Program Overview

Master of Food Science (MFS)

The Master of Food Science (MFS) program was launched in 2007 with a focus to prepare students for professional work in the food industry or government. Since its inception, the MFS program has trained up to 30 graduate students per year.

Overview

In the one-year program, students gain a solid theoretical foundation in food science alongside valuable practical experience in the industry. They build connections, gain teamwork and communication skills, and learn theory that can be applied globally. The emphasis in this professional program is on problem-based learning, so a thesis is not required – instead, students gain valuable practical experience in a 3.5-month industry practicum.

What Makes the Program Unique?

The MFS program is the only program in Canada to offer a one-year, non-thesis Master of Food Science degree. The program is unique in combining graduate-level courses with a high-quality practicum experience. Every year, a number of practicum sites either hire or extend their student's contract. Although not all practicums result in an offer for post-graduation employment, some employers use their professional networks to refer graduates to their colleagues within the food sector.

Program Structure

After completing two semesters of coursework, the program culminates with a 15-week summer practicum in which students get hands-on experience, working on a project in an industry or government setting. Throughout the years, students have helped local, national, and international food sectors solve problems and provide advances in food safety, risk assessment, product development, sensory analysis, and process validation studies.

Quick Facts

• Faculty: Faculty of Land and Food Systems
• Academic Unit: Faculty of Land and Food Systems
• Specialization: Food Science
• Mode of delivery: In person at UBC Vancouver
• Program Components: Coursework only
• Tuition (First Year):
  • Domestic: $14,282.30
  • International: $49,214.40

Admission Information & Requirements

Minimum Academic Requirements

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of the application.

• TOEFL:
  • Overall score requirement: 90
  • Reading: 22
  • Writing: 21
  • Speaking: 21
  • Listening: 22
• IELTS:
  • Overall score requirement: 6.5
  • Reading: 6.0
  • Writing: 6.0
  • Speaking: 6.0
  • Listening: 6.0

Prior Degree, Course, and Other Requirements

• Prior Degree Requirements: Undergraduate degree in Food Science or related subject.
• Course Requirements:
  • Non-Food Science Courses:
    • Organic Chemistry - 2 courses
    • Biochemistry - 2 courses
    • Calculus - 1 course
    • Physics - 2 courses
    • Statistics - 1 course
    • Microbiology - 2 courses
  • Food Science: four courses (12 credits) from the following six core courses or equivalent.

Research Information

The MFS practicum is a 6-credit course offered in the third term of the program. All students are placed in practicum sites at the beginning of May, after they have completed all required courses, including a practicum-preparatory workshop.

Tuition & Financial Support

Tuition

• Fees:
  • Application Fee: $118.50 (Canadian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Refugee / Diplomat), $168.25 (International)
  • Tuition:
    • Installments per year: 3
    • Tuition per installment: $4,760.78 (Canadian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Refugee / Diplomat), $16,404.79 (International)
  • Program Fee: $14,282.34 (Canadian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Refugee / Diplomat), $49,214.37 (International)
• Other Fees and Costs:
  • Student Fees (yearly): $1,144.10 (approx.)
  • Costs of living: Estimate your costs of living with our interactive tool to start developing a financial plan for your graduate studies.

Financial Support

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based scholarships and bursaries.

Career Options

Our graduates are hired by local and international companies and government agencies in positions such as Quality Assurance Coordinator, Quality Control Manager, Technical Director, Research and Development Specialist, Product Design Specialist, Regulatory and Scientific Affairs Specialist, Process Scientist, and Consultant. A few graduates have pursued further studies towards a Ph.D. degree.

Alumni on Success

• Sean Xia: Plant Manager / Consultant at Clear Ocean Seafood Ltd./ Sirocco Food + Wine Consulting
• Jenna Buhrmann: Research & Development Food Scientist and Brewmaster at Kindred Cultures

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

• Enrolment Data:
  • Applications: 110 (2023), 147 (2022), 309 (2021), 182 (2020), 152 (2019)
  • Offers: 53 (2023), 56 (2022), 64 (2021), 62 (2020), 51 (2019)
  • New Enrolment: 40 (2023), 42 (2022), 37 (2021), 40 (2020), 36 (2019)
  • Total Enrolment: 41 (2023), 42 (2022), 37 (2021), 40 (2020), 36 (2019)
• Completion Rates & Times:
  • Graduation rate: 99% based on 117 students admitted between 2015-2018
  • Minimum time to completion: 1.02 years
  • Maximum time to completion: 1.02 years
  • Average time to completion: 1.02 years

Related Programs

• Same specialization:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science (PhD)
  • Master of Science in Food Science (MSc)
• Same Academic Unit:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Animal Biology (PhD)
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science (PhD)
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Human Nutrition (PhD)
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems (PhD)
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Science (PhD)
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Soil Science (PhD)
  • Graduate Certificate in Aquaculture (GCAQUA)
  • Master of Food and Resource Economics (MFRE)
  • Master of Land and Water Systems (MLWS)
  • Master of Science in Applied Animal Biology (MSc)
  • Master of Science in Food Science (MSc)
  • Master of Science in Human Nutrition (MSc)
  • Master of Science in Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems (MSc)
  • Master of Science in Plant Science (MSc)
  • Master of Science in Soil Science (MSc)

Further Information

• Specialization: Food Science
• Faculty: Faculty of Land and Food Systems
• Academic Unit: Faculty of Land and Food Systems
• Program Identifier: VGMMFS
• Classification: Agricultural and veterinary sciences » Agricultural biotechnology and food sciences » Food sciences (including food engineering)