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BSc Food Science with Foundation

  • UCAS code
    D611
  • Typical offer
    See entry requirements
  • Year of entry
    2022/23 See 2021/22 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years

With our BSc Food Science with Foundation course you will learn from world-leading authorities on food and discover how to tackle the exciting challenges facing Europe's largest industry.

Are you keen to take our BSc Food Science course but haven’t taken the necessary A level subjects? Our BSc Food Science with Foundation is a four-year programme that includes a year of foundational study and leads directly into the three-year course.

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. 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 learned 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, their final year projects are often finalists in the National Science, Engineering and Technology awards.

For more information, please visit the Food and Nutritional Sciences website.

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

New international students: £23,700

* 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.

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. University of Reading 2017 Food Science graduates had the second-highest median salary of such graduates six months after graduation (Based on The Sunday Times 2019 Good University Guide's analysis of 2017 graduate salaries six months after graduation.)

As a graduate of this course, you will be recognised as a professional food scientist by the Institute of Food Science and Technology. You can embark on a career within the food industry or a related sector, working for companies such as PepsiCo, Mars, Marks & Spencer, Unilever  and McCormick.

Additionally, you may decide to move into another areas, such as teaching, accountancy or environmental health. You will also be well-placed to move on to further study.