Introduction
Food technology has increasingly become a demanding course due to the rapid growth of the world population together with the need for food and beverage. Statistical data from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment NZ showed that the demand for food technologist positions in New Zealand is projected to rise 3% per year until 2026. However, there is an insufficient number of qualified food technologists available in the country.
Why Study Food Technology in NZ?
- New Zealand University reputation
There are not many universities in New Zealand, however, all of them are in the top 400 universities in QS World University Rankings in which The University of Auckland is proudly placed 65th in the world.
- Chance to explore the “kiwi” country
NZ is so called “kiwi”, named after its national icon: endemic flightless kiwi. Studying in NZ offers you the opportunity to explore the beautiful country. The four well known cities are Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington.
- Chance to stay longer and get permanent residency in NZ
Studying food technology in New Zealand gives you the chance to stay longer in the country up to 3 years under Post Study Work Visa (PSWV). Moreover, if you study for a master’s degree equivalent to NZQF level 9 or above, you can bring your family with you as well. With this level of study, your partner will have full time work rights and your child can study with domestic school fee (normally free).
The most important highlight of studying food technology is that food technologist is an occupation in NZ Green List Tier 1. It means that if you can have a job offer after graduated, you can apply straight to permanent residency in NZ.
Programs for International Students
There are different levels of study about food technology that suit your need:
- Bachelor: the duration of study is 3 years for bachelor’s degree and 4 years for bachelor with honors.
- Master: it is a 1.5 or 2-year full time degree
- Master of Philosophy: study from 1 to 2 years
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): the degree can take 3 to 6 years to complete
Top Universities for Food Technology
Massey University
University of Auckland
University of Otago
Auckland University of Technology
Lincoln university
Entry Requirements for Food Technology
- English requirement: Unlike many Australia universities, English requirements for bachelor’s degree in most of universities NZ is IELTS 6.0 overall and minimum 5.5 each band and IELTS 6.5 overall and minimum 6.0 each band for master’s degree
- Academic requirements: you need a high school diploma to get into bachelor’s degree while master’s degree requires bachelor’s degree or higher, some universities may require GPA.
Tuition Fee for Food Technology
Depending on the institutions, tuition fee for food technology courses varies ranging from NZD35,000 – NZD53,000 per year for bachelor’s degree and around NZD42,000 – NZD54,000 for master’s degree.
There are scholarships available for international students, please contact us at [email protected] or 07 3003 1899 for more information regarding scholarships.
Career Outcomes
Studying food technology can lead to a wide range of careers in the food and beverage industry as well as the research field. The career outcomes are included but not limited to:
- Food technologist
- Product development technologist
- Process engineer
- Food safety manager
- Production team leader
- Food microbiologist
- Packaging technologist
- Technical sales and support
Migration Pathway
There are two potential migration routes for those graduated from Food Science or Technology courses in New Zealand.
- Skilled Migration Category (SMC) or 6-points system:
This pathway is mainly based on your qualifications and work experience. As long as you have a total of 6 points and earn median hourly wage of $31.61, you can apply for permanent residency.
Notably, a bachelor’s degree earns you 3 points, while a master’s degree rewards 5 points. In terms of experience, working in New Zealand for 1 year gives you 1 point, and 3 points are granted for 3 years of experience
For instance: If you study for a master’s degree (1 or 2 years) in Food Science or Technology in NZ, then you get 5 points. After graduation, you can apply for a Post Study Work visa which allows you and your family members to stay and work up to 3 years in New Zealand. Under this visa, you will have plenty of time to find a job. Once you accumulate 1 year of work experience in NZ, you can claim 1 point and become eligible to apply for permanent residency.
- Green List Occupation Tier 1:
There is another pathway to obtain New Zealand permanent residency which is more quickly than through the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC): applying via the Green List category.
As food technologist is listed on the NZ Green List Tier 1 Occupation, you can apply straightly for permanent residency as soon as you get a job offer and get paid at least the median wage. As of 2024, the median wage in NZ is 31.61 per hour.
To be eligible via this pathway, you must obtain one of the following qualifications:
- Bachelor of Food Technology with Honors (Food Product Technology or Food Process Engineering) (NZQF level 8), or
- A qualification at NZQF level 7 or higher in one of the focus areas, such as nutrition, food science, food technology and food engineering.
Please note that NZQF Level 7 qualifications must have a minimum equivalent of 360 credits, including the requirements for a New Zealand major in the focus areas. NZQF Level 8 qualifications must either have a minimum equivalent of 360 credits, including the requirements for a New Zealand major in the focus areas, or a minimum equivalent of 120 credits in the focus areas with a relevant underpinning bachelor’s degree at NZQF Level 7.
FAQs
How much do food technicians make in New Zealand?
According to Seek.co.nz, the average annual salary for food technicians in NZ from $70,000 to $85,000
What is the difference between food technology and food nutrition?
Food technology focuses on the production of food, including processing, quality control and product development; whereas food nutrition is about the nutritional value of food and how to maintain good health and community safety.