Students who complete the new degree will graduate with both a TAFE qualification and a higher education degree.

The first half of the degree, which will be offered from next year, involves students completing a Diploma of Food Science and Technology, building knowledge and practical skills in food testing, quality and sustainability.

The second half of the degree will see students focus on food processing or sustainable food production and gain workplace experience through an industry placement.

Federation University's Pro Vice Chancellor (Vocational Education and Training) and TAFE chief executive Liam Sloan said blended learning mode of the hybrid degree pointed toward the future of higher education.

"We listened to industry partners about what skills and values they needed in employees. With their input, we designed a program that gives our students the best possible chance being work ready as soon as they graduate and pursuing meaningful careers," he said.

"We expect our graduates will drive change and innovation across the food industry. They will gain the knowledge and skills required to feed a growing population, and to do so through in the most ecologically sustainable and financially sound way."

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Local industry is expected to be heavily involved in the course, with students working on local sustainability issues.

Mr Sloan said graduates of the new degree could expect to work in future jobs in food safety, product, research and development, regulatory affairs and quality assurance, and contribute to activities which promote a circular economy.

The hybrid Bachelor of Sustainable Food Systems is the second novel new degree that Fed Uni will offer in 2022. Last month it announced it would be the first in the country to offer degrees in Bachelor of Cognitive Enterprise, which will focus on how technologies such as artificial intelligence, block chain technology (which supports cryptocurrency), automation and 5G can be used to transform and innovate across all areas of business from marketing, IT, management, banking and finance, to social and environmental sciences.

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