Postgraduate study in Food Engineering

Our Master of Engineering Studies in Food Engineering covers both the theoretical and practical sides of the industry. In addition to lectures, this programme includes visits to local food processing plants. Also the syllabus prompts you to complete common industry tasks, such as preparing reports, ensuring that you’ll be ready to take on the real world upon graduation. We cover topics that are essential to the field, including:

• Engineering principles in food process engineering
• Food safety technologies, and operational methodologies, including mathematical models and systems
• Product and process design
• Nutritional composition
• Preservation and packaging
• Health and safety practices
• Technical and regulatory standards  

• All international applicants should ensure that they meet all the programme’s entry requirements. You should only proceed with your application if your GPA matches or exceeds the requirements for your country listed in the engineering programme of your choice. Please do not apply if your GPA is below the minimum entry requirements, but consider the alternative study options that may be offered as a pathway into your preferred programme.
• You are strongly advised to consider visa application times. Please be aware of the student visa processing times in your home economy and submit the documentation needed well ahead of the Faculty of Engineering and Design's programme application deadlines. For processing times, contact the New Zealand High Commission/Embassy or your education agent.
• Applicants applying for their second masters degree need to be aware that additional assessment requirements will take extra time. The Faculty of Engineering and Design is required to assess your previous masters degree courses to ensure that they do not overlap with your selected courses in the University of Auckland programme that you have expressed interest in. You must therefore allow more time for your application to be processed, and be aware that further documentations may be required. Submit your application well in advance of the deadline if this is your situation, as you may also need to take into account visa application times.

“My Programme Requirements” is a feature in Student Services Online that tells you what the academic requirements are for your programme.

It shows you what courses you are enrolled in, what courses you have passed and what courses you can take to complete your degree. For more information, see How to view your programme requirements.

Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering
This is a flexible programme that can be structured around your engineering interests. Find out more.

Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering
This is a 120-point fully taught programme. You will need to complete a minimum of 90-points of courses in Food Engineering from the electives listed under the Master of Engineering Studies below (excludes research projects). The remaining 30-points can also be selected from this list, or; you may choose up to 30-points of other appropriate courses, as approved by the Programme Director. Find out more.

Master of Engineering Studies
The Master of Engineering Studies in Food Engineering is available in 120-points and 180-points and in both research and taught options. Both options will be eligible for the award of Honours and you may be able to progress to the PhD.

Taught option:

30 points from:
CHEMMAT 779 A/B Research Project (30 points) available in both Semester 1 & 2

At least 15 points from:

Semester 1:
CHEMMAT 772 Advanced Food Process Engineering (15 points)

Semester 2:
CHEMMAT 758 Resource Recovery Technologies (15 points)
CHEMMAT 773 Food Process Systems Engineering (15 points)
CHEMMAT 778 Dairy Process Engineering (15 points)

For the 120-point programme you can select up to 75 points from the following courses. For the 180-point programme you can select up to 135 points:

Semester 1:
BIOSCI 741 Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (15 points)
CHEMMAT 712 Directed Study in Chemical Engineering (15 points)
CHEMMAT 752 Process Dynamics and Control (15 points)
CHEMMAT 756 Food Process Engineering (15 points)
CHEMMAT 760 Advanced Microbial Technology in Bioprocess Engineering (15 points)
CHEMMAT 763 Waste Reduction and Recycling Technologies (15 points)
ENGGEN 732 Systems Thinking and Project Business Case (15 points)
ENGGEN 769 Research Methods for Engineers Online (15 points)
ENVENG 702 Engineering Decision Making in Aotearoa Online (15 points)
FOODSCI 703 Food Processing (15 points)
FOODSCI 706 Food Safety (15 points)
FOODSCI 707 Food Science (15 points)
FOODSCI 740 Food Analysis (15 points)
FOODSCI 750 Advanced Topics in Food Science 1 (15 points)

Semester 2:
CHEMMAT 712 Directed Study in Chemical Engineering (15 points)
CHEMMAT 757 Engineering Biotechnology (15 points)
CHEMMAT 759 Industry 4.0 for Chemical Engineering (15 points)
ENGGEN 769 Research Methods for Engineers (15 points)
ENVENG 702 Engineering Decision Making in Aotearoa (15 points)
FOODSCI 708 Advanced Food Science (15 points)
FOODSCI 751 Advanced Topics in Food Science 2 (15 points)

Research option:

Core courses 120-points:
CHEMMAT 772 Advanced Food Process Engineering (15 points) – Semester 1
CHEMMAT 773 Food Process Systems Engineering (15 points) – Semester 2
CHEMMAT 777 A/B Research Portfolio (90 points) – Semester 1 & 2

Core courses 180-points:
CHEMMAT 776 A/B Research Portfolio (90 points) – Semester 1 & 2

At least 15 points from:
CHEMMAT 758 Resource Recovery Technologies (15 points)
CHEMMAT 772 Advanced Food Process Engineering (15 points)
CHEMMAT 773 Food Process Systems Engineering (15 points)
CHEMMAT 778 Dairy Process Engineering (15 points)

For the 180-point research degree you will also select a further 75-points elective courses; excluding research project (see above).

For course descriptions, refer to the University of Auckland Calendar.

For general student enquiries, please contact the Student Hubs. If you would like further academic information, you can contact a postgraduate adviser.