Food Technologist
Develop and test food products and keep manufacturing safe and legal.
What the job involves
- Develop new food and beverage products.
- Run quality and food-safety testing in factories.
- Make sure labelling and hygiene meet South African law.
School subjects you need
Pure Mathematics required. If you take Mathematical Literacy in Grade 10, this career is normally closed to you at degree level.
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- English
- Consumer Studies
Marks you normally need
- Minimum NSC pass
- Bachelor's pass for BSc; Diploma pass for a food technology diploma
- Indicative APS
- Roughly 24–32
- Subject percentages institutions look for
- Mathematics: 50%+
- Physical Sciences: 50%+
These are indicative ranges for guidance only. Every university, university of technology and TVET college sets its own admission requirements — check the current prospectus of the institution you are applying to.
Study routes
- BSc Food Science4 years
Product development and research roles.
- National Diploma in Food Technology3 years
Includes in-service training in a factory.
What you could earn
- Entry level
- R20 000 – R30 000 per month
- Mid-career
- R35 000 – R55 000 per month
- Senior
- R65 000 – R100 000 per month
Indicative gross monthly ranges from public South African salary sources. They vary by employer, province and experience, and are not guarantees. Compare all careers.
Where you can study this
Public institutions that commonly offer this field. Confirm the exact programme, its minimum APS and the closing date on the institution's own admissions page.
- University of Cape TownUCT · Cape Town
- University of the WitwatersrandWits · Johannesburg
- Stellenbosch UniversitySU · Stellenbosch
- University of PretoriaUP · Pretoria
- University of KwaZulu-NatalUKZN · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- North-West UniversityNWU · Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark
- University of the Free StateUFS · Bloemfontein
- University of the Western CapeUWC · Bellville, Cape Town
- Rhodes UniversityRhodes · Makhanda
- Nelson Mandela UniversityNMU · Gqeberha
- University of Fort HareUFH · Alice and East London
- University of LimpopoUL · Mankweng, Polokwane
- University of VendaUniven · Thohoyandou
- University of ZululandUniZulu · KwaDlangezwa, Richards Bay
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversitySMU · Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria
- Sol Plaatje UniversitySPU · Kimberley
- University of MpumalangaUMP · Mbombela and Siyabuswa
- University of South AfricaUnisa · Distance learning, head office in Pretoria
- Vaal University of TechnologyVUT · Vanderbijlpark
- Mangosuthu University of TechnologyMUT · Umlazi, Durban
Official sources
Questions learners ask
Isifinyezo / Opsomming
isiZulu: Wenza futhi ahlole imikhiqizo yokudla ukuze iphephe.
Afrikaans: Ontwikkel en toets voedselprodukte en voedselveiligheid.