Master of Food Science and Technology
Overview
Build your career in a rapidly advancing industry and be part of the solution to global challenges like food security, nutrition and sustainability.
UQ is a key research provider in food science and technology — our teachers are active researchers who share the latest knowledge in food safety and quality management, food chemistry and microbiology, food processing and new food product development.
In the Master of Food Science and Technology, you'll refine your laboratory skills during practicals and research courses, and gain access to the Food Science Innovation Precinct – a world-class teaching, research, training and development unit.
Tailor your studies to your interests and career goals, with specialised electives such as business, agriculture and biotechnology.
You can also undertake a 14-week industry experience, where you'll apply your theoretical knowledge to a food-related workplace situation, acquire a detailed understanding of industry operations, and gain professional skills to enhance your career opportunities.
As a graduate, you'll be able to apply leadership, research and problem-solving skills to meet the global challenges associated with feeding the world by contributing to the provision of high-quality, safe and nutritionally valuable food and food products.
You'll graduate with an understanding of the global policy dialogue on food and food products.
Program highlights
- Refine your laboratory skills during practicals and research courses, and access the Food Science Innovation Precinct.
- Acquire a detailed understanding of industry operations and gain valuable professional skills.
- Tailor your studies to your interests and career goals with specialised electives.
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Work placements
- Research experience
- Laboratory work
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Food Safety and Quality Management
- Principles of Food Preservation
- Advanced Functional Foods
- Food Processing Technology
Career possibilities
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Food technologist
- Food chemist
- Food microbiologist
- Laboratory supervisor
- Process and product development manager
- Quality control manager
- Nutritionist
- Agribusiness consultant
- Food security adviser
- Sustainable food production specialist
Average annual salary range
Food Technologist
seek.com.au
Average annual salary range
Quality Assurance Coordinator
seek.com.au
Next steps after graduation
The food industry is Australia’s largest manufacturing sector and has unmet demand for highly qualified graduates.
Our science-based programs prepare you for a career as a food technologist, chemist, microbiologist, production manager, quality or safety control manager, new food product developer, and more.
UQ offers a 14-week internship as part of the Master of Food Science and Technology. Where else can you get an internship at Campbell’s, Arnott’s, and other food manufacturing companies that are Australian and global household names?
UQ offers a 14-week internship as part of the Master of Food Science and Technology. Where else can you get an internship at Campbell’s, Arnott’s, and other food manufacturing companies that are Australian and global household names?
Events
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7 April
International Baccalaureate Research Skills Program
30 June
Queensland Biology Winter School, Year 11
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Study tips
What will I learn in a food science program at UQ?
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Careers
What can you do with a food science degree?
4-minute read
Stories
See all storiesStudy tips
What will I learn in a food science program at UQ?
5-minute read
Careers
What can you do with a food science degree?
4-minute read
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
It's possible to complete this degree in 2 years or 1.5 years depending on your qualifications and experience.
You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements. You may also be eligible to apply for credit or exemptions to shorten your degree further. You'll graduate with the same qualification no matter how long you take to complete the degree.
2-year degree (32 units of study)
To be eligible to complete the degree in 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, with first-year, university-level chemistry or biology, or
- a graduate certificate (or equivalent) in food science and technology, or
- to have successfully completed 3 years of study towards an approved qualification at an overseas partner institution, with a formal pathway to the Master of Food Science and Technology.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
1.5-year degree (24 units of study)
If you have relevant prior learning or experience, you can reduce the number of courses you need to complete and graduate in less time.
To be eligible to complete the degree in 1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in food science, food technology or food engineering.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
Related programs
Depending on your previous qualifications and current goals, you might want to consider
one of these related programs:
English language requirements
IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
PTE Academic - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.
BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.
CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.
OET is not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Food Science and Technology are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
$9,314
2025
$9,314
2025
Approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
AUD $53,760
2025
AUD $53,760
2025
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
HECS-HELP
Domestic places in the Master of Food Science and Technology are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.
Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.
HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Scholarships
You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Master of Food Science and Technology is 5576.
This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.
When you apply, select your preferred duration. If you don't meet the requirements for your first preference, we'll automatically consider you for entry into a longer duration.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Applying online
All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.
The program code for the Master of Food Science and Technology is 5576.
This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.
When you apply, select your preferred duration. You can also ask us to consider you for a longer duration if you don't meet the entry requirements for your first preference.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in semester 2 - May 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in Semester 1 - January 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in Semester 2 - June 30 of the year of commencement.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
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