The degree program

Food Technology (bachelor's degree, full-time, cooperative)

  • What is food technology?

    Food technology is an interdisciplinary science involving the entire process of food production. Food, just like the raw plant and animal materials it is made of, is a complex material with properties that change during production and also during storage. Food technology, therefore, includes the physical, chemical, microbiological, process engineering and business management aspects of food production from raw material to high-quality products. In this context, food technology provides knowledge on ingredient analysis, recipe development, selection of the best possible production process with the associated machines and automated equipment, and packaging. With this in mind, both the program content and the future job opportunities are very diverse and interesting.

  • What does the degree program entail?

    The 7-semester (210 credits) degree program in Food Technology includes science modules but also the necessary technical modules. The bachelor's degree program is practice-oriented and prepares students for diverse career prospects as food technologists in the technical sector. In addition, students receive scientific training. The program is divided into core and advanced modules.

    A special feature of the degree program in Food Technology at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences is the joint core curriculum in Department 7 in the first 2 to 3 semesters. This joint core curriculum includes foundations in engineering and science and offers an insight into all degree programs of the department. This experience allows students to make a well-founded decision between the 4 different degree programs in Biotechnology, Food Technology, Pharmaceutical Engineering or Process Engineering, and thus offers students maximum flexibility in specializing for their future career.

    Later in the bachelor’s degree program, program-specific modules are included such as: “Lebensmitteltechnologie pflanzlicher und tierischer Produkte”, “Lebensmittelverfahrens- und Prozesstechnik”, “Lebensmittelanalytik” and “Qualitätssicherung” as well as “Haltbarmachung und Verpackung von Lebensmitteln”. The wide range of elective modules allows you to expand your industry or task-specific skills according to your interests and personal goals.

    The practice-oriented education is supported by excursions and a high proportion of practical courses. In addition to baked goods, meat products and dairy products, there is of course no shortage of beer.

    Students complete the bachelor's degree program in Food Technology with a 12-week internship and a subsequent 10-week bachelor's thesis.

  • What are my career opportunities?

    Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the bachelor’s and especially the master's degree, food technologists are in great demand as highly qualified generalists in and beyond the food industry. During the program, students will learn to look at problems from different perspectives and successfully develop optimal solutions using approaches from science, engineering and technology.

    The food industry is more diverse than almost any other industry. Among other areas, graduates of Food Technology may find a career entry in the production area of small regional companies to internationally operating corporations, as well as in research and development, quality assurance, marketing and management. There are interesting job opportunities for food technologists not only in companies in the food industry but also in scientific institutes, public administration such as in monitoring/investigation offices, and in self-employment in consulting firms.

    Studying at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences offers an optimal and smooth career start. Through research projects and cooperations we have a high degree of networking with regional and international companies. Our graduates are in great demand in all areas of the food industry.

The right preparation

  • Recognition of coursework from a first degree

    Previous academic achievements from a first degree program and/or after a change of degree program or university or following studies abroad, and thus achievements which were completed at another university, may be credited on application post enrollment.

    The Examinations Committee of the Department is responsible for this in coordination with the respective degree program advisor / lecturers.

    Frequently Asked Questions. (Only available in German)

  • Important knowledge acquired at school

    A prospective student of Food Technology should have an interest in science and technology.

    In this light, subjects including biology, chemistry and physics, but also mathematics, are important foundations.

    Ideally, you will have taken an advanced course in chemistry or biology and/or have completed vocational training in the food industry.

  • Preparation classes

    Whether mathematics, chemistry or physics, our classes will prepare you for a successful start to your degree. Further details to follow.

    If you do not have a higher education entrance qualification, we also offer a preparation course which will give you the opportunity to study at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences after successfully passing an entrance test. Click on the link below to find all relevant information about the courses and how to register.<br/>Additional information

  • Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Orientat

    Still unsure if a STEM degree is right for you? We will support you during a one- or two-semester orientation program.

    The orientation program offers the perfect opportunity to get to know the university as well as different degree programs, to participate in examinations and receive credits, to get a taste of student life, and to prepare for a successful time at university.

    Additional information

  • Alternative entrance qualifications

    If you do not have a higher education entrance qualification but would still like to study with us, you will find all the relevant information via the link below.

    Additional information

  • Pre-study internships

    To be well prepared for the program, it is recommended that applicants, if possible, complete an internship of several weeks in a laboratory or production area, ideally in the food industry.

    If applicants have already completed vocational training in this field, an additional internship is not necessary.

    In any case, you should think about an internship at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences. The university offers many opportunities to get a taste of lectures as well as laboratory work. Please feel free to ask us about open internship positions.

    Additional information

  • University Information Day

    In June of each year, the Köthen Campus hosts University Information Day.<br/>Anyone interested in studying at Anhalt University is invited to get to know the University, our lecturers and students, as well as our degree programs. You can get a personal impression of our facilities and the campus and receive individual advice.

    The date of the next University Information Day in Köthen as well as at Dessau Campus and Bernburg Campus can be found here.

Important information about the cooperative program

  • Application

    The first step is to apply directly to a company (ideally one year before you start your program). If you have an internship contract, you can apply normally (like any other prospective student) to Anhalt University of Applied Sciences by September 15 of each year.

  • Program sequence

    The cooperative degree program includes an approximately 6-week long practical phase at the cooperating company during semester breaks from the 1st to the 6th semester. During these practical phases, students can write reports that can be recognized as elective modules and/or as project work under certain conditions. Students spend the entire 7th semester at the company for their internship and for the preparation of the thesis.

    During the semester, students of a cooperative degree program participate in lectures, practical courses and lab/pool classes. Students are given time off from work during the examination periods.

  • Cooperation partners and internship companies

    Unfortunately, not all companies notify us of their current status as cooperation partners. This also changes frequently because, depending on demand, a company may not offer a cooperation partnership each year and contact information may change.

    Please use the suggestions for practice partners in the list below:

    List of suggested companies (only available in German)

    Please ask the degree program advisor for possible internship companies or look for a company on your own according to the following requirements:

    • The company is part of the food industry.

    • The company is willing to provide a supervisor with a university degree for the intern.

    • The company assures that it will be in business for the duration of the program (at least 3,5 years).

    • The company has to accept the conditions of the cooperative degree program at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences (see explanation below).

  • Accommodation

    Most of our cooperation partners are located in the vicinity of Köthen (max. 1h drive). Students need to take care of their own accommodation; however, it is recommended that students have an apartment in Köthen during the program and commute during the practical phases. If the commute is too far, students should organize and pay for a second room/apartment. The company providing the internship may be able to provide organizational and financial support, but they are not obligated to do so.

  • Compensation

    Compensation varies greatly from company to company, as they are not legally required to pay the intern. However, most companies follow recommendations for vocational training wages and also pay during the teaching periods at the university (i.e. when students are not working at the company).

    Since information about student wages paid by individual companies, unfortunately, changes frequently, we recommend contacting the specific company to obtain reliable information.

    Given that affordable housing is relatively easy to find in Köthen, the compensation is sufficient in most cases to cover living costs.

  • Master’s cooperative degree program

    Provided that the company agrees, the master's degree program in Food Technology can also be studied as a cooperative degree program at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences.

Program sequence & program contents

  • 1st semester

    Mathematik I
    Lectures and practical courses

    Ingenieurinformatik
    Lectures and lab/pool classes

    Physik für Ingenieure
    Lectures, practical courses, and lab/pool classes

    Angewandte Chemie
    Lectures, practical courses, and lab/pool classes

    Mikrobiologie
    Lectures and lab/pool classes

    Ringvorlesung „Life Science Engineering“
    Lectures

  • 2nd semester

    Mathematik II
    Lectures and practical courses

    Physikalische Chemie
    Lectures, practical courses, and lab/pool classes

    Organische Chemie
    Lectures and practical courses

    Allgemeine Betriebswirtschaftslehre und Marketing
    Lectures and practical courses

    Technische Strömungsmechanik
    Lectures, practical courses, and lab/pool classes

    Wahlpflichtmodul
    Lectures, practical courses, and lab/pool classes

  • 3rd semester

    Apparatetechnik
    Lectures, practical courses, and lab/pool classes

    Automatisierungs- und Elektrotechnik
    Lectures and lab/pool classes

    Instrumentelle Analytik
    Lectures, practical courses, and lab/pool classes

    Lebensmittelchemie
    Lectures, practical courses, and lab/pool classes

    Technische Thermodynamik
    Lectures, practical courses, and lab/pool classes

    Lebensmittelphysik
    Lectures, practical courses, and lab/pool classes

  • 4th semester

    Lebensmittelanalytik
    Lectures, practical courses, and lab/pool classes

    Lebensmitteltechnologie pflanzlicher Produkte
    Lectures, practical courses, and lab/pool classes

    Lebensmitteltechnologie tierischer Produkte
    Lectures and lab/pool classes

    Mess- und Regelungstechnik
    Lectures, practical courses, and lab/pool classes

    Zellkulturtechnik
    Lectures and practical courses

    Informationssysteme und Projektarbeit
    The project can either be a research paper (theoretical) or a lab project (practical).

  • 5th semester

    Lebensmittelverpackungstechnik
    Lectures, practical courses, and lab/pool classes

    Lebensmittelverfahrenstechnik
    Lectures, practical courses, and lab/pool classes

    Prozesstechnik
    Lectures, practical courses, and lab/pool classes

    Qualitätsmanagement
    Lectures and practical courses

    Wahlpflichtmodul
    Lectures, practical courses, and lab/pool classes

  • 6th semester

    Lebensmittelkonservierungstechnik
    Lectures, practical courses, and lab/pool classes

    Lebensmittelrecht
    Lectures and practical courses

    Sicherheitstechnik
    Lectures and practical courses

    Lebensmittelsensorik
    Lectures and lab/pool classes

    Fremdsprache (Englisch oder für Bildungsausländer Deutsch)
    Practical courses

    Wahlpflichtmodul
    Lectures, practical courses, and lab/pool classes

  • 7th semester

    Berufspraktikum mit Kolloquium (=Verteidigung)
    12 weeks

    Bachelorarbeit mit Kolloquium (=Verteidigung)
    10 weeks

See the module description handbooks for more information about the compulsory and elective modules.