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BSc FOOD SCIENCE

  • UCAS code
    D610
  • Typical offer
    ABB
  • Year of entry
    2022/23
    See 2021/22 entry
  • Course duration
     3 years
  • Year of entry
    2022/23
    See 2021/22 entry
  • Course duration
     3 years
View all

COVID-19 update


Find out how we're adapting during COVID-19.

Develop the expertise to meet society's demand for safe and sustainable food products with our accredited BSc Food Science degree.

Led by experts from the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, this three-year course will equip you with a full understanding of food production processes.

You'll gain essential knowledge and skills in:

  • food microbiology
  • biochemistry and metabolism
  • food processing and engineering
  • product development
  • human physiology and nutrition.

At Reading, you'll also develop key technical skills through laboratory-based practicals, sensory evaluation, and work in our pilot-scale food processing plant.

Become a food science specialist at the University of Reading

  • Top ten UK university for Food Science (joint 5th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021).
  • 85% of our research impact is rated outstanding (Research Excellence Framework 2014).
  • Our food science graduates have the second-highest median salary of such graduates six months after graduation (The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019, based on analysis of 2017 graduate salaries).

Professional accreditation

Our BSc Food Science course is accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), the industry’s leading professional body.

Accreditation provides an assurance that your degree meets the standards expected by the food industry, helping you to stand out in a competitive job market. You'll also be recognised as a professional food scientist by the Institute of Food Science and Technology.

Teaching and research facilities

The University of Reading has one of the UK's largest Food and Nutritional Sciences departments, with extensive facilities that enable us to engage in diverse teaching and research.

  • The Food Processing Centre is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the UK, with a floor space of 1100 square metres. The Centre contains processing equipment for food product development work, allowing you to simulate and recreate industry conditions.
  • The Flavour Centre analyses the chemistry of flavour, which is crucial to developing successful new products.
  • The Sensory Science Centre provides high-quality sensory evaluation data, offering valuable insight into how we perceive flavour, taste and texture in food.
  • The Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition explores the relationship between diet and the risk of chronic disease.

Our research expertise feeds directly into the topics you will study throughout your degree, giving you access to the latest developments in food science.

Depending on the modules you choose, you will also have the opportunity to use our versatile facilities in your studies.

Industrial placements with BSc Food Science

Enhance your employability and build your network by applying for work placements during your degree. Opportunities include year-long and summer placements.

Previous students from the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences have undertaken placements with:

  • Mars Food
  • Graze
  • Marks & Spencer
  • Bakkavor.

Learn more about professional placements with the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences.

Alternatively, you can opt for our four-year BSc Food Science with Industrial Training degree, which includes an integrated professional placement between your second and third year.

Study Abroad

As part of your degree, you can apply to study for a year abroad at one of our partner universities in Australia, Canada, the USA, or across Europe.

Visit our Study Abroad website for more information.

Overview

Develop the expertise to meet society's demand for safe and sustainable food products with our accredited BSc Food Science degree.

Led by experts from the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, this three-year course will equip you with a full understanding of food production processes.

You'll gain essential knowledge and skills in:

  • food microbiology
  • biochemistry and metabolism
  • food processing and engineering
  • product development
  • human physiology and nutrition.

At Reading, you'll also develop key technical skills through laboratory-based practicals, sensory evaluation, and work in our pilot-scale food processing plant.

Become a food science specialist at the University of Reading

  • Top ten UK university for Food Science (joint 5th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021).
  • 85% of our research impact is rated outstanding (Research Excellence Framework 2014).
  • Our food science graduates have the second-highest median salary of such graduates six months after graduation (The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019, based on analysis of 2017 graduate salaries).

Professional accreditation

Our BSc Food Science course is accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), the industry’s leading professional body.

Accreditation provides an assurance that your degree meets the standards expected by the food industry, helping you to stand out in a competitive job market. You'll also be recognised as a professional food scientist by the Institute of Food Science and Technology.

Learning

Teaching and research facilities

The University of Reading has one of the UK's largest Food and Nutritional Sciences departments, with extensive facilities that enable us to engage in diverse teaching and research.

  • The Food Processing Centre is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the UK, with a floor space of 1100 square metres. The Centre contains processing equipment for food product development work, allowing you to simulate and recreate industry conditions.
  • The Flavour Centre analyses the chemistry of flavour, which is crucial to developing successful new products.
  • The Sensory Science Centre provides high-quality sensory evaluation data, offering valuable insight into how we perceive flavour, taste and texture in food.
  • The Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition explores the relationship between diet and the risk of chronic disease.

Our research expertise feeds directly into the topics you will study throughout your degree, giving you access to the latest developments in food science.

Depending on the modules you choose, you will also have the opportunity to use our versatile facilities in your studies.

Industrial placements with BSc Food Science

Enhance your employability and build your network by applying for work placements during your degree. Opportunities include year-long and summer placements.

Previous students from the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences have undertaken placements with:

  • Mars Food
  • Graze
  • Marks & Spencer
  • Bakkavor.

Learn more about professional placements with the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences.

Alternatively, you can opt for our four-year BSc Food Science with Industrial Training degree, which includes an integrated professional placement between your second and third year.

Study Abroad

As part of your degree, you can apply to study for a year abroad at one of our partner universities in Australia, Canada, the USA, or across Europe.

Visit our Study Abroad website for more information.

Entry requirements A Level ABB | IB 32 pts overall

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Typical offer

ABB including two core science subjects (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

DDD-DDM in relevant subjects 

Other information

Subject to relevant work experience, we may accept just one core science and one non-core science

Acceptable non-core science 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.

  • Learn more about our International Foundation programme

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.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Core modules include:

  • Biochemistry and metabolism
  • Farm to fork
  • Introduction to food microbiology
  • Introduction to food processing and engineering
  • Introduction to human physiology and nutrition
  • Introductory microbiology
  • Molecular studies for the life sciences
  • The living cell

Optional modules include:

  • Economics 1
  • Fundamental concepts in chemistry 1
  • Introduction to management
  • Introduction to marketing
  • Introduction to neuroscience
  • Perception
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Biochemistry and enzymology
  • Composition and properties of foods
  • Food processing
  • Fundamentals of human nutrition
  • Industrial training preparation
  • Microbiological hazards in foods
  • Microbiology of food spoilage and preservation
  • Selected topics in food and toxicology

Optional modules include:

  • Basic food product development
  • English for science
  • IWLP language module (details unspecified)
  • Introduction to management
  • Introduction to marketing
  • Perception
  • Practice of entrepreneurship
  • Sports and exercise nutrition
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Diet and disease
  • Food product development
  • Food quality assurance and safety
  • Research methods for food and nutritional sciences
  • Research project
  • Selected topics in food chemistry
  • Sensory evaluation of food

Optional modules include:

  • Bioavailability, diet and gut health
  • Genes, lifestyle and nutrition
  • Bioprocess systems (economic manufacturing)
  • Consumer attitudes to food quality
  • IWLP language module (details unspecified)
  • Practice of entrepreneurship
  • Special topics in food and toxicology
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250* per year

New international students: £23,700 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 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

95% of our graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2017/18; based on first degree responders from Food and Nutritional sciences).

Your degree will provide the essential subject-specific and transferable skills required in the food industry. Our graduates typically find employment in food product development, quality management, food technology, and nutritional science.

Recent graduates from the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences have gone on to work for:

  • Bakkavor
  • Douwe Egberts
  • Ferndale Foods
  • Innocent Drinks.

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

Take the next step


How to apply

Come to an Open Day

Get a prospectus

Ask us a question

Chat to our students

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More
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Undergraduates
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Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

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