Overview
Level
- Undergraduate, NZQF Level 6
Distance learning
- Available
Credits
- 120
Duration
- Equivalent to 1 year full-time. Available part-time only.
Massey University’s Diploma in Dairy Technology is for those working in the dairy industry.
It provides essential skills for new employees to the dairy industry. It also provides opportunities for upskilling and diversification for established employees within the sector.
The Diploma could also be a good way to get dairy-industry-specific knowledge.
What will you learn?
When you graduate, you will be able to apply enhanced technical skills and competencies across an extended range of dairy processing and manufacturing systems.
The qualification encompasses all key elements in the production of dairy ingredients and foods. It provides you with knowledge across specific manufacturing systems. You will also gain a broad understanding of food safety and quality assurance principles.
You’ll study elements of dairy microbiology and food safety as well as engineering, processing and chemistry. Ingredient and product technology as well as manufacturing principles are also part of the curriculum.
Leading agriculture study in New Zealand
The production and manufacture of dairy ingredients and foods has been central to the New Zealand economy for many years. Massey University has an established reputation for excellence in delivery of qualifications supporting the food sector and dairy.
Flexible and practical
The Diploma in Dairy Technology is offered via distance learning. There are short contact workshops - on-campus sessions at the Massey University Manawatū campus. Lectures are delivered both at the contact workshops and are recorded so that they can be watched at a time that suits you.
Entry requirements
University admission
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Programme admission
Required
To enter the Diploma in Dairy Technology you will:
- have attained at least 14 credits at NCEA Level 2 Mathematics, Science or Biology, plus one other subject, or equivalent; or;
- produce evidence of informal learning equivalent to that specified above.
In all cases applicants must have been employed in the dairy industry for at least one year, and have ongoing employment in the dairy industry while studying.
English language requirements
To study this programme you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
Prior learning, credit and exemptions
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
If you do not have the entry requirements
English language and foundation courses
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, we have courses and programmes that may help.
- English Language Proficiency
- Foundation Certificate in Academic English
- Foundation Certificate in Advanced Academic English
- Full Foundation - Certificate in Foundation Studies
Summer School
If you need to do a course before you start your programme, there may be options for you in Summer School.
Courses and planning
Credit summary
120 credits
From the Schedule to the Diploma
Attend field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials, and laboratories as required.
See ‘Courses for this programme’ below for schedules of courses.
Courses for this programme
Part One
| 60 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| 141140 | Dairy Chemistry | 15 |
| 141141 | Dairy Engineering | 15 |
| 141144 | Dairy Processing | 15 |
| 141242 | Dairy Microbiology and Food Safety | 15 |
Part Two
| 60 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| 141243 | Dairy Ingredient Technology | 15 |
| 141245 | Dairy Product Technology | 15 |
| 141246 | Cheese and Whey Technology and Manufacturing | 15 |
| 141247 | Dairy Manufacturing Principles | 15 |
Planning your programme
Planning overview
The Diploma in Dairy Technology is a parts-based qualification. That means you must complete the first part, before moving to the second.
This diploma comprises eight 15 credit courses spread over two calendar years.
Taught courses are based on an overall workload of 150 hours, and comprise 50% delivered content and 50% self-directed learning.
Your learning will comprise recorded and online lectures and tutorials (including selective delivery from dairy industry technical experts).
Year 1/Part One
You will undertake four 15 credit courses (three at NZQF level 5, one at NZQF level 6), spanning a semester of 26 weeks. As the qualification is delivered via distance mode, content is mainly provided in weekly recorded or online lectures. This is supplemented by directed self-learning. A two week ‘contact workshop’ component is timetabled midway through the semester. This will include laboratories, workshops and site visits and takes place on Massey’s Manawatū campus.
The assessment schedule for each course comprises online testing, a written report (either technical or laboratory) and end of semester exam.
Year 2/Part Two
You will be required to have successfully completed Year 1 courses for continuation on the Year 2 programme. Year 2 follows a similar calendar prescription to your first year. It comprises four courses of 15 credits at NZQF level 6. Three of these courses are taught, delivered and assessed as per Year 1 courses. The remaining course is a project course (15 credits, NZQF level 6). It is based at the industry location where you are currently employed. Supervision during the project is provided by both an academic and an industry based supervisor.
Fees and scholarships
Fees and finance
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
If you already know which courses you are going to take, you can use our fees calculator to get an estimate of your fees.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students will find their National Student Number on their student homepage.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student homepage login
A good fit if you:
- are new to the dairy industry and would like to learn more
- want to further your career in the dairy industry
- want to be at the forefront of industry improvements.
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Regulations
Review this important information before you apply for this programme. This gives you full details of the rules and regulations about what you need to study and what you must achieve in order to graduate with this qualification. That includes structure, courses and requirements. These regulations should be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including the below.
Undergraduate programmes
Applying and enrolling
Applying for the programme
Check you are ready
If you are ready to apply, have a look at our application checklist. It will help you get prepared with what you need. Please also check the entry requirements carefully before you apply.
Choose your programme and click on Apply now
You will apply for the programme using the Apply now button on this page. You’ll also choose your specialisation (major, subject or endorsement) if applicable.
Some programmes have additional requirements such as the submission of a portfolio or CV. Click on Apply now and you will be able to submit those documents as part of the application process.
Receive and accept an Admission Offer of Place
You will receive an Admission Offer of Place when you have been accepted into the programme. You need to accept this before you can enrol in your courses. International students also need to pay their fees at this point.
Enrolling in courses
You’ll then get access to your own student homepage (also known as the student portal). This is where you can enrol in courses. Any updates on your application or enrolments will also be on your student homepage. Make sure you check this regularly.
When you choose courses, ensure you check for any requirements that apply including:
- prerequisites (courses you have to do before the one you are enrolling in)
- corequisites (courses you have to do at the same time as the one you are enrolling in)
- restrictions (courses that you cannot enrol in if you are completing or have completed another identified similar course)
- location – for instance some distance-based courses still have an on-campus element, so double check that the way the course is taught is suitable for your situation.
Each of our courses has its own webpage where you can find this information. You can use our course search to find course pages.
More information on courses is in the ‘Courses for this programme’ section on this page.
You can find information on application due dates and semester dates on the key dates page.
We look forward to welcoming you to Massey!
If you have any questions, contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
What are courses and credits?
What are courses and credits?
Each Massey programme is made up of courses (in some tertiary institutions they are called ‘papers’).
You will have some compulsory courses and some you can choose from.
Each course is worth a certain amount of credits (often 15 credits, but this does vary). You must gain a set number of credits to be able to graduate from this programme.
There may also be some rules about which courses you need to pass to progress to the next year, or stage, of your study (known as progression). There are also courses you must pass to graduate with a specialisation.
- See the ‘Courses for this programme’ section for the list of courses.
- Courses search
Understanding course numbers
The first three digits of our course numbers show you which subject the course is about.
The second three digits show you the level and course ID number. For instance:
- sub-degree courses are '0' (i.e. xxx.0xx)
- undergraduate study begins at 100-level, (i.e. xxx.1xx)
- as you progress through 200- and 300-level courses this number changes to 2 and 3 respectively. The higher the number that starts the second three digits, the higher the level of study.
| 1 | 6 | 2 | . | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Subject area | Level | Course ID number | |||||
Workload and time management
Use this tool to help determine how much time you will need each week to complete your studies.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the programme or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these programmes go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Enquire button on this page if you have any questions.
Scholarships and awards
There are a number of scholarships available for new and current students. They could relate to your situation, achievement or interest.