Food Science is the study of the physical, biological and chemical composition of food.

The field of food science is to integrate scientific knowledge in the development of food products. This is important to ensure that food innovations are always healthy and safe for mass human consumption.

Studying food science will teach you the different food processing methods used when creating new products, including how various foods should be harvested, prepared, preserved and packaged.

To pursue a Degree in Food Science, the typical entry requirements are:

• A-Level: Minimum 2Es in 2 science subjects including Chemistry; or
• STPM: Minimum 2Cs in 2 science subjects including Chemistry; or
• Australian Matriculation: Minimum ATAR of 70 and at least a B in 2 science subjects, including Chemistry; or
• Foundation in Science: Minimum CGPA of 2.00, including Chemistry and 1 science subject; or
• Diploma: Minimum CGPA of 2.00, including Chemistry and 1 science subject

In addition to that, you will also need a minimum of 5 credits in SPM, with Cs in 3 of the following subjects: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics, English.

That said, the entry requirements may vary depending on the university, so be sure to do your research!

To pursue a Degree in Food Science, you need to have an SPM qualification or equivalent and a Pre-U qualification. You must also meet the minimum entry requirements of the university.

A Degree in Food Science is usually 3 years long.

Upon the completion of your SPM or equivalent qualification, you can opt to enrol into a pre-university (STPM, A-Level, etc.) or Foundation in Science programme. Alternatively, you can also choose to pursue a Diploma in Food Science.

Completing a pre-university or foundation programme will enable you to proceed to a Food Science Degree.

Once you complete a Degree in Food Science, you can consider the following job options:

• Food scientist
• Food technologist
• Food product / process development specialist
• Food safety inspector
• Flavour chemist

Different students may have different preferences when it comes to choosing the right university. Here are some questions to consider when making a decision.

• Is the institution’s Degree in Food Science accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA)?
• Do you understand the fees of the course, and are the costs affordable to you?
• Are you comfortable with the location of the university?
• Have you visited the campus, and do you like the campus environment and facilities?
• What support services does the institution have to help you in and beyond university?

If you’re not sure if studying a Degree in Food Science is right for you, here are some articles that may help you:

• The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best College Programme (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)
• 5 Practical Tips When Applying for College

You can also explore our list of course guides to see if other degrees speak louder to you.

Not sure if you should study Diploma, A-Level, Foundation in Science, or some other Pre-University course to get a Food Science Degree? Take our Course Recommender Quiz and get a recommendation in 3 minutes!