Get ready for a unique and exciting career designing new and better ways to feed the world with the Master of Food Science from Australia’s number 1 university.  You’ll be equipped to work in growing industries like product research and development, food safety and regulation, nutrition assessment and quality assurance.

The Master of Food Science was developed for science or engineering graduates seeking the specialist skills and knowledge required to excel in the food industry. It combines a strong core in food chemistry, processing, sensory science, food safety and microbiology, with career-focused electives and the opportunity to conduct an original research project.

With this advanced, specialist degree, you will become an industry-ready practitioner ready to become a leader in an exciting range of careers.

As a food scientist, your work could involve:

• Finding the best balance of ingredients to improve flavour in food formulation
• Discovering healthy new foods through research
• Investigating the effects of bioactive food components like prebiotics and antioxidants on health
• Helping to ensure foods are safely processed and produced
• Maintaining quality in food manufacturing
• Making foods stay safe and stable for longer.

Wherever you choose to take your degree, you will have the scientific knowledge and experience to contribute to a healthier world.

Gain valuable research experience

In the Master of Food Science, you will plan and execute an independent piece of research and communicate the impact of this work.

You will apply your knowledge to a real research topic under the guidance of one of our world-class food science researchers, meeting regularly to discuss research planning, progress and challenges. You will learn how to conduct research, present your findings effectively and report your work in a thesis or report – important skills for your career.

If you achieve high grades and meet other requirements, you may be eligible to progress to a Master of Philosophy or PhD in Food Science.

Boost your career with industry-relevant electives

Modern scientific workplaces require workers with a range of skills and capabilities beyond the lab. You can broaden your knowledge and career possibilities by selecting electives that will prepare you for the workplace.

Learn essential skills in:

• Financial and project management
• Economics
• Food policy and politics
• Nutrition
• Sustainability.

You can also take the Industry Internship elective to get hands-on experience in the food industry – the ideal way to boost your career.

Flexible options to suit your needs

As well as the Master of Food Science, we also offer shorter Graduate Diploma (1 year full time) and Graduate Certificate (6 months full time) courses. These allow you to complete some core subjects of the Master of Food Science alongside elective subjects. You can gain a qualification while exploring food science, and you can progress on to the Master of Food Science later if you wish to.

Learn the science behind food production

The core subjects of the Master of Food Science have been chosen to prepare you to play a key role in research and technical divisions within food companies and associated organisations.

Food must be safe, well made and delicious. This degree is designed to allow you to achieve that with science. You will learn chemistry and microbiology in the context of food, how food is processed to ensure safety and quality, how producers assess sensory responses to food and how to conduct food science research.

This course allows you to explore advanced research topics and their practical application in commercial settings.

Pursue your interests with electives

Do you have a passion for packaging design or sustainability? Do you want to understand the policies that influence what people eat? Do you want to be a star at managing projects? We have the electives for you.

You will also have the opportunity to learn about the factors that influence how the industry operates: regulatory frameworks, international trade and the influence of biotechnological methods in food production.

The Industry Internship elective provides access to some of Australia’s leading food science organisations and state-of-the-art facilities, as well as giving you opportunities for mentoring and network-building.

Learn to Conduct independent research

Understanding and conducting research is an important part of food science. You will complete either a minor or major research project, improving your understanding of an area of food science, preparing yourself for a career in food research and contributing to scientific knowledge.

The major research project is available to students who achieve a 75 per cent weighted average mark (WAM) in their first 100 points of study; other students will undertake a minor research project.

Become a food scientist

This degree will prepare you to work towards an advanced position in the food industry. Your research experience and deep understanding of the science of food will make you a more valuable employee to more prospective employers, whether you are just starting in the industry or you gained experience before enrolling.

Potential careers for graduates include:

• Food formulation scientist: Develop recipes for new products and improve existing products to meet the needs of consumers
• Food safety and compliance specialist: Monitor and maintain food safety standards in government or industry
• Food policy specialist: Work with governments, NGOs and other organisations to advise on the best way to provide healthy food to our local, regional and global communities
• Research scientist: Conduct research to improve food flavour and health benefits.

Take your learning further

If you achieve consistently high grades and want to take your immersion in food science further, you may be able to progress to a graduate research degree following the Master of Food Science.

This could lead to a research or teaching position at a university, in government, at an international organisation or in the food industry.

The University of Melbourne offers two research qualifications in Food Science:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (Agricultural Sciences)
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil) (Agricultural Sciences)

In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed: an undergraduate degree in any discipline with at least an H3 (65%) weighted average, or equivalent.

IELTS (academic English Only): 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
TOEFL Internet-based test: 79 + ; Writing 21; Speaking 18; Reading 13; Listening 13;
Pearson Test of English Academic: 58 + no communicative skill below 50
Cambridge English: Advanced/ Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): 176 + no skill below 169.