Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Food Technology (MFoodTech) at Massey University is a research-focused postgraduate qualification designed for students who want advanced technical and research capability in food science, food technology or food engineering. Massey says the programme has been producing graduates for the New Zealand and international food industries for more than 50 years.

Key benefits include:

• Practical preparation for independent food-industry research.
• A substantial research project addressing real food-industry problems and solutions.
• Development of research and technical skills applicable to commercial food production.
• Access to a pilot plant for investigating food manufacturing processes.
• Access to laboratories for food texture, rheology, physical properties, chemical composition and microbial analysis.
• Access to sensory facilities for consumer and sensory research.
• Access to post-harvest facilities for packaging, storage and preservation research.
• Research expertise covering meat and fish technology, dairy technology, fruit and vegetables, cereals, food additives and ingredients.
• Opportunities to develop prototypes, test products with consumers and investigate commercial-scale production.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The MFoodTech is a parts-based qualification. Students must complete Part One before progressing to Part Two, and a B grade average must be maintained across Part One courses for progression.

Part One — 60 credits

Students complete:

• Research Methods: 15 credits
• Food Technology courses selected from the schedule: 45 credits.

Compulsory Research Methods

119729 Research Methods — 15 credits

This course covers:

• Foundations of science
• Ethics
• Scientific method
• Systems approaches to problem-solving and research
• Selection of appropriate research methods
• Survey methods
• Case studies
• Enterprise/project analysis
• Modelling
• Analysis and presentation of research results
• Research communication skills.

Food Technology courses

Students select 45 credits from the listed Food Technology courses.

141708 Food Packaging, Preservation and Storage — 15 credits

Topics include:

• Food microbiology
• Chemistry
• Reaction kinetics
• Process engineering
• Packaging technology
• Preservation processes
• Packaging technologies
• Storage and supply-chain systems
• Fresh and manufactured food products.

141712 Strategic Food Product Development — 15 credits

This course covers the food-product development process from:

• New product strategy
• Identification of product opportunities
• Product development
• Finished-product launch
• Launch strategies and tactics.

141715 Food Ingredient Functionality — 15 credits

Topics include:

• Physico-chemical properties of food ingredients
• Food stability
• Sensory properties
• Technofunctionality
• Health properties and biofunctionality
• Food destabilisation mechanisms
• Control of key food reactions
• Dairy systems including dispersions, emulsions, foams and gels.

Part Two — 120 credits

The major research component is a 120-credit thesis.

Students can take:

• 141805 Thesis — 120 credits; or
• 141806 Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 — 60 credits, followed by
• 141807 Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 — 60 credits.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Master of Food Technology is awarded without a formal specialisation.

However, the programme supports research across areas such as:

• Food science
• Food technology
• Food engineering
• Food product development
• Food packaging
• Food preservation and storage
• Food ingredients and functionality
• Dairy technology
• Meat and fish technology
• Fruit and vegetable technology
• Cereals
• Food additives and ingredients
• Sensory and consumer research.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 9 master's qualification.
• 180-credit standard pathway.
• 1.5 years full-time.
• Manawat? campus in Palmerston North.
• Campus-based study for international students.
• Strong emphasis on research and practical food-industry applications.
• 120-credit thesis component.
• Access to a food-processing pilot plant.
• Specialist food-analysis laboratories.
• Sensory research facilities.
• Post-harvest research facilities.
• Research exposure across multiple food sectors.
• Opportunity to investigate real commercial food-industry problems.
• Qualification awarded without specialisation.
• Pathway toward further research at PhD level.

Career Outcomes

Massey states that MFoodTech graduates are sought after by employers and are known for their ability to coordinate:

• Product development
• Process development
• Quality management
• Production management.

Potential career progression can include:

• Food research and development
• Food product development
• Process development
• Food production management
• Quality-related technical roles
• Senior technical positions
• Food-industry management and leadership
• Food technology entrepreneurship.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current official information indicates:

• MFoodTech remains an active Massey qualification.
• The current programme is based at Manawat campus, Palmerston North.
• It is open to international students on campus in New Zealand.
• The standard qualification is 180 credits.
• Full-time duration is 1.5 years.
• A 120-credit advanced-entry route is available for specified applicants under the qualification regulations.
• The degree is awarded without specialisation.
• Part One must be completed before Part Two.
• A B grade average across Part One is required for progression to Part Two.
• A research-interest statement of up to 200 words is required with the application.
• Official transcripts from universities other than Massey must be provided.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying the MFoodTech on campus in Palmerston North, the relevant New Zealand visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand requires applicants to generally:

• Have an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Have sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or an acceptable scholarship.
• Demonstrate sufficient funds for living expenses or have an acceptable sponsor.
• Meet health requirements.
• Meet character requirements.
• Have a genuine reason for coming to New Zealand to study.
• Have appropriate medical and travel insurance.
• Demonstrate that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.