Type of qualification
Level of study
Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements.
Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.
Time to complete
Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Study a Master of Food Safety and Quality – MFoodSafQual
Food safety and quality are essential to the success of all food manufacturing companies and critical for New Zealand’s economic success. Food manufacturers need absolute confidence in the safety and quality of their products. You can choose to study full time or part time with a programme supported with an online learning environment.
In big demand by employers around the world
Food companies have a growing need for expertise in food safety and quality. If they do not have this expertise themselves, consultants with the relevant qualifications provide them with services.
You could start your own consultancy business. Or to work for the government department overseeing food safety in your country.
Work on real food industry issues
The Master in Food Safety and Quality provides practical skills as well as a depth of knowledge. These enable you to manage problems in food manufacturing. You’ll also develop preventative tools designed to provide confidence in the quality and safety of food.
World-leading facilities
At Massey University, you will have access to the latest modern food processing and analytical equipment to undertake research that is applied and practical to the food industry.
- A fully equipped pilot plant. This operates under a risk management programme to enable the export of foods of assured safety and quality.
- Specialist equipment for both thermal and non-thermal processing.
- Laboratories equipped to analyse microbial, chemical and foreign matter contaminants, including a PC2 laboratory enabling you to work with foodborne pathogens.
- Instruments to measure food composition.
Massey guarantees you research expertise in meat, fish and dairy technology, fruit and vegetable postharvest storage and processing, food formulation, additives and ingredients.
A MFoodSafQual is a good fit if you:
- already work in an area relevant to food safety and want to further your career
- are looking for professional development
- have a passion for improving food safety and quality.
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Master of Food Safety and Quality you will have been awarded or qualified for:
- a bachelor with honours degree in food engineering, food science or food technology, or equivalent, or
- a bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, technology, or equivalent and completed at least 36 months relevant professional experience in the food or biological products industry.
You will need to provide:
- a curriculum vitae with your application indicating relevant professional experience in the food or biological products industry
- copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit
Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with Distinction or Merit.
- Look for information under ‘Student Progression’ in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
- Contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
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 Get advice button on this page.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Maximum time limits for completion
There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.
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 Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate 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.
Structure of the Master of Food Safety and Quality
The Master of Food Safety and Quality is a parts-based qualification. That means you must complete the first part, before moving to the second.
You also need to maintain a B grade average over the Part One courses to move to Part Two.
Courses and specialisations
Key terms
- Courses
- Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
- Course code
- Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
- Credits
- Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
- Specialisations
- Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
Credit summary
180 credits
- Part One research methods course – 15 credits
- Part One compulsory courses – 60 credits
- Part One electives courses selected from the Schedule – 45 credits
- Part Two research report – 60 credits
This is a parts-based qualification. This means there are regulations around your completion of Part One before progressing to Part Two, etc.
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.
Part One (Choose 120 credits from)
Compulsory courses (Choose 60 credits from)
Course code: 141708 Food Packaging, Preservation and Storage credits 15
Application of a multi-disciplinary approach drawing from microbiology, chemistry, reaction kinetics, process engineering and packaging technology to the development, evaluation and optimisation of preservation processes, packaging technologies, and storage and supply chain systems for fresh and manufactured food products.
View full course detailsCourse code: 141709 Emerging Technologies for the Food Industry credits 15
In depth case-studies of the principles and modelling of novel food processes, including an appraisal of the advantages and disadvantages compared with established processes. New developments in the preservation of foods, the structuring of foods, the separation of food materials and packaging, storage and handling of foods can be studied.
View full course detailsCourse code: 141720 Advanced Food Quality credits 30
Critical reviews, case studies, advanced study and/or research into selected aspects of food quality.
View full course detailsCourse code: 141710 Food Packaging Engineering and Legislation credits 15
The properties of packaging materials and requirements of labelling/legislation and the implications of choice on product shelf life, integration with processing, transport, traceability and information systems, and impact on consumer interaction with the product, sustainability and product cost are explored as part of this course.
View full course detailsCourse code: 141712 Strategic Food Product Development credits 15
This course provides a strategic overview of the food product development process from the initial new product strategy and its influence on identification of product opportunities through to the actual launch of the finished food product and its influence on the launch strategies and tactics adopted by a company.
View full course detailsCourse code: 141724 Food Quality Safety and Innovation credits 15
This course will cover risk assessment and management techniques that can be applied to any sector of the food industry, important in the development of a new food product to ensure the development of safe foods of high quality and appropriate cost. The legal and commercial justification for ingredients, preservation, processing, packaging and distribution technologies will be taught.
View full course detailsCourse code: 141794 Special Topic credits 15
Course code: 231727 Epidemiology and Biostatistics credits 30
An exploration of the core principles and practice of epidemiology and biostatistics in assessing and responding to population health need. Students will learn the skills necessary to analyse and interpret data, disseminate information, and critically appraise quantitative literature. The focus of the course is on the application of epidemiology and biostatistics for policy development and decision-making across the health system.
View full course detailsCourse code: 285742 Topics in Advanced Plant Protection credits 30
Selected topics in Advanced Plant Protection, including host defence and disease resistance mechanisms, weed control and herbicide activity, as well as principles and methods of integrated arthropod pest (insect and mite) management.
View full course detailsCourse code: 287741 Quality System Development and Management credits 15
All organisations are required to effectively manage the quality of their goods and services, and that of the processes and systems that produce or deliver them. This course introduces the key principles of quality systems and their control and management. This includes core definitions, key theories, relevant standards, documentation requirements, and associated tools, methods and principles for managing and controlling quality.
View full course detailsCourse code: 119729 Research Methods credits 15
Research methods for students whose research focuses on the human-science interface and human applications of science. The course includes foundations of science, ethics, the scientific method, and systems approaches to problem-solving and research; selection of appropriate research methods, including survey methods, case studies, enterprise/project analysis, and modelling; analysis and presentation of research results and communication skills.
View full course detailsCourse code: 228797 Research Methods in Engineering and Technology credits 15
Research methods for students in engineering and technology. Topics include: statistical design of research experiments; hypothesis testing; use of statistical models to test engineering questions; data analysis; literature searches; development of research proposals; critical assessment of scientific literature.
View full course detailsPart Two (Choose 60 credits from)
Course code: 141803 Research Report: Food credits 60
Research in a defined area of Food Science, Technology or Engineering.
View full course detailsFees 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.
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
Graduates of Massey’s Master of Food Safety and Quality have many opportunities to capitalise on the demands of the global food industry. There is steady growth internationally for experts in the management of food safety and quality in government departments, the food industry, and in consultancy and regulatory organisations. These careers span auditing, crisis management, training and establishing risk management systems.
Rapid progression to management
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. The programme gives you the potential to lead to senior management roles or establishing your own business as a consultant.
A path to more in-depth research
The food industry is dynamic and with that comes the need for research in innovative and effective methods in food assurance.
The Massey Master of Food Safety and Quality positions you to deal with new challenges and develop smart solutions for tomorrow’s problems.
Earn more
A 2017 Ministry of Education publication, The post-study earnings and destinations of young domestic graduates, found that in New Zealand:
- young master’s graduates earn more than one and a half times more than the national median (five years after study)
- five years after completion, the median earnings of young master’s graduates are 15% higher than for those with a bachelor’s degree
- earnings and employment rates increase with the level of qualification completed.
Five years after completion, the median earnings of young master’s graduates are 15% higher than for those with a bachelor’s degree.
Accreditations and rankings
Related study options
Food Process Engineering – Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours
The world needs healthy and safe food products and ingredients manufactured on a large scale. New food products pose challenging and exciting process design problems that you can help solve.
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 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