Master in Food Safety and Food Risk Management at University of Parma
Two-year English-taught LM-70 joint master's led by the University of Parma with Bologna, Cattolica (Piacenza), Modena and Reggio Emilia and Ferrara: first year in Parma, second-year curriculum at a partner university.
Master
2 years
Parma
English
University of Parma
Food Safety and Food Risk Management is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's (LM-70) taught in English, run by the University of Parma with four other Emilia-Romagna universities. Year one is in Parma and year two at a partner. Fees depend on family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree giving adequate basic knowledge of food technology, food microbiology, food chemistry, primary production and human nutrition.
- English at B2: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 69, Cambridge FCE or CAE, or another recognised certificate; native speakers and holders of an English-medium degree letter are exempt.
- No entrance test: an admission commission checks the curricular requirements and personal preparation of applicants with foreign qualifications.
- Passport, transcript, degree certificate, CV and English certificate uploaded on apply.unipr.it.
- Original documents, translated into Italian or English where needed, and a declaration of value or CIMEA statement at enrolment.
About the programme
Food Safety and Food Risk Management is a two-year laurea magistrale in class LM-70 (food science and technology) worth 120 ECTS and taught fully in English. It is a regional joint degree of five universities: Parma, which is the administrative seat, Bologna, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Piacenza campus), Modena and Reggio Emilia, and Ferrara. At Parma it belongs to the Department of Food and Drug.
The course trains experts in assessing and managing food risks across the supply chain, with a solid grasp of European food law. Parma sits in Italy's food valley and hosts the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The degree suits graduates in food science, food technology and related fields.
What you will study
All first-year teaching takes place in Parma. Core units include:
- Risk assessment of chemical compounds (9 ECTS)
- Food technology and food microbiology (12 ECTS)
- Food allergens: molecular approaches and regulatory aspects (9 ECTS)
- Biological hazards in food (6 ECTS) and exposure assessment and risk/benefit evaluation (6 ECTS)
- Hazard identification in primary production, covering plant health and animal welfare (12 ECTS)
- Food law and ethics, including food law and international policies (9 ECTS)
At the start of the second year you choose one of four curricula, each offered at a partner:
- Risk Mitigation at Università Cattolica (Piacenza), with Parma
- Agri-Food Safety at Modena and Reggio Emilia
- Risk Management at Bologna
- Food Safety and Product Design at Ferrara
How the programme is taught
The second year includes a 20-credit internship, which can be done at an outside organisation, in a university lab or through international mobility, and a 4-credit final dissertation. Thesis work is supervised jointly by the universities and food companies, government bodies or EU institutions. Graduates receive a joint degree from all five universities. Attendance is not compulsory.
Career paths
Graduates take on responsibility for safety in food companies, from primary production and sourcing of raw materials to process control, new product development, marketing and distribution in Europe and beyond. They can also design and monitor risk management strategies and food safety plans. Other routes include:
- Control bodies and national and international food safety organisations, including EFSA
- Research and development in companies, universities and research institutes
- Training and scientific communication
- The Italian register of Food Technologists, after the state exam
Fees and scholarships
Because Parma is the administrative seat, you enrol there and pay its fees. For 2026/27 that meant €156 at enrolment, then a personalised contribution from zero to about €2,000 a year linked to family finances, merit and years enrolled. International students with foreign income apply for the reduction and for regional scholarships through ER.GO. The course can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
Parma's admission commission reviews each foreign applicant's background in food science and English level; if you lack B2, the university suggests a single English course it offers. Applications go through apply.unipr.it with a €30 one-time fee, which lets you apply to up to three courses per call.
For 2026/27 the non-EU window was 15 January to 6 April 2026. After acceptance you pre-enrol, register on Universitaly, apply for a type D visa and complete enrolment in Parma with your original documents and a declaration of value or CIMEA statement.
How ApplyAZ helps
If this programme fits your goals, ApplyAZ can include it in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities. We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose, submit your applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your DSU scholarship application and prepare your visa file, with a named person on each stage. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.
Questions and answers
Is Food Safety and Food Risk Management taught in English?
Yes. The whole degree is taught in English, and you need B2 English, for example IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 69, or Cambridge FCE or CAE. Native speakers and graduates of English-medium degrees are exempt.
Where will I study?
The first year is taught entirely in Parma. In the second year you follow one curriculum at a partner: Università Cattolica in Piacenza, Modena and Reggio Emilia, Bologna or Ferrara.
Which bachelor's background do I need?
You need adequate basic knowledge of food technology, food microbiology, food chemistry, primary production and human nutrition. An admission commission checks the curricular requirements of applicants with foreign degrees.
Is there an entrance test?
No. Selection is based on your degree, transcript and documents, reviewed by the admission commission.
When can I apply for 2027/28?
The 2027/28 call is not out yet. For 2026/27, non-EU applicants applied on apply.unipr.it between 15 January and 6 April 2026, with a €30 one-time fee.
How much does it cost?
You enrol at Parma. For 2026/27 that meant €156 at enrolment plus a contribution from zero to about €2,000 a year based on family finances. Eligible students can apply for an ER.GO scholarship.
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