranking, NTU Ranking, Shangai Ranking) and positioned 54 for Life Sciences according to the Times Higher Education Ranking.
Alumni of our international master programmes get a broad range of career options as entrepreneurs, policy makers and research experts.
The faculty is located in the
city of Ghent: a charming, medieval, multi-cultural city with 300.000 inhabitants and home to 77.000 students. 49,000 of those are students of Ghent University, of which our faculty is part.
The city centre of Ghent is a low emission zone with car-free parts and Ghent is a worldwide forerunner in the promotion of sustainable food.
Other courses offered by Ghent University
Master of Science in Environmental Science and Technology
Master of Science in Sustainable Land Management
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