Overview
The BCIT Food Technology Diploma program trains students to work in the dynamic food processing industry. Our industry-leading instructors train you in food analysis, quality control, food preservation, product development, food microbiology and food safety. Graduate with all the practical skills you need to start your career.
About the program
At BCIT, we believe in real life experience. In this program, you get to interact first-hand with industry sponsors who mentor and support students in getting relevant food technology skills.
- Two-year on-campus diploma program with practical lectures, labs and field trips
- Collaborate with industry and investigate a problem of concern in a 9-month research project
- Innovate and develop a new food product in a product development capstone project
- Small class size provides you with individual support
Find out more about BCIT’s Food Technology diploma by visiting Program Details.
Who it’s for
This program is for individuals who:
- Enjoy working both individually and in a team environment
- Have a passion for food, science and the food industry
- Are interested in developing their critical thinking skills
- Have a high school diploma or higher level of education
Sound like you? See Entrance Requirements for details on what you need and how to apply.
What grads can do
BCIT grads are set up to enter a career in food technology the moment they graduate. They can also keep studying to further advance their career. See Graduating and Jobs to find out about the possibilities.
- Next up Entrance Requirements
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Open to applications beginning October 1st (or next business day).
To be considered under this admission category, applicants must:
- Self-identify as an Indigenous person of Canada on the admission application.
- Have successfully completed the program’s entrance requirements.
Entrance requirements
Applicants must meet all entrance requirements and will be accepted on a first qualified basis as long as space remains.
- English language proficiency: Category 2 – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent
- Math: one of the following:
- Pre-Calculus 12 (67%) or
- Foundations of Math 12 (73%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses
- Chemistry 11 (67%)
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Students enrolled in this program must complete the mandatory work component to qualify for graduation. A co-op work permit is required prior to starting the work component.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
September each year.
Technology entry
The Technology Entry (TE) program is a full-time, day school program which provides academic upgrading to students wishing to enroll in Computing, Engineering, Electronic, and Health Sciences programs at BCIT.
The TE program provides courses in chemistry, communication, mathematics, and physics that meet program prerequisites for selected programs at BCIT. The TE program also includes an introductory course in computer applications and a learning skills course. The program is supportive to those who require English-language training.
myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT email addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We will send you an email when a new message is posted. It is important to watch for these emails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
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- Next up Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement
Conditions
You may be eligible to apply to an advanced level of the program through either re-admission or direct entry. Please note that applications are considered based on:
- Complete applications: you must show proof that you have completed (or are registered in) all requirements to be considered.
- Competitive entry: if the number of applicants exceeds available seats, BCIT will accept those deemed to have the best opportunity for success.
- Seat availability: confirmation may not be available until approximately one week before the term begins.
Re-admission
You can apply for re-admission if you:
- were previously admitted to this program and completed part of it at BCIT and
- want to re-enter the program at an advanced level.
Submit the Course-by-Course Self-Assessment Form [PDF] with your application.
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Ready to submit your application? Apply now.
Direct entry
You can apply for direct entry if you:
- are a new applicant to this program but already completed an equivalent part of it at BCIT or elsewhere and
- want to apply to an advanced level.
BCIT accepts complete applications starting:
- February 1st* for level 2 (January start)
- October 1st* for level 3 (September start)
*or next business day
Submit the following with your online application:
- Proof of meeting all general entrance requirements
- Course-by-Course Self-Assessment Form [PDF] showing that you have completed (or are registered in) all courses in the preceding level(s) (or equivalents)
- Official transcripts* and course outlines for all previous education
- Resume, outlining previous education and work experience
*Applicants who completed post-secondary studies outside of Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand will require a comprehensive evaluation of their credentials by the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES). Credential evaluation reports from other Canadian services may be considered. These reports must include course-by-course evaluations and GPA calculations.
Ready to submit your application? Apply now.
Direct entry FAQs
- When should I apply?
- What if I don’t receive credit for all courses in the preceding term?
- Can I appeal the assessment of equivalency?
- What will happen if I cannot complete all required courses before the term starts?
- When will I be accepted?
- What do I do if I have already completed a level 2 or 3 course?
- When will I get my timetable?
- When can I buy my books?
- It is recommended that you apply when you have met all of the entrance requirements. If you are currently registered in a course(s), please indicate this on the self-assessment form.
- The program may suggest BCIT flexible learning (part-time studies) courses that need to be completed prior to term start. In some circumstances, the program may identify courses that can be taken concurrently. Most students are required to make up one or more courses.
- You may appeal in writing. Be prepared to supply addition information or clarification to your original submission. You have 10 days to accept or appeal (in writing) the ‘Second Assessment’ that you receive by email.
- All courses must be completed prior to term start unless the program has identified a course that can be taken concurrently or that can be deferred until a later term.
- Once your application has been assessed and has been approved for direct entry, a seat must become available in the program you have selected. The Admissions department must wait until the current students obtain their final grades in either December or May to determine how many seats will become available for direct entry applicants.
- If you have already completed a course either at another institution or through flexible learning (part-time studies) at BCIT, you must apply for course credit/exemption as soon as you have been accepted to the program. You should attend classes until you receive formal written notice that you have been granted course credit. Please note that this will not reduce your tuition fees.
- Print your timetable one day prior to class start by logging into my.bcit.ca and going to Student Self-Service. You must be registered in your courses in order to access this feature.
- It is recommended that you wait until the first week of classes before buying textbooks. Your instructors will tell you which books to buy.
To register for a Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) course, visit Register for Flexible Learning courses or contact Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Still have questions? Review the Admissions FAQ or contact Program Advising.
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- Next up Costs & Supplies
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Use our tuition estimator to find tuition and fees for this program.
For more information on full-time tuition and fees, visit:
Books & supplies
Level 1: $1,124; Level 2: $741; Level 3: $735; Level 4: $511
(general estimated cost, subject to change)
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
- Go back Advanced Placement
- Next up Courses
Courses
Program matrix
Level 1 (15 weeks) | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
CHEM 1103 | Chemistry 1 for Food Technology | 6.0 | |
COMM 1144 | Communication 1 for Food Technology | 3.0 | |
FOOD 1120 | Food Microbiology 1 | 5.0 | |
FOOD 1155 | Introduction to Food Safety | 5.0 | |
FOOD 1195 | Introduction to Food Technology | 5.0 | |
MATH 1441 | Technical Mathematics for Food Technology | 5.0 | |
Level 2 (20 weeks) | Credits | ||
CHEM 2203 | Chemistry 2 for Food Technology | 6.5 | |
COMM 2244 | Communication 2 for Food Technology | 4.0 | |
FOOD 2110 | Food Processing 1 | 6.5 | |
FOOD 2120 | Food Microbiology 2 | 8.0 | |
MATH 2441 | Statistics for Food Technology | 6.5 | |
PHYS 2112 | Physics for Food Technology | 5.5 | |
Level 3 (15 weeks) | Credits | ||
FOOD 3110 | Food Processing 2 | 5.0 | |
FOOD 3130 | Quality Control 1 | 4.0 | |
FOOD 3140 | Food Analysis 1 | 5.0 | |
FOOD 3190 | Research Methods | 3.0 | |
MATH 3441 | Advanced Statistical Methods/Computer Skills For Food Technology | 3.0 | |
OPMT 1343 | Operations Management 1 | 3.0 | |
Level 4 (20 weeks) | Credits | ||
BUSA 1102 | Management for Food Technology | 2.5 | |
COMM 3444 | Communication 3 for Food Technology | 2.5 | |
FOOD 4110 | Food Processing 3 | 6.5 | |
FOOD 4130 | Quality Control 2* | 3.5 | |
FOOD 4140 | Food Analysis 2* | 3.5 | |
FOOD 4150 | Product Development* | 5.5 | |
FOOD 4395 | Directed Studies for Food Technology (Practicum) | 9.5 | |
* denotes a half-term course | |||
Total Credits: | 122.5 |
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
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- Next up Program Details
Program Details
Program length
Two years, full-time
Program delivery
In person: This program is delivered on campus.
Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Continue your education
Food Technology graduates wishing to obtain a Bachelor of Technology may receive two years of credit toward the BCIT Environmental Public Health program, leading toward a career in public/environmental health services. Graduates wanting a degree in food science from the University of British Columbia (UBC) are assessed on an individual basis by UBC.
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- Next up Graduating & Jobs
Graduating & Jobs
Our grads get work
Most of our grads get work withing two months of graduation. The food industry in British Columbia is composed of both big industry to start up entrepreneurs. BCIT grads are working to support safe food production and may be in employed in a variety of jobs such as: quality control technician, quality assurance manager, regulatory supervisor, product developer or employment at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Keep learning
Grads can choose to apply to other bachelor’s degree programs in a variety of fields including Environmental Public Health and Bachelor of Business Administration.
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2021-2023 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2020-2022 graduates and for Degree 2019-2021 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
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- Next up Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Erin Friesen, PhD
Program Head
Rebecca Robertson, MSc
Instructor
Miriam O’Donovan, MSc
Instructor
Ken Keilbart, Dipl
Assistant Instructor
Melinda Lee
Technical Staff Dipl III
Advisory committee
The Food Technology Program advisory committee is made up of individuals from the Food industry. These individuals provide feedback on industry trends, curriculum changes, and help ensure programs are relevant to industry needs.
If you are a Food industry professional and would like to participate on this committee, please contact Erin Friesen.
- Go back Graduating & Jobs
- Next up Directed Studies for Food Tech
Directed Studies for Food Tech
Every year we look for directed studies projects.
Background
As a graduation requirement, second year BCIT Food Technology Students work with industry on a project. Past projects have included: In plant sanitation checks, shelf life studies, review/development of Food Safety Plans/SOPs, analysis of different formulations/competitors, new product development etc..
The students select their projects in September and will spend the next 3 months developing their methodology. From January to the middle of April they will work on this project one day per week (Wednesdays) and in May they will produce both a written and Oral report that will be delivered to industry. Work can be done at your company facility or at BCIT depending on the objectives of the project.
Requirement of Sponsors
Sponsors are asked to submit a brief description of the project using this DIRECTED STUDIES FOR FOOD TECHNOLOGY [PDF] application form and be available to discuss the project with students on a semi-regular basis (by phone, e-mail or zoom). We also ask that sponsors attend the presentation in May, likely via Zoom, and submit a brief student evaluation form.
A standard BCIT confidentiality form will be signed by the students and faculty.
Next Steps
If you are interested in submitting a project, please download and complete the DIRECTED STUDIES FOR FOOD TECHNOLOGY [PDF] submission form.
Thank you and look forward to working with you!
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