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  • Wildlife Conservation
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  • Agriculture
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  • Art
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  • Creative Writing

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  • Education
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  • Engineering
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  • English Literature
  • Environmental Sciences
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  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

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  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
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  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Meteorology and Climate
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  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

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  • Zoology

BSc Food Science with Foundation

  • UCAS code
    D611
  • A level offer
    See entry requirements
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years

Develop the expertise to meet society's demand for safe and sustainable food products, and develop core academic skills, with our accredited BSc Food Science with Foundation degree. 

This four-year programme includes a foundation year that leads directly into the three-year course.  

Foundation year

The foundation year will provide you with the skills and knowledge to succeed at university. You’ll develop core skills in academic study, writing and research.

Your subject-specific studies will focus on basic principles in:

  • biology
  • chemistry
  • sustainability
  • mathematics.

Your learning will be delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical classes and workshops.

A foundation year is more than just a stepping-stone to a degree. You will also benefit from:

  • access to our full range of facilities and resources
  • full integration into university life, before your degree year begins
  • experience of an academic environment, and the ability to work independently
  • specialist support and guidance.

What you’ll study with BSc Food Science

After successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll progress onto our three-year 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 (7th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024).
  • 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).
  • In the National Student Survey 2023, 100% of our students agreed our teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (100% of respondents studying in the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences).

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.

Overview

Develop the expertise to meet society's demand for safe and sustainable food products, and develop core academic skills, with our accredited BSc Food Science with Foundation degree. 

This four-year programme includes a foundation year that leads directly into the three-year course.  

Foundation year

The foundation year will provide you with the skills and knowledge to succeed at university. You’ll develop core skills in academic study, writing and research.

Your subject-specific studies will focus on basic principles in:

  • biology
  • chemistry
  • sustainability
  • mathematics.

Your learning will be delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical classes and workshops.

A foundation year is more than just a stepping-stone to a degree. You will also benefit from:

  • access to our full range of facilities and resources
  • full integration into university life, before your degree year begins
  • experience of an academic environment, and the ability to work independently
  • specialist support and guidance.

Learning

What you’ll study with BSc Food Science

After successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll progress onto our three-year 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 (7th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024).
  • 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).
  • In the National Student Survey 2023, 100% of our students agreed our teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (100% of respondents studying in the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences).

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.

Entry requirements A Level See entry requirements

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

BBB - for applicants without a core science subject

CCC - for applicants with a core science subject

Core science subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Biology, or Maths.

International Baccalaureate 

30 - for applicants without a high level core science subject

24 - for applicants with a high level core science subject

Core science subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Biology, or Maths.

If you would like to receive personalised advice on your eligibility for our Foundation courses, please ask us a question.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DMM

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.

GCSE

At least grade 4 (C) in Science if not studying sciences at A level

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

  • Modules

We will be updating this page with module information over the coming weeks. You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

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

New international students: £27,650

* 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

98% of our graduates were in work and/or study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018/19; 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.

 

BSc Food Science With Foundation

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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Related Subjects


  • Food
  • Foundation programmes

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