Why this programme?

This programme will give you in-depth multidisciplinary insight into the food innovation process, with a focus on improving consumer health and preventing disease. It will provide you with a unique skillset that is specifically geared towards demands in the health food development industry. After you’ve completed the programme, you’ll know how to:

Translate science into new foods

In this master’s, you’ll not only learn to conduct nutrition and health-scientific research, you’ll also learn how to translate findings into smart marketing concepts based on valid health-benefit claims. By merging biomedical and consumer sciences data, you’ll be able to come up with new ideas that are both economically attractive and beneficial to the health of consumers.

Build bridges between disciplines

The programme is multidisciplinary, which means you’ll be able to identify relevant trends and developments on a broad range of subjects such as nutrition and health sciences, consumer sciences and food law. This will allow you to act as a facilitator between business and research departments, because you’ll be able to discuss trends in a manner that will improve cooperation between them.

Make a product a commercial success

Health Food and Innovation Management has a strong focus on business and marketing. This means you’ll learn to develop a business plan that covers all relevant domains, from nutrition and health concepts, and consumer- and market studies, to financial investments and return in investments. Other business and marketing topics discussed in this programme include improving efficiency, reducing failure, reducing costs and improving time to market.

At Maastricht University, we have close ties to the food industry and food research institutes. We carry out research projects with them and regularly invite our connections to give lectures. You’ll have guest lectures from specialists at various European institutes as well as industry players such as Unilever, Friesland Campina and DANONE. You’ll also get to visit food fairs, the European Commission and food research institutes such as NIZO Food Research, TNO and Dutch Bakery Centre NBC. This means you'll be up to date on the latest developments in this field. These resources may also be valuable to you when you are writing your thesis, or when you are trying to find a job after you graduate.

At Campus Venlo, you will study in a small-scale, international academic environment. Roughly 40% of students come from abroad, representing 18 nationalities. From day 1, you’ll be challenged with differing viewpoints and experiences as you interact with staff and students from all over Europe and the world. Your preconceptions and worldview will be enhanced by this interaction, bringing you closer to the programme’s goal of teaching students not only facts and concepts but also international accessibility and understanding. 

Internships offer an indispensible experience. You'll gain practical and professional experience and will rapidly develop from working on assignments in small groups to becoming an independent researcher. Internships not only enhance your studies by giving you practical experience, they also give you an edge when looking for a job. During the last semester you will work on your thesis research while doing an internship at a company or institution of your choice, either in the Netherlands or abroad. 

The Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences gives you the opportunity to study abroad in a work placement programme for at least half a year. Imagine wandering the streets of London or taking a weekend hike through the Swedish fjords, all while studying at one of the top universities in the world. The Healthcare Policy, Innovation and Management programme has partner institutions in Austria, South America, Australia, the UK and Sweden. Students return having had the experience of a lifetime: travelling the world, meeting new friends, learning about different cultures, and working to complete their studies.