MA in Food Product Development
Course Overview
The MA in Food Product Development is a UK Level 7 research-informed senior-practice degree taken over one year full-time or two years part-time (online and distance routes available). Delivered by LSCAHM's Culinary Arts & Gastronomy department, the programme is aligned with the Craft Guild of Chefs, Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, British Culinary Federation and Institute of Hospitality, and closes with a dissertation, capstone or sponsor consulting project set with a food brand, restaurant group or ingredient supplier.
By graduation, a candidate is authoring product concepts, running R&D kitchen work, coordinating shelf-life and sensory testing, holding conversations with brand and buyer teams, and taking a new food product from brief through to commercial launch.
Key Features
- Level 7 research-informed curriculum aligned with Craft Guild of Chefs and British Culinary Federation frameworks.
- Dissertation, capstone or sponsor consulting project supervised by practising R&D chefs.
- Modules on concept development, sensory testing and shelf-life management.
- Live briefs drawn from London food brands and restaurant groups.
- Access to LSCAHM's product development kitchens.
- Three parallel modes so senior practitioners can complete in role.
What You Will Learn
- Concept development pipelines from insight to prototype.
- R&D kitchen practice, including scale-up and repeatability.
- Sensory testing, panel design and analytical methodology.
- Shelf-life management, packaging strategy and food-safety compliance.
- Nutrition, allergen and health-claim frameworks under UK regulation.
- Commercialisation including pricing, distribution and buyer briefs.
- Sustainability, provenance and ESG in product development.
- Research methods for MA dissertations and sponsor projects.
Who This Course Is For
- Senior chefs moving into R&D and product development roles.
- Food brand managers strengthening their product-development leadership.
- Entrepreneurs launching food brands or ready-meal ranges.
- Consultants supporting food brands and hospitality groups.
- International practitioners seeking a UK MA in food product development.
Career Pathways
- R&D Chef (senior).
- Culinary Development Chef.
- Food Business Analyst (product-focused).
- Menu Development Consultant.
- Food Stylist for product launches.
- Head of Product Development (junior track).
- Culinary Entrepreneur.
The LSCAHM careers service runs an annual industry-careers day and works with food brands, restaurant groups and ingredient suppliers recruiting MA graduates for R&D and product-development roles.
Entry Requirements
- A UK Bachelor's degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent international qualification in a relevant discipline such as culinary arts, food science or hospitality.
- IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
- Applicants without a Bachelor's but with 5+ years of senior professional experience in R&D, culinary or product development are considered on portfolio.
- One academic and one professional reference.
- A 500-word research proposal or professional practice statement for the MA in Food Product Development.
Why Study at LSCAHM
The London School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management is a specialist division of Harold International College of London teaching in small, tutor-visible cohorts. LSCAHM reads food product development alongside hospitality service, event delivery and food business practice, giving MA candidates the commercial context that most R&D programmes miss.
Central London places Michelin-starred kitchens, food brands, the Craft Guild of Chefs and the British Culinary Federation within a short tube ride of every classroom, giving MA candidates direct access to research subjects and sponsor projects across the capital.
Apply for MA in Food Product Development
Enrol on an LSCAHM Master's programme. Dissertation, capstone or sponsor project supervised by practising chefs on the MA in Food Product Development. Submit your Bachelor's transcript, references and 500-word proposal to the LSCAHM admissions team. Enrol Now.
