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Programmes

Food Science and Safety (NEW)

Higher Diploma inFood Science and Safety (NEW)

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Programme Code

  • HP819 Year 1 & 2, Higher Diploma (HD)

Application Code: HDFSSY

Phone 2975 5881　　Email sss.sze@hkuspace.hku.hk

The field of food science is essential in addressing the challenges of the complex food system which involves all processes from production and processing to distribution and consumption. It requires the collaboration of multiple stakeholders to ensure a safe, nutritious and sustainable food supply.

Food scientists play a crucial role in ensuring a safe and sustainable food supply for a growing global population by integrating diverse concepts from nutrition, microbiology, chemistry and laboratory sciences. One of their primary responsibilities is to safeguard food safety, which is vital for protecting consumers from health issues and preventing financial losses for producers. Without proper food safety management, foodborne diseases and related injuries can have severe consequences. The ongoing need for food science and safety professionals is obvious, with high demand for graduates in quality control, food testing, and product development.

 

Programme Aims and Features

Programme Aims:

The programme aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills in food science and safety to deal with the global challenge of increasing the provision of high quality, safe and healthy food. The programme also aims to develop basic laboratory skills of students so that they can apply the knowledge of food science to different aspects of the food industry such as food processing, food safety, testing, quality assurance, preservation, and product development. It also prepares them to progress to further studies towards a degree in the relevant fields, and enables timely entry into the workforce to meet the growing demand for the food science and testing services.

 

On completion of the programme, students should be able to​:

  • Communicate ideas in a manner appropriate to the circumstance using English and Chinese languages (oral and written) in social and academic contexts;
  • Use quantitative/ numerical skills to solve daily life problems; 
  • Explain the fundamentals of sciences and its application in food processing and human health;
  • Apply the scientific principles of nutrition, food science and food processing to analyse the safety aspects of raw materials and food products;
  • Work in the laboratory effectively to identify the major microorganism and substances in food and implement food safety control measures by conducting appropriate inspection, sanitation and documentation practices; 
  • Apply the knowledge of nutrition, food science, food processing and safety regulations to develop a functional food product.

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Opportunities for Further Studies

UGC-funded Universities

The programme is tailored to cover foundational principles and knowledge in science, food science and food safety that complement the in-depth, research-driven content of advanced courses at the university.

Graduates are eligible to apply for admission to Bachelor’s degree programmes in food science, food safety and technology, analytical sciences for testing and certification or related disciplines offered by local universities.

The list below shows the degree programmes that our graduates may apply for further studies*:

  • The University of Hong Kong
    Bachelor of Science
    Bachelor of Science (Major in Food and Nutritional Science) (Senior Year Entry)
  • The Chinese University of Hong Kong
    Bachelor of Science
    Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences
    Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
    Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biotechnology
  • Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
    Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology
  • The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Food Safety and Technology (Senior Year Entry)
    Bachelor of Science (Hons) Scheme in Food Science and Nutrition
    Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Analytical Sciences for Testing and Certification
    Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Applied Biology with Biotechnology
 

Other Local Institutions

Graduates are also eligible to apply for the below degree programmes offered by other institutions:

  • Hong Kong Metropolitan University
    Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Food Testing Science 
  • HKU SPACE in collaboration with Ulster University, UK
    Bachelor of Science (Hons) Food and Nutrition

*The above list is not exhaustive and only shows some of the examples.

 

Career Prospects 

Students have opportunities to engage in laboratory practical and food industry visits, enhancing their understanding of real-world applications and preparing them for various career paths such as food safety officer, quality control technician, or roles in food product development within the food industry.

  • Obtain Level 2 or above in 5 subjects*§ including English Language and Chinese Language# in the HKDSE Examination; OR
  • Hold a recognised Diploma in Foundation Studies Programme; OR
  • Hold a Diploma of Applied Education / Diploma Yi Jin; OR
  • Equivalent qualifications will be considered by the College.
 
Applicants who have attained Level 2 or above in any one of the following HKDSE subjects — Biology, Chemistry or Technology and Living (Food Science and Technology Strand) — or possess an equivalent qualification will be considered favourably. Those without the relevant subject background will be required to attend a summer intensive course mainly in Chemistry and Biology before programme commencement.

Applicants who do not meet the entry requirements of the 2-year Higher Diploma Programme should apply for admission to the Diploma in Foundation Studies (DFS) programme.
 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Relevant and substantial work experience and / or prior qualifications obtained in or outside Hong Kong (e.g. assessed through recognition of prior learning and credit accumulation and transfer), with demonstrated ability to undertake sub-degree education, will be considered by the College. 

 

Mature Students

Applicants who do not possess the above academic qualifications, but are aged 21 or above and with relevant work experience will be considered on individual merit.

 

*Applicants are allowed to use not more than 2 Applied Learning (ApL) subjects in the application. The recognition of the ApL subjects is as follows: 

“Attained with Distinction (II)” is deemed equivalent to Level 4 or above;
“Attained with Distinction (I)” is deemed equivalent to Level 3; and 
“Attained” is deemed equivalent to Level 2 in the HKDSE Examination.

#ApL Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students) would be accepted as an alternative Chinese Language qualification.

§ If one of the five HKDSE subjects is Citizenship and Social Development, the requirement will be “Attained” for the subject.

Effective from 2026-27 Academic Year:

 

Higher Diploma Year 1

  • Introduction to Academic English
  • English for Academic Purposes I
  • Elementary Statistics
  • Basic Engineering Mathematics
  • Fundamentals of Nutrition
  • Fundamentals of Food Science
  • Human Physiology and Anatomy
  • Cell and Molecular Biology
  • General Chemistry for Biological Sciences
  • Physics for Food Science

 

Higher Diploma Year 2

  • English for Science and Technology
  • English for Academic Purposes II
  • Practical Chinese*
  • Laboratory Skills in Food Science
  • Food Commodities and Processing
  • Basic Biochemistry
  • Food Chemistry and Analysis
  • Food Safety and Management
  • Food Microbiology
  • Functional Foods and Nutritional Products

 

 

Graduation Requirements

To be awarded a Higher Diploma in Food Science and Safety, students should:

  • obtain 60 credits (i.e. 240 QF credits) of courses as prescribed in the Years 1 & 2 curricula of the programme for which they are registered;
  • achieve a Cumulative GPA of 1.7 or above;
  • obtain Grade C- or above in all core English courses; and
  • obtain a pass for the course “CCSA8004 – China’s Development, Hong Kong and the National Security Law”.

 

Award

Successful completion of this programme leads to the "Higher Diploma in Food Science and Safety" awarded within the HKU system through HKU SPACE.

 

The College reserves the right to make modifications to individual courses on a need basis.

* Non-Chinese speaking students or students who have not received sufficient training in the Chinese language may apply for exemption from the Chinese course(s), and alternative courses may be assigned.

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