Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Food Process Engineering for your Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours at Massey
Every day new food products and food ingredients are developed. The large-scale food manufacturing processes needed to bring these safely and sustainably to the world are designed and managed by food engineers. With the Massey University food process engineering major, you will have the skills and knowledge to work in and to eventually lead this exciting global industry.
The world’s growing population needs healthy and safe foods and New Zealand is an important link in the global food supply chain to meet this demand.
Global opportunities
You could go on to manage the development and installation of new processing lines and factories producing products meeting the customer requirements in a safe, economical and sustainable way. You could also turn your great ideas into new innovative solutions. These could then be developed into a business.
The possibilities are endless and your skills can be applied all over the world.
A Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours in Food Process Engineering is a good fit if you:
- think methodically and enjoy research
- are interested in how raw agricultural products are transformed into healthy and exciting food products
- want to design or manage your own food factory.
Planning information
Full-time study in the first year comprises eight 15-credit courses, for a total of 120 credits. We recommend studying 60 credits per semester.
Practical work experience while you study
During your time with us you have to spend 800 hours (a minimum of 6 months) working as engineers with companies.
You will be required to submit two reports on your experiences. You may complete your practical work at the end of your second and third years of study (or the final practical after your fourth year).
See the main Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours page for more detailed information.
Typical pattern for the Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours
Core courses These courses are a compulsory part of your qualification.
Major courses Choose from a selection of courses appropriate for your specialisation.
Year one |
---|
120101 Plant Biology |
123104 Chemistry for Biological Systems |
123105 Chemistry & the Physical World |
124104 Physics 1A: Mechanics & Thermodynamics |
160101 Calculus |
160102 Algebra |
228115 Engineering & Technology Principles |
247114 Science & Sustainability for Engineering & Technology |
Year two |
---|
123201 Chemical Energetics |
123271 Molecules to Materials |
141211 Food Technology 3: Product Development |
141212 Food Technology 4: Manufacturing |
228271 Engineering Mathematics 2 |
280201 Industrial Microbiology |
280271 Heat & Mass – Conservation & Transfer |
280272 Fluid Flow & Particle Technology |
228210 Practicum I 0 credits |
Year three |
---|
141311 Food Microbiology and Safety |
141312 Food Characterisation |
141362 Food Formulation Technology |
141395 Food Chemistry |
228371 Statistical Modelling for Engineers & Technologists |
280371 Food Process Engineering Operations |
280372 Reaction Technologies & Process Modelling |
280304 Bioseparation and Purification Processes |
228310 Practicum II 0 credits |
Year four |
---|
141710 Food Packaging Engineering and Legislation |
141723 Industrial Systems Improvement |
141749 Food Engineering Research Project 30 credits |
141797 Food Engineering Design 30 credits |
280702 Process Control |
280771 Advanced Food Engineering |
700-level food product technology elective |
Courses are each worth 15 credits, except where indicated
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.
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 qualification 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 qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Courses you can enrol in
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Core courses for the Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours core courses
Food Process Engineering courses
Part Three
Course code: 280304 Bioseparation and Purification Processes credits 15
The principles and practice of bioseparations and purification processes. The following unit operations will be included: distillation, leaching, liquid/liquid extraction, protein fractionation, flocculation and chromatographic separations. A laboratory course.
View full course detailsPart Four
Compulsory courses
Course code: 141749 Food Engineering Research Project credits 30
Students apply their problem-solving skills and accumulated knowledge to a specific Food Engineering research problem. This is an individual, scholarly research project conducted under academic supervision. Projects are either sourced from industry or are related to ongoing research and development activities at the university.
View full course detailsCourse code: 141797 Food Engineering Design credits 30
Students will design an innovative factory-scale food manufacturing process based on a product specification. The emphasis is on following a formal, systematic methodology that makes appropriate use of both mathematical modelling and empirical data, within a realistic commercial context. Critical evaluation of the design outcome and process from commercial, technical, and professional perspectives is an important component.
View full course detailsCourse code: 280702 Process Control credits 15
Practical process control techniques including tuning single proportional integral derivative controllers, choosing appropriate control loops for a processing plant and measurement instrumentation. An overview of advanced control techniques. Programmable logical controllers. A practical course.
View full course detailsCourse code: 280771 Advanced Food Engineering credits 15
Integrated design of processes based on the application of thermodynamic and transport phenomena principles. Systematic methods for the development of dynamic modelling, simulation and visualisation of heat and mass transport applied to chemical and bioprocessing industries.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
Please see entry requirements details on the Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours page.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Can't meet the entry requirements?
There are some alternative ways to help you enter the food technology qualification:
Certificate in Science and Technology
This one-semester pathway is for students who need extra preparation in mathematics (160105 Methods of Mathematics), physics (124100 Introductory Physics) or chemistry (123103 Chemistry for Modern Sciences). These courses can be taken separately (depending on your background) or as part of the CertScTech qualification.
Please note you must have achieved 16 Credits in NCEA Level 2 Mathematics (or equivalent) before you enrol into 124100 Introductory Physics, 160105 Methods of Mathematics. To find out if you have what it takes, or what you need, to do the introductory courses we recommend that you attempt the relevant quiz here. Once you have completed the test/s, please contact the relevant course coordinator or enquire through this page to discuss your suitability for this course or an alternative pathway.
Diploma in Science and Technology
This two-semester pathway is if you need extra preparation in mathematics, physics or chemistry.This is suitable if you wish to study a wide range of courses and keep your options open to change to another qualification.
You can also choose subjects from: biology, programming, statistics, food, accounting, marketing, finance and management.
Summer Distance Courses
If you need extra preparation in mathematics, physics or chemistry, we have courses offered by distance learning over the summer that may help.
You are advised to only take two introductory subjects. These courses can be taken as a Certificate of Proficiency and can be put towards another qualification such as the BSc, BInfSc and BBus.
If you are currently completing Year 13 you should apply for discretionary entrance if you intend to study these courses before your NCEA Level 3 results (or equivalent) become available in January. See Massey University entry requirements for more information.
Fees and scholarships
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.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
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, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Fees Free website.
Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours fees
The BFoodTech(Hons) is a four year honours degree programme. Please note that fees will be charged according to the academic level of courses. This means that Years 1, 2 and 3 will be charged at the undergraduate course rate and Year 4 which is an honours year, will be charged at the postgraduate course rate.
Scholarship and award opportunities
Find more scholarships and awardsFees disclaimer
This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.
Careers and job opportunities
Career options after completing the Food Product Technology major include:
- food process engineer
- process engineer
- design engineer
- production supervisor.
International students
New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.
Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.
As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.
Accreditations and rankings

Engineering NZ
Massey's Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours (Food Process Engineering) is accredited by Engineering NZ, allowing our graduates to work internationally.

Institute of Food Technologist (IFT) approved
Both majors of the BFoodTech (Hons) are approved by the US-based Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).
Related study options
Food Product Technology – Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours
Learn how to develop the great-tasting food products of the future, incorporating exciting new nutritional health benefits.
Graduate Diploma in Dairy Science and Technology – GDipDairySciTec
An invaluable qualification for new and established employees across the dairy sector.
Master of Food Safety and Quality – MFoodSafQual
Enhance your career in the food industry with a Master of Food Safety and Quality. You will play a key role in managing food safety and quality in any food manufacturing company, food auditing company, or regulatory authority.
Master of Food Technology – MFoodTech
Massey’s Master of Food Technology will provide you with the practical skills needed to undertake independent research in the food industry. Become a research and development champion in the food industry.
Useful planning information

Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz