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With our BSc Food Science with Industrial Training course you will discover how to tackle key issues facing the food industry today and gain an insight into industry with a paid professional training year.
Food science is the study of the quality, safety and nutritional purposes of foods. This course aims to give you the scientific skills and knowledge base needed to understand food processes and meet society's demands for safe and sustainable food products. Our Department has strong links with industry, and you will gain valuable professional experience through a year-long paid training placement.
Furthermore, the University of Reading is a world authority on human nutrition, food chemistry, chemical engineering, microbiology and food law. Our staff are actively engaged in world-class research and will tailor their teaching to reflect changing trends and emerging technologies within the sector.
You will study the fundamental science behind food and nutrition, the processes involved in production, and human physiology. You will also gain experience of using key technical skills through sensory evaluation, laboratory-based practicals and work in our pilot-scale food processing plant. During your final year you will have the chance to put these newly learnt manufacturing skills to the test in our Product Development module. You will be given a brief by industry and work as a team to produce an original product, which you will showcase at an end-of-term trade show.
Graduates of this course are recognised as professional food scientists by the Institute of Food Science and Technology. Additionally, they are often finalists in the National Science, Engineering and Technology awards.
Placement
Between your second and final year you will carry out a paid industrial training placement, lasting a year. Placements can be located anywhere in the UK, and occasionally take place abroad. You can expect to earn between £15,000 and £20,000.
In recent years, students have taken on a variety of roles, including quality assurance, consumer work, food technologists and product development scientists. Some placements take place at large multinational organisations, such as Kraft or Unilever, but you could also choose to work in a small independent manufacturing or research company.
You will be given advice and support on finding the ideal placement, writing your CV, and interview skills by our dedicated placement coordinator.
For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.
For more information, please visit the Food and Nutritional Sciences website.
Overview
Food science is the study of the quality, safety and nutritional purposes of foods. This course aims to give you the scientific skills and knowledge base needed to understand food processes and meet society's demands for safe and sustainable food products. Our Department has strong links with industry, and you will gain valuable professional experience through a year-long paid training placement.
Furthermore, the University of Reading is a world authority on human nutrition, food chemistry, chemical engineering, microbiology and food law. Our staff are actively engaged in world-class research and will tailor their teaching to reflect changing trends and emerging technologies within the sector.
You will study the fundamental science behind food and nutrition, the processes involved in production, and human physiology. You will also gain experience of using key technical skills through sensory evaluation, laboratory-based practicals and work in our pilot-scale food processing plant. During your final year you will have the chance to put these newly learnt manufacturing skills to the test in our Product Development module. You will be given a brief by industry and work as a team to produce an original product, which you will showcase at an end-of-term trade show.
Graduates of this course are recognised as professional food scientists by the Institute of Food Science and Technology. Additionally, they are often finalists in the National Science, Engineering and Technology awards.
Placement
Between your second and final year you will carry out a paid industrial training placement, lasting a year. Placements can be located anywhere in the UK, and occasionally take place abroad. You can expect to earn between £15,000 and £20,000.
In recent years, students have taken on a variety of roles, including quality assurance, consumer work, food technologists and product development scientists. Some placements take place at large multinational organisations, such as Kraft or Unilever, but you could also choose to work in a small independent manufacturing or research company.
You will be given advice and support on finding the ideal placement, writing your CV, and interview skills by our dedicated placement coordinator.
For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.
For more information, please visit the Food and Nutritional Sciences website.
Entry requirements A Level ABB | IB 32 points overall
Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we will guarantee you a place if you achieve one grade lower than the published offer.
Typical offer
ABB, including two science subjects (including at least one of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths)
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall including at least 5,5 in two core science subjects (as listed above) at higher level
Extended Project Qualification
In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.
BTEC Extended Diploma
DDM (modules taken must be comparable to A level subjects specified)
Other information
Subject to relevant work experience, we may accept just one core science and one non-core science
Acceptable non-core subjects: Food Technology, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Home Economics
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5
For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.
Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students
For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.
International Foundation Programme
If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.
Pre-sessional English language programme
If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
FB1PN | Introduction to Human Physiology and Nutrition | PROF Jeremy Spencer |
FB1MB1 | Introduction to Food Microbiology | PROF Dimitris Charalampopoulos |
FB1EP2 | Introduction to Food Processing and Engineering | DR Colette Catherine Fagan |
FB1BFN | Fundamental Biochemistry in Food and Nutrition | DR Anisha Wijeyesekera |
FB1AG2 | Farm to Fork | DR Emma Bennett |
BI1S1 | Introductory Microbiology | DR Geraldine Mulley |
CH1FC3 | Molecular Studies for the Life Sciences | DR David Nutt |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
CH1FC1 | Fundamental Concepts in Chemistry 1 | DR David Nutt |
CL1G1 | Ancient Greek 1 | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL1L1 | Latin 1 (C) | MRS Jackie Baines |
AP1EE3 | Economics 1 | PROF Elizabeth Robinson |
AP1EM1 | Introduction to Marketing | MS Sandra Preciado |
AP1SB1 | Introduction to Management | DR Yiorgos Gadanakis |
EC110 | The Economics of Climate Change | DR Stefania Lovo |
EC118 | Economy, Politics and Culture in the Roman World | PROF Ken Dark |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
FB2PYB | Industrial Training Year | DR Emma Bennett |
FB2C30 | Composition, Properties and Analysis of Foods | PROF Richard Frazier |
FB2PYA | Industrial Training Preparation | DR Emma Bennett |
FB2NS | Nutritional Science | DR Charlotte Mills |
FB2MF2 | Microbiological Hazards in Foods | DR Marie Lewis |
FB2MF1 | Microbiology of food spoilage and preservation | DR Kimon-Andreas Karatzas |
FB2EFP | Food Processing | DR Julia Rodriguez-Garcia |
FB2FQS | Food Quality and Sensory Science | DR Stella Lignou |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
ML2STA | Society, Thought, and Art in Modern Europe | DR Athena Leoussi |
ML2UNR | Unity, Nationalism and Regionalism in Europe | DR Athena Leoussi |
MM270 | Practice of Entrepreneurship | DR Norbert Morawetz |
ML2GF | Science, perversion, and dream in global fantastic literature | DR Daniela La Penna |
LS2LNM | Language and New Media | PROF Rodney Jones |
LS2LAT | Introduction to English Language Teaching | MRS Suzanne Portch |
FB2SEN | Sports and Exercise Nutrition | PROF Jeremy Spencer |
FB2IFC | Issues in Food Choice | PROF Lisa Methven |
FB2EPR | Process Engineering Principles | PROF Keshavan Niranjan |
CL2CGH | Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander | PROF Timothy Duff |
AR2F17 | Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Analysis | PROF Mary Lewis |
AR2M8 | Medieval Europe: power, religion and death | DR Gabor Thomas |
AP2EM2 | Food Retailing | MR Nick Beard |
CL2RO | Roman History: From Republic to Empire | PROF Annalisa Marzano |
CL2DR | Ancient Drama | PROF Barbara Goff |
PO2THI | Political Thinking | DR Alice Baderin |
PO2PWS | Politics of the Welfare State | DR Brandon Beomseob Park |
PO2MIR | Modern International Relations | DR Joseph O' Mahoney |
MT2CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PP2OID1 | Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy 1 | MR George Mason |
PP2MM1 | Meaning and the Mind 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2IDR1 | Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2GP1 | Global Philosophy 1 | DR Shalini Sinha |
PP2HKW1 | Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein 1 | DR Severin Schroeder |
PP2EA1 | Ethical Argument 1: Philosophy and How to Live | DR Luke Elson |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
FB3AFC | Advanced Food Chemistry | DR Maria Oruna-Concha |
FB3AFQ | Advanced Food Quality, Safety and Sensory | DR Nikos Mavroudis |
FB3FPD | Food Product Development | DR Maria Oruna-Concha |
FB3PFB | Research Project | PROF Gunter Kuhnle |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
ML3IC | Identity and Conflict in Modern Europe | DR Athena Leoussi |
ML3LP | Language and Power | DR Federico Faloppa |
MM302 | Entrepreneurial Project | MR Keith Heron |
LW3CRY | Criminology | PROF Paul Almond |
LS3IC | Intercultural Communications | DR Erhan Aslan |
GV3ESM | Ecosystems Modelling | DR Shovonlal Roy |
GV3TRC | Tropical Rainforests, Climate & Lost Civilisations | PROF Frank Mayle |
GV3CC | Climate Change | DR Maria Shahgedanova |
FB3GSA | Consumer Attitudes to Food Quality | PROF Lisa Methven |
FB3NGL | Genes, Lifestyle and Nutrition (Part taught with FBMNH2) | DR Vimal Karani |
FB3SFP | Sustainable Food Processing | DR Afroditi Chatzifragkou |
FB3NHD | Nutrition, Health and Disease (Part taught with FBMNH1) | PROF Julie Lovegrove |
BI3BI8 | Neurobiology | DR Nandini Vasudevan |
BI3EF7 | Urban Ecology | DR Phil Baker |
PO3FPT | Feminism and Political Theory | PROF David Marshall |
PO3USF | US Foreign and Defence Policy since 1950 | DR Graham O'Dwyer |
PO3IPE | International Political Economy | DR Jonathan Golub |
MM392 | Entrepreneurial Management Venture Project | DR Lebene Soga |
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250* per year
New international students: £20,830 per year
* UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes
UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
EU student fees
With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.
Additional costs
Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK and other EU countries may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
* UK and EU Fee Changes
Subject to the Government passing legislation to raise the minimum fee cap, we will raise undergraduate tuition fees from £9,000 to £9,250 for new UK/EU students applying to start courses in the 2017/18 academic year. You will not be affected by this rise if you have deferred entry to the 2017/18 academic year. The Government will confirm future arrangements for EU students in due course.
The tuition fee will remain £9,000 per year for the full duration of this course if you start in the 2016/17 academic year or have accepted an offer but deferred your entry until the 2017/18 academic year. This is unlike other institutions who are planning to raise fees midway through courses.
For further information, please see our webpage on the Teaching Excellence Framework and future tuition fees.
Additional costs
These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK and other EU countries may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
Careers
Food is Europe's largest and most buoyant industry, and there is a constant demand for graduates with knowledge of technical skills and ways to tackle the latest consumer issues.
As a graduate of this course, you will be recognised as a professional food scientist by the Institute of Food Science and Technology. Our graduates embark on careers within the food industry or a related sector, working for companies such as PepsiCo, Mondelēz, Nestlé, Marks & Spencer, Mars, Unilever and McCormick.
Additionally, you may decide to move into another areas, such as teaching, accountancy and environmental health. Our degrees are also a stepping stone to MSc or PhD study.