BSc Nutrition with Food Consumer Sciences with Professional Training
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UCAS code
B4DP -
Typical offer
ABB -
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
-
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
On BSc Nutrition with Food Consumer Sciences with Professional Training you will learn about nutrition and the psychology behind food choice and further your professional skills with a year-long training placement.
Consumers are growing increasingly aware of the effects that diet can have on health, and nutritionists play an important role in ensuring that the information available to them is scientifically sound. They help to ensure that food products are nutritionally beneficial and analyse consumer responses to them.
Our course blends nutritional sciences with training in the psychological aspects of cognition and consumer choices. The Department has strong links with industry, and you can gain valuable professional experience through a year-long paid training placement. If you are interested in working at the interface between companies, health professionals, policy-makers and consumers, then this is the degree for you.
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.
During the first year you will study the fundamentals of human nutrition, food chemistry, food microbiology, cell biology, genetics, human physiology, and psychology. You will then be able to build upon your knowledge by exploring areas such as public health nutrition, the psychology of food choice, consumer behaviour and marketing, and new product development.
You will also gain experience of using key technical skills through sensory evaluation, laboratory-based practicals and working in our pilot-scale food processing plant. During your final year you will carry out an original project as part of one of our existing research groups, enabling you to work alongside world authorities in areas such as food and human health.
The curriculum is accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN), and after graduating you will be eligible to apply to become a registered associate nutritionist with the AfN via the direct entry pathway, providing a clear and respected marker of your status as a nutrition professional. This course is also accredited by the Institute of Food Science & Technology.
Placement
Our courses are designed in collaboration with industry partners who support us through our Industry Advisory Board and provide a wide range of work placements for our students.
Our four-year courses give you the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience through year-long paid training placements, in the UK or overseas, where you can expect to earn between £15,000 and £20,000. Students have taken on a variety of roles, including quality assurance, consumer work, food technologists and product development scientists.
You can choose to carry out your placement at a large multinational organisation or 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
On BSc Nutrition with Food Consumer Sciences with Professional Training you will learn about nutrition and the psychology behind food choice and further your professional skills with a year-long training placement.
Consumers are growing increasingly aware of the effects that diet can have on health, and nutritionists play an important role in ensuring that the information available to them is scientifically sound. They help to ensure that food products are nutritionally beneficial and analyse consumer responses to them.
Our course blends nutritional sciences with training in the psychological aspects of cognition and consumer choices. The Department has strong links with industry, and you can gain valuable professional experience through a year-long paid training placement. If you are interested in working at the interface between companies, health professionals, policy-makers and consumers, then this is the degree for you.
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.
During the first year you will study the fundamentals of human nutrition, food chemistry, food microbiology, cell biology, genetics, human physiology, and psychology. You will then be able to build upon your knowledge by exploring areas such as public health nutrition, the psychology of food choice, consumer behaviour and marketing, and new product development.
You will also gain experience of using key technical skills through sensory evaluation, laboratory-based practicals and working in our pilot-scale food processing plant. During your final year you will carry out an original project as part of one of our existing research groups, enabling you to work alongside world authorities in areas such as food and human health.
The curriculum is accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN), and after graduating you will be eligible to apply to become a registered associate nutritionist with the AfN via the direct entry pathway, providing a clear and respected marker of your status as a nutrition professional. This course is also accredited by the Institute of Food Science & Technology.
Placement
Our courses are designed in collaboration with industry partners who support us through our Industry Advisory Board and provide a wide range of work placements for our students.
Our four-year courses give you the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience through year-long paid training placements, in the UK or overseas, where you can expect to earn between £15,000 and £20,000. Students have taken on a variety of roles, including quality assurance, consumer work, food technologists and product development scientists.
You can choose to carry out your placement at a large multinational organisation or 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
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 a grade B in one core A level science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics). Psychology at AS level is advantageous but not essential.
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall including a 5 in one core science (see list 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)
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with no component below 6.0.
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 |
---|---|---|
BI1S1 | Introductory Microbiology | DR Geraldine Mulley |
CH1FC3 | Molecular Studies for the Life Sciences | DR Silvia Baldanza |
FB1AG2 | Farm to Fork | DR Emma Bennett |
FB1BFN | Fundamental Biochemistry in Food and Nutrition | DR Anisha Wijeyesekera |
FB1MB1 | Introduction to Food Microbiology | PROF Dimitris Charalampopoulos |
FB1PN | Introduction to Human Physiology and Nutrition | PROF Jeremy Spencer |
PY1IPY | Introduction to Psychology | DR Katie Barfoot |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AP1EM1 | Introduction to Marketing | MR Nick Walker |
AP1SB1 | Introduction to Management | PROF Julian Park |
CH1FC1 | Fundamental Concepts in Chemistry 1 | DR Silvia Baldanza |
CL1G1 | Ancient Greek 1 | PROF Amy Smith |
CL1L1 | Latin 1 (C) | MRS Jackie Baines |
EC110 | The Economics of Climate Change | DR Stefania Lovo |
TY1WTF | What the font? Making and using typefaces | DR Rob Banham |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AP2EM6 | Food Retail Marketing | DR Giuseppe Nocella |
FB2FQS | Food Quality and Sensory Science | DR Stella Lignou |
FB2IFC | Issues in Food Choice | PROF Lisa Methven |
FB2MF2 | Microbiological Hazards in Foods | DR Marie Lewis |
FB2NED | Nutritional Epidemiology and Dietary Assessment | PROF Gunter Kuhnle |
FB2NS | Nutritional Science | DR Charlotte Mills |
FB2PUB2 | Public Health Nutrition | DR Miriam Clegg |
FB2PYA | Industrial Training Preparation | DR Emma Bennett |
FB2SEN | Sports and Exercise Nutrition | PROF Jeremy Spencer |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AP2A67 | Animal Nutrition | DR Einar Vargas Bello Pérez |
FB2C10 | Chemistry of Food Components | PROF Richard Frazier |
FB2C20 | Composition and Properties of Foods | PROF Richard Frazier |
AR2F17 | Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Analysis | PROF Mary Lewis |
AR2M8 | Medieval Europe: power, religion and death | DR Gabor Thomas |
CL2AE | Ancient Epic | DR Christa Gray |
CL2CGH | Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander | DR Emma Aston |
CL2DR | Ancient Drama | PROF Barbara Goff |
CL2RO | Roman History: From Republic to Empire | PROF Annalisa Marzano |
ED2TS1 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 1 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
FT2WD | Wildlife Documentary: Ecology and Representation | DR Adam O'Brien |
IL2GICC | Intercultural Competence and Communication | MRS Daniela Standen |
IL2GMB | Modern Britain Society, History and Politics | MRS Daniela Standen |
LS2LAT | Introduction to English Language Teaching | MRS Suzanne Portch |
LS2LNM | Language and New Media | PROF Rodney Jones |
ML2GF | Science, perversion, and dream in global fantastic literature | DR Alice Christensen |
ML2STA | Society, Thought, and Art in Modern Europe | DR Veronica Heath |
MM2101 | Founder Dilemmas | DR Norbert Morawetz |
MT2CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PO2AMG | American Government and Politics | DR Graham O'Dwyer |
PO2GPH | Global Politics and History | DR Kerry Goettlich |
PO2MIR | Modern International Relations | DR Joseph O' Mahoney |
PO2PWS | Politics of the Welfare State | DR Christoph Arndt |
PO2THI | Political Thinking | DR Alice Baderin |
PP2EA1 | Ethical Argument 1: Philosophy and How to Live | DR Luke Elson |
PP2GP1 | Global Philosophy 1 | DR Shalini Sinha |
PP2HKW1 | Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein 1 | DR Severin Schroeder |
PP2IDR1 | Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2MM1 | Meaning and the Mind 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2OID1 | Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy 1 | DR Charlotte Newey |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
FB2PYB | Industrial Training Year | DR Emma Bennett |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
FB3FPD | Food Product Development | DR Maria Oruna-Concha |
FB3GSA | Consumer Attitudes to Food Quality | PROF Lisa Methven |
FB3LNP | Lifestyle, Nutrigenetics and Personalised Nutrition | DR Vimal Karani |
FB3NDH | Nutrition in Health and Disease | PROF Julie Lovegrove |
FB3PFB | Research Project | PROF Gunter Kuhnle |
FB3QSF | Advanced Food Quality and Sensory | DR Nikos Mavroudis |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250*
New international students: £24,500
* 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.
Placement year fees
If you spend a full year on placement, you will only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee for that year. For more information, please see our fees and funding pages or contact placements@reading.ac.uk.
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
Food is Europe's largest and most buoyant industry, and nutritionists work at the forefront of product development, packaging design and the communication of health messages to consumers.
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. You may decide to take your transferable skills into other areas, such as teaching, accountancy or environmental health. Our degrees are also a stepping stone to MSc or PhD study.