Program Overview

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Introduction to the Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours

The Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours is a unique qualification that combines food science, food engineering, and food business. This degree is the only one of its kind in Australasia and has been producing highly employable graduates for the New Zealand and international food industries for over 50 years.

Type of Qualification

The Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours is a Bachelor's degree with honours, classified as an undergraduate study at NZQF level 8.

Time to Complete

The degree typically takes 4 years to complete full-time, consisting of 480 credits.

International Students

The program is open to international students on campus in New Zealand.

Key Dates

Important dates include admission application due dates, course enrolment dates for accepted students, and semester dates.

Study Overview

The Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours teaches fundamental and applied food technology skills, including practical laboratory and workshop sessions focused on real industry problems and solutions. The degree allows students to move directly into key roles in the food industry without further training.

Majors

There are two majors in the Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours degree:

• Food Product Technology: Students learn how to lead and manage food product development from idea generation to product launch.
• Food Process Engineering: Students focus on engineering principles, learning how to design processes and use technology to create effective food production systems.

Further Study

Graduates can further their studies with a postgraduate research project or become teachers.

Entry Requirements

To be admitted to the University, students must meet the university entrance requirements. There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification outside of university admission regulations. English language requirements must also be met.

Prior Learning, Credit, and Exemptions

Information on prior learning, exemptions, and transfer of credit can be found in the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations.

Recommended Prior Learning

Recommended prior learning includes:

• NCEA: Mathematics (at least 16 Level 3 credits), Physics (at least 16 Level 3 credits), and Chemistry (at least 14 Level 3 credits).
• Cambridge International Examinations: Mathematics (A Level, C Grade), Physics (A Level, C Grade), and Chemistry (A Level, C Grade).
• International Baccalaureate: Mathematics (5 points, Higher Level), Physics (5 points, Higher Level), and Chemistry (5 points, Higher Level).

Structure of the Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours

The degree is a parts-based qualification, consisting of four parts made up of eight courses (120 credits) in each part. Each part corresponds to a year of full-time study.

Practical Work Experience

As part of the degree, students must complete 800 hours of practical work experience over two summer vacations, working for approved companies in the food manufacturing, distribution, retail, or food service sectors.

Course Planning Key

• Prerequisites: Courses that must be completed before moving on to a course at the next level.
• Corequisites: Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course.
• Restrictions: Some courses are restricted against each other due to similar content.

Fees and Scholarships

• 2026 tuition fees: Domestic students ($9,157), International students ($45,580).
• The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students.
• Various scholarships and awards are available, including the Fonterra Massey University Food Technology Scholarship and the Peter Hawkins Food Technology Scholarship.

Careers and Job Opportunities

Graduates with a Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours can pursue a wide range of employment opportunities in New Zealand and around the world, including roles such as food technologist, product development technologist, process technologist, process engineer, flavour technologist, and packaging technologist.

Accreditations and Rankings

• The Institute of Food Technologist (IFT) has approved both majors of the BFoodTech (Hons).
• Massey University is ranked 43rd in the world for Food Science and Technology by ShanghaiRanking.