Master in Food
Communication
and Marketing
Understand, narrate, and promote food
FORMAT
Mandatory attendance (except for part-time students)
LANGUAGE
English
DURATION
1 year
CREDITS
60 ECTS
START
March 10, 2026
SCHOLARSHIPS
Available
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF ADMITTED PARTICIPANTS
30
The Master in Food Communication & Marketing trains professionals capable of critically interpreting and communicating the value of food in an increasingly complex sector, where marketing, food culture, and sustainability intersect.
Combining in-depth training in marketing and corporate communication with a solid grounding in food quality and digital communication, this master offers a concrete, critical, and market-oriented education. Skills in consumer behaviour analysis, branding, and content creation are interwoven with a thorough understanding of the cultural, historical, and regulatory dynamics of the food system.
Study trips and seminars with industry professionals turn learning into direct practice, bringing students into contact with companies, producers, and key players in the food industry as well as communication and media specialists. Our goal is to train a new generation of communicators capable of strengthening their organisations while also enriching food consumer culture. This new generation will work across various areas of the food world, including strategic communication and marketing, content creation, and commercial development.
Core courses in food culture & gastronomy
Industry seminars with food professionals
3 study trips
Tasting sessions & hands-on workshops
WHY UNISG?
- A programme that integrates marketing, digital communication, and food culture into a unified path, drawing on years of research and collaboration with the Italian and international agri-food sector.
- An educational approach that combines analytical rigour, critical thinking, business case studies, and direct contact with industry professionals, alongside outstanding visiting faculty from leading international universities.
- Seminars with international professionals bringing up-to-date perspectives on the latest trends in the food industry.
- The unique setting of the Pollenzo campus, where academic training is rooted in a culture of quality food as an experience lived daily by students, faculty, and guests of the university.
Study Plan
The Master's in Food Communication & Marketing curriculum progressively builds a profile capable of operating with competence within the communication and commercial dynamics of the food sector. The program integrates cultural depth and strategic application, alternating courses in food history and anthropology, sociology of consumption and food law.
Students acquire the tools to analyze the market, build effective communication strategies and promote responsible growth in the global food system.
Courses may be subject to change.
Quality Law: GIs, Intellectual Property, Novel Food Issues
Sensory Sciences and Quality Tasting
History of Food Quality
Essential Concepts in Sustainable Food Systems
Principles of Food Marketing
Quantitative Methods for Marketing
Trade Marketing in the Food Industry
Designing Sustainability for Food Social Marketing
Consumer Psychology for Food Sustainability
Brand Marketing for Sustainable Food
Food and Wine Strategic Communications
Cultural Industries, Communications and Eco-food Media
Food and Wine Communication
Branded Entertainment for Food
Media, Politics and Food Activism
Marketing and Communications Strategy and Planning
Food Entrepreneurship & Society
Digital Communication for Food and Wine
Visual Communication for Food
Food Writing for Business
Quality Food: Cured Meat and Chocolate
Cheese: Production, Tasting and Communication
Coffee Tasting and Communication
Cook_Ink Magazine: Food Culture and the Evolution of Contemporary Indie Publishing
Quality Wine Tasting and Communication
The Art and Culture of Honey
The Meaning of Beer
Communication Against Trivialization and Commodification of Balsamics and Vinegars
Aesthetics and Scent Marketing
Career Opportunities
15:01
The Master in Food Communication & Marketing trains professionals capable of tackling the communicative and commercial challenges of the food sector through an approach that combines food culture, marketing strategy, and mastery of digital media. The combination of analytical and creative skills, strengthened by direct contact with companies and industry professionals, prepares graduates to operate effectively in a constantly evolving food market. Upon graduation, students find opportunities in the food and communication sector as Marketing & Communication Manager, Social Media Manager, Content Creator, and Sales Manager.
Action Learning
Action learning activities are an integral part of the programme, offering direct contact with the reality of the agri-food sector. By going beyond the classroom, students meet professionals, observe food systems in real contexts and apply the knowledge they have acquired. These experiences strengthen critical thinking, collaborative skills and the preparation needed to competently address the challenges of the global food system.
Faculty
The Master's in Food Communication & Marketing faculty brings together academics and professionals with expertise ranging from digital marketing and branding to the sociology of consumption, from gastronomic journalism to strategic communication, from sensory sciences to food law.
Coordinator: Luca Antoniazzi
Requisiti e Modalità di Ammissione
For all information about admission requirements, language requirements, how to register for the competition, the competition tests, important dates, admission criteria, and registration procedures, download the document Admission Requirements and Procedures.
Follow the steps below to submit your application through UNISG's ESSE3 portal, the student records system used by Italian universities.
- Click the Apply Now button at the top right of this page.
- Click Web Registration and follow the on-screen instructions to create your account.
- Open ESSE3 di UNISG portal in your browser.
- Select Login from the top right menu.
- Enter your username and password to access your account.
- From the top right menu, click Registrar Office.
- Click Admission Process.
- Select your desired program from the list.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your application.
CALENDAR
Opening pre-enrollment
24 March, 2025
First Admission:
July 14, 2025
Second Admission:
November 17, 2025
Start Date:
March 10, 2026
Visit UNISG
We offer a range of in-person and online events designed for prospective students who are considering joining the UNISG community. Whether you prefer to visit our campus or connect with us virtually, these are the perfect opportunities to explore our academic programs, meet our faculty and staff, and get a real feel for life at UNISG.
Find out more about our Orientation Days, Open Days and individual campus visits.
Tuition Fees and Scholarships
The university fees for the Master program amount to 16,500.00 Euros and are payable in three installments as follows:
| Payment | University Fees | Deadlines |
| Deposit | €2000 | 8 days of admission notification |
| 1st installment | €8500 | March 4, 2026 |
| 2nd installment | €6000 | August 31, 2026 |
The university fees include the following:
- all academic activities, including conferences, tastings, and seminars
- study material (in digital format)
- all study trip expenses as programmed, including travel, food and lodging
- participation in all UNISG and Slow Food events as included in the Master program
- private insurance policy covering urgent healthcare for non-European students
- access to Career Office services (food sector job placement)
- enrollment certificates, receipts of payment, official transcripts.
All UNISG students who are currently completing or have already obtained a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s degree, or a First-level Master’s degree at our University are eligible for a €2,800 tuition fee reduction. The reduction will be applied upon payment of the second installment.
All students who attended UNISG Summer Schools are eligible for a reduction of 500 euro from the university fee.
UNISG offers 1 total scholarship in the amount of € 16,500, including Student Housing and Academic Tables and 1 total fee-exemption, for citizens from low-income countries or lower-middle-income or upper-middle-income countries.
NEW Scholarship announcement, a.y. 2025-2026 (total fee-exemption worth € 16,500)
Scholarship announcement, a.y. 2025-2026 (total fee-exemption worth € 16,500, including Student Housing and Academic Tables)
Attachments
- List of documents requested for citizens from low-income countries or lower-middle-income or upper-middle-income countries
- List of documents requested for citizens from a particularly poor country (specified by the Ministerial Decree N. 440 of February 13, 2024)
- Merit requirements for the scholarship renewal
- Scholarship application form
Important deadlines
Application deadline: November 17, 2025
Final ranking of students awarded scholarship to be published on: November 24, 2025
- Recipients: Italian Students residing in Italy (fee-exemptions assignees or not).
- Partner Bank: Intesa Sanpaolo (official website).
- Guide to “Merit Loan- Prestito per Merito” (downloadable here)
Students with United States citizenship are eligible to apply for American financial aid through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Note that for all UNISG programs, loan applications must be initiated by the student and received at UNISG electronically.
Maximum Loan Amounts
Direct Stafford Loans are need based (subsidized) and non-need based (unsubsidized) and are subject to annual limits. The loan calculation is based on information from your FAFSA, information about other financial aid you are receiving and the cost of attendance (tuition and living expenses) which is set by the university.
PLUS loans (for parents of dependent students) and Grad PLUS loans (for independent students in the UNISG Master program) are also available.
Several steps are involved in applying for financial aid. Ensure that you start the process early in order to complete all steps in accordance with both the US Department of Education and UNISG deadlines.
As loans of all kinds involve serious financial commitments, UNISG requires that students be fully responsible in ensuring accurate and timely submission of their FAFSA. Although in some cases a student’s parents may help with completing the form, the student is considered ultimately responsible for his or her application process.
Applying
To apply for a Direct Loan, you must:
1. Complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). In completing the FAFSA, you must indicate the UNISG Federal School Code (also called the Title IV Code): G41391.
2. E-Sign an MPN (Master Promissory Note).
3. Email the UNISG Financial Aid Office, indicating the total amount of subsidized loan, unsubsidized loan, and PLUS loan you are applying for. Also indicate any other financial aid or scholarships you are receiving, as well as any other documentation or information you wish to transmit that was not included in your FAFSA. All amounts should be shown in US dollars and you should indicate the UNISG program you are applying for.
4. Complete entrance counseling, if you are a first-time Stafford Loan applicant.
Deadlines
– FAFSA submission: within five days of the UNISG Registrar’s announcement of accepted candidates.
– Acceptance of UNISG admission offer and payment of initial deposit: within five days of receipt of loan confirmation from UNISG Financial Aid.
Disbursement of Funds
FSA funds are not disbursed directly to the student. Disbursements are made to UNISG and applied to the student’s university account. Funds in excess of the student’s university fees will be disbursed to the student’s personal bank account once the student arrives at UNISG. All currency exchange rates are based on the rate in effect on the day of deposit of funds.
All students receiving US federal financial aid must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress (SAP) during their UNISG program, according to the university’s SAP policy. Additional details regarding SAP will be provided to students upon enrollment.
For more information, contact: UNISG Financial Aid Office
UNISG Federal School (Title IV) Code: G41391
CALENDAR
| Payment | Amount | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | €2.000 | Within 8 days of admission notification |
| 1st installment | €8.500 | September 30, 2026 |
| 2nd installment | €6.000 | March 31, 2027 |
Scholarship evaluation deadline
TBD
Recipient notification
TBD
Where does a UNISG graduate work?
UNISG graduates build careers across diverse sectors of the food industry. The interdisciplinary training, which integrates technical, cultural and methodological expertise, prepares students for roles in business, innovation, public institutions and entrepreneurship. Our alumni apply the skills acquired during their studies to address complex challenges in the food system and society.
Graduates work in product development and brand strategy for food companies, beverage brands and retail organizations. Their understanding of food systems, consumer behavior and market dynamics enables effective product positioning and brand value creation in competitive markets.
Our alumni work as:
- Global Brand Manager
- Export sales manager
- Global Communication Manager
UNISG graduates work as specialized journalists, content creators and communication managers for media outlets, companies and organizations. They communicate complex topics to diverse audiences, addressing sustainability, culture and science through editorial content, visual media and digital platforms.
Our alumni work as:
- Food & Sustainability Journalist
- Content Strategist – Media and Corporate Communication
- Communication Manager – Food and Environmental Organizations
Some graduates launch businesses in the food sector: restaurants, food production, agritech ventures and specialized startups. Their interdisciplinary training in business, innovation and food systems provides the tools to develop innovative concepts and scale enterprises.
Our alumni work as:
- Founder & CEO – Food Startup
- Owner – Innovative Food & Beverage Project
- Agritech Entrepreneur
UNISG graduates contribute to policy development and program implementation in government agencies, NGOs and international organizations. They work on food policy, agricultural development, nutrition and sustainability, addressing food security and systemic change at both local and global levels.
Our alumni work as:
- Food Policy Officer – NGO or International Organization
- Programme Coordinator – FAO / UN Agencies
- Agricultural Development Consultant – Government Bodies
Consulting firms employ UNISG graduates to support food companies, retailers and organizations on strategy, sustainability, supply chain management and innovation. Their multidisciplinary perspective enables them to assist clients in navigating complex operational and strategic challenges.
Our alumni work as:
- Sustainability Consultant – Agrifood Sector
- Gastronomic Heritage Advisor – Cultural and Territorial Institutions
- Sustainability & Supply Chain Advisor – Food & Beverage Industry
Universities, culinary schools and professional training organizations employ UNISG graduates as lecturers and trainers. They teach food systems, sustainability, culture and innovation through academic and specialized programs.
Our alumni work as:
- Lecturer in Food Systems & Sustainability
- Curriculum Developer – Culinary Schools and Professional Programs
- Trainer – Food Education Programs
The hospitality and food service sector employs graduates in management roles: restaurant management, menu development, culinary operations supervision and team coordination. They apply their gastronomic, cultural and managerial expertise to create distinctive dining experiences.
Our alumni work as:
- Restaurant General Manager
- Food & Beverage Director – Hospitality Venues
- Culinary Operations Coordinator
Work on Real Projects
With Industry Leaders
The Strategic Partners Club is an international network of organizations, businesses, and professionals operating in over 50 industry sectors: from production to distribution, from catering to food packaging. The partners recognize Pollenzo as a center of excellence in transdisciplinary research and innovation in the world of food, and collaborate with the University on concrete projects: corporate training, innovation initiatives, and shared research pathways. It is a network that students begin engaging with as early as their first year of study.
