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This BSc Food Science with Business with Industrial Training is a unique opportunity to develop your scientific and business skills, and gain valuable industry experience with a year-long paid training placement.
Run in conjunction with the award-winning Henley Business School and the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, this course combines expertise from across the University. It is ideal for anyone who wants to work in a managerial, commercial or technical position within the food sector. Furthermore, our department has strong links with industry, and you will gain valuable professional experience through a year-long paid training placement.
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 subjects such as the fundamental science behind food and nutrition, the processes involved in food production, human physiology, economics, marketing and financial management. You will also gain experience of using key technical skills through sensory evaluation and laboratory-based practicals, and work 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, and embark on a venture project within the Henley Business School.
Graduates of this course are recognised as professional food scientists by the Institute of Food Science and Technology.
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 officers, food technologists, product development scientists and in consumer work. 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 guidance on finding the ideal placement, writing a CV and interview skills by our placement coordinator and team of careers consultants.