To access the second-level specializing Master’s program, candidates must hold an MSc academic degree (second cycle (master) degree, a postgraduate degree or 5-year/6-year postgraduate degree, laurea specialistica/magistrale), in accordance with the new Italian university system (pursuant to Ministerial Decree 509/99 or Ministerial Decree 270/04), in one of the following areas:

• Medicine and Surgery 
• Veterinary Medicine 
• Agricultural Science and Technology
• Food Science and Technology
• Livestock and Agricultural Science and Technology
• Chemical Science
• Biology
• Agricultural Biology
• Industrial Biotechnologies
• Medical, Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies
• Pharmacy and Industrial Pharmacy
• Human Nutrition
• Science and Technology of Industrial Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering

The teaching degree allowing access to a Master according to the new system includes the following classes:

• LM-41 Medicina e Chirurgia
• LM-42 Medicina Veterinaria
• LM-69 Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie 
• LM-70 Scienze e Tecnologie Alimentari 
• LM-86 Scienze Zootecniche e Tecnologie Animali
• LM-54 Scienze Chimiche
• LM-6 Biologia
• LM-7 Biologie Agrarie
• LM-8 Biotecnologie Industriali
• LM-9 Biotecnologie Mediche, Veterinarie e Farmaceutiche
• LM-13 Farmacia e Farmacia Industriale 
• LM-61 Scienza della Nutrizione Umana
• LM-71 Scienze e Tecnologie della Chimica Industriale
• LM-22 Ingegneria Chimica

A license to practice is not required.

The admission process for the specializing Master's program involves 12 available spots for regular students. 

Italian and foreign citizens (nationals of EU and non-EU countries) who have an academic qualification awarded in Italy. 

Applicants with Italian degrees must submit various documents including: 

1. Copy of a valid ID card/passport, legible and duly signed, 
2. Copy of the Italian fiscal code (codice fiscale), 
3. Updated European Curriculum vitae, including details of all academic qualifications, 
4. Self-certification of the university degree, including marks and ECTS assigned to each exam, 
5. Motivation letter (maximum one page) 
6. Any other title that the candidate intends to present (certificates, publications, letter of recommendation, etc.). 
    

Applications may also be submitted by candidates, of all nationalities, about to graduate in Italy (application under condition). In this case, the admission to the program is conditional on the Candidate submitting, by July 31, 2026, a valid certification of the obtained degree. If this does not happen, the candidate’s matriculation will automatically be nullified. Applicants applying under condition to attain their Italian Master’s Degree must upload a self-certification including transcripts of records with grades, weighted average and credits related to their Master’s Degree and their Bachelor’s Degree.

The specializing Master's program admits 12 students. Candidates must complete mandatory online pre-enrolment through the Università Cattolica portal. Applications will be evaluated based on specified criteria, leading to a merit ranking. Candidates who pass the first selection step will be invited to a remote English interview to assess their potential for the program and alignment of professional expectations with the course's goals and content. 

Following the interview, applicants will be ranked based on their performance. To be admitted to the Master’s program, candidates must achieve a minimum score of 70/100. Preference will be given to candidates with the highest degree scores in the event of equal interview results. Possession of ECTS credits may enhance a candidate's ranking but will not automatically result in credit recognition.

Should any admitted candidate formally decline the offer of admission, the ranking list will be scrolled accordingly, and the next eligible candidate(s) will be admitted in order of merit.

Selection details will be published on the Master’s website, and eligible candidates will be notified via email. All admission-related communications will be posted on the Master’s and University websites. Admitted candidates will be listed in a final ranking published on both websites, which will serve as official notification without further personal correspondence.

WAVES INTERVIEW

The admission process is structured in two interview rounds (“waves”) to ensure a transparent and progressive evaluation of candidates.

A total of 12 positions are available.

Wave 1 (Early Selection)

Candidates who submit their application by 30 April 2026 will be invited to interviews held on 5–6 May 2026. At the end of Wave 1, each candidate will receive an individual notification of the outcome.

Following Wave 1, candidates will be classified as:

• Admitted (max. 8 candidates)
  Positions in Wave 1 will be assigned only to candidates scoring above 80.
  If more than 8 candidates score above 80, only the top 8 candidates in descending order of score will be admitted.
  Any additional candidates scoring above 80 will be placed on the waiting list and will retain their score for the final ranking.
  Admission is final and confirmed.
• Waiting List
  Candidates scoring between 70 and 80 will be automatically placed on the waiting list.
  They remain eligible and keep their score for the final ranking without a second interview.
• Not eligible
  Candidates below the minimum threshold will not proceed further.

Wave 2 (Final Selection)

Candidates who submit their application between 1 May 2026 and 24 June 2026 will be interviewed on 30 June and 1 July 2026.

At the end of Wave 2, the final overall results will be defined, and each candidate will receive an individual notification of the outcome.

The candidates admitted in Wave 1 keep their positions.

• Waiting list candidates from Wave 1 will be ranked together with Wave 2 candidates using their original score.
• The remainingpositions will be assigned strictly according to the final results.

Additional Wave (if required)

The program may introduce an additional round of interviews if the number of candidates exceeds the program’s capacity to review applications. Any such change will be formally communicated to all applicants. 

The pre-enrolment fee for the Master’s program is€1,000 and must be paid by the candidate upon official acceptance into the program. The fee is non-refundable.

For each admitted participant, the €5,000 tuition fee for the Master's program is covered by an individual scholarship awarded by the “Piera, Pietro, and Giovanni Ferrero Foundation”. Therefore, this fee does not need to be directly paid by the candidate.

In addition, participants who successfully complete at least 85% of the program will be eligible for an additional scholarship awarded by the “Piera, Pietro and Giovanni Ferrero Foundation”. The amount of the scholarship will depend on the annual budget allocated by the “Piera, Pietro, and Giovanni Ferrero Foundation”.

To access the second-level specializing Master’s program, candidates must hold an MSc academic degree in the following areas:

• Medicine and Surgery 
• Veterinary Medicine 
• Agricultural Science and Technology
• Food Science and Technology
• Livestock and Agricultural Science and Technology
• Chemical Science
• Biology
• Agricultural Biology
• Industrial Biotechnologies
• Medical, Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies
• Pharmacy and Industrial Pharmacy
• Human Nutrition
• Science and Technology of Industrial Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering

A license to practice is not required.

Candidates with international qualification

If you are currently attending a non-Italian University and/or have obtained a non-Italian degree or qualification, please visit this webpage, where you can find dedicated information on how to apply:

https://international.unicatt.it/ucscinternational-1-year-specialising-masters-innovation-in-food-science-and-food-technology-michele-ferrero

Candidates with international qualification

If you are currently attending a non-Italian University and/or have obtained a non-Italian degree or qualification, please visit this webpage, where you can find dedicated information on how to apply:

https://international.unicatt.it/ucscinternational-1-year-specialising-masters-innovation-in-food-science-and-food-technology-michele-ferrero
 

Candidates with international qualification

If you are currently attending a non-Italian University and/or have obtained a non-Italian degree or qualification, please visit this webpage, where you can find dedicated information on how to apply:

https://international.unicatt.it/ucscinternational-1-year-specialising-masters-innovation-in-food-science-and-food-technology-michele-ferrero