MA in Modern Gastronomy
Course Overview
The MA in Modern Gastronomy is a UK Level 7 research-informed programme running one year full-time or two years part-time in the culinary arts and gastronomy portfolio at LSCAHM. Content is aligned with Craft Guild of Chefs senior practice, Royal Academy of Culinary Arts gastronomy culture and World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) international standards.
By graduation you are producing a research-quality dissertation, capstone or sponsor project on a live gastronomy question, ready for senior R&D, restaurant or food-culture leadership.
Key Features
- One year full-time or two years part-time, on-campus, online or by distance learning.
- Modules aligned with Craft Guild of Chefs and Royal Academy of Culinary Arts practice.
- References to WACS international culinary standards.
- Live sponsor projects with London restaurants, R&D kitchens and food-culture bodies.
- Dissertation, capstone or sponsor consulting project as final submission.
- Named programme-tutor and small tutor-visible cohorts.
What You Will Learn
- Modern gastronomy movements and their UK practice.
- Advanced technique: fermentation, low temperature, foraging, ageing.
- Menu research, tasting-panel design and structured sensory language.
- Food history, culture and heritage as contemporary practice.
- Sustainability of gastronomy at operating scale.
- Guest storytelling and modern restaurant narrative design.
- Publication, media and food-culture communication.
- Research methods and dissertation practice at Master's level.
Who This Course Is For
- Sous and head chefs moving into gastronomy leadership.
- Chef-founders defining a modern culinary identity.
- Food writers and cultural practitioners formalising their expertise.
- Bachelor's graduates progressing to research-informed practice.
Career Pathways
- Head Chef (gastronomy)
- Executive Chef
- Culinary Development Chef
- R&D Chef
- Menu Development Consultant
- Culinary Educator
- Food Stylist
The LSCAHM careers service supports Master's applicants with mentoring, sponsor supervisors and introductions to London restaurants, R&D kitchens and food-culture platforms.
Entry Requirements
- A UK Bachelor's degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent international qualification in a relevant discipline.
- IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
- Applicants without a Bachelor's degree but with 5+ years of senior professional experience in culinary or gastronomy are considered on portfolio.
- One academic and one professional reference.
- A 500-word research proposal or professional practice statement on the gastronomy focus.
Why Study at LSCAHM
LSCAHM is a specialist division of Harold International College of London where modern gastronomy is treated as inseparable from craft, hospitality, food business and cultural practice.
Central London puts the Craft Guild of Chefs, Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and the food-media community within a short tube ride of the classroom.
Apply for MA in Modern Gastronomy
Applications for the MA in Modern Gastronomy open on a rolling calendar. Enrol on an LSCAHM Master's programme, dissertation, capstone or sponsor project supervised by practising chefs, hoteliers, event directors and industry executives. Enrol Now.
