BSc Nutrition and Food Science with Professional Training

With BSc Nutrition and Food Science with Professional Training you will learn about the creation of healthier food products and gain valuable industry experience with a year-long training placement.

The role of nutritionists within the food industry is increasingly important, as consumers grow more aware of the importance of healthy eating. Our BSc Nutrition and Food Science will help you to understand the processes of food production and how these can be amended to create healthier products. The Department has strong links with industry, which means that you can choose from a wide range of training placements at renowned companies and organisations. Additionally, the course is accredited by the Association for Nutrition. After graduating you will be eligible to apply to become a Registered Associate Nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition (AfN) via the direct entry pathway, providing a clear and respected marker of your status as a nutrition professional.

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. 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).

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 this knowledge by exploring areas such as public health nutrition, food choice and regulation, and the development of new products.

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.

Placement

Between your second and final year you will spend a year on a paid industrial training placement. 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, consumer work, food technologists and product development scientists. 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 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

With BSc Nutrition and Food Science with Professional Training you will learn about the creation of healthier food products and gain valuable industry experience with a year-long training placement.

Placement

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.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer

ABB including B in one core science and one additional science subject.

Core sciences: Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Maths.

Accepted additional sciences: Food Technology, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Home Economics, IT, Computer Science, PE.

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall including at least 5 in one core science subject (as listed above) and one second science subject 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, including comparable science modules (one science must be a core science)

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.

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

Compulsory modules

Nutritional Biochemistry and Physiology

Learn how human biochemistry and physiology underpin medical science and how macronutrients, micronutrients and non-nutrients impact on cell, tissue and organ function. You’ll learn the fundamentals of human physiology, its processes, and metabolic pathways relevant to human health and disease, with specific examples of the impact of nutrients within food matrix.

Food and Nutritional Chemistry: A Practical Approach

Gain a fundamental understanding of major food components. You’ll develop research and transferable skills such as laboratory skills, scientific report writing, oral presentation and group work.

Food Microbiology

Develop fundamental microbiology knowledge with a focus on food microbiology, its key topics and applications. You’ll also develop microbiology laboratory skills as you study aseptic techniques, microbial growth, and production of fermented foods.

Food System Challenges

Obtain a basic understanding of the food chain and the principles of food production, covering plant and animal-derived foods. You’ll understand how issues such as food security, sustainable crop production, food miles, societal and cultural challenges, and different food production methods can affect the quality of food produced and availability to the consumer.

Introduction to Sustainable Food Manufacturing

Gain an introduction to food manufacturing and the processes that underpin it. You’ll learn about scientific principles that are the foundation of industrial preservation and transformation of food materials and relevant food processing operations and their impact on the quality and safety of food. You’ll also gain hands-on experience in our extensive food processing pilot plant.

General Chemistry A

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

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.

Compulsory modules

Composition and Properties of Foods

Develop a sound knowledge of the chemical composition and properties of foods and the impact of major food components and permitted food additives on food quality. You’ll also learn about the changes that occur in these components during storage and processing, and develop skills required for chemical analysis of foods.

Food Processing and Quality Assurance

Learn about the industrial manufacture of foods, key operations and processes used by the food industry and the effect of these operations on food product properties. You’ll also find out about the quality management and legislative control systems in place to ensure food safety, quality and consumer health protection, and gain hands-on experience working in our Food Processing Centre.

Nutrition Research and Practice

Learn the fundamental qualitative and quantitative tools used in nutrition research and practice. You’ll gain hands-on experience in dietary assessment, methods for assessing health, meal preparation and planning for different populations, as well as designing and conducting a randomised controlled trial.

Sensory and Consumer Science

Explore and evaluate diverse sensory and consumer methods. You’ll learn how food is perceived and ways to measure these perceptions and consumer responses. You’ll also develop practical skills and learn to apply statistical techniques.

Nutrition Policy and Professional Conduct

Begin to develop the professional skills you will need to achieve your registration as a UKVRN Registered Associate Nutritionist and progress to Registered Nutritionist Status. You’ll explore about various actors in the food, nutrition and health ecosystems and how as a professional you can demonstrate ethical and professional practice. You’ll also learn to apply appropriate communication skills throughout all areas of your practice.

Nutritional Epidemiology and Public Health

Learn to develop nutrition public health policy from data collection and how to use behaviour change theory to develop public health interventions. You’ll learn about the factors that affect diet and nutritional needs, intake and practices, and conduct data analysis on a dietary dataset to recommend a public health intervention.

Securing a Job: Recruitability and Employability

Develop your skills in CV writing and interview techniques to prepare yourself for job opportunities and progress in your professional career.

Placement Year

Compulsory modules

Nutrition in Management and Prevention of Disease

Consolidate your understanding of nutrition in the management and prevention of non-communicative diseases and learn to apply critical evaluation of evidence. You’ll also have opportunities to demonstrate your presentation skills in front of different population groups.

Lifestyle, Nutrigenetics and Personalised Nutrition

Gain an understanding of clinical, biochemical and molecular bases of complex diseases such as metabolic (e.g., obesity) and cardiovascular disease. You’ll study topical issues in nutritional sciences and major advancements over the last decade. You’ll also learn to assess health outcomes, deliver appropriate healthy living advice, and to motivate lifestyle behaviour change.

New Product Development

Design, develop and evaluate food products to meet current consumer needs collaborating with other students to develop your new product. You’ll integrate knowledge and skills from across the programme, as it prepares you for the global workplace.

Research Project

Develop the skills you need to effectively undertake research in food and nutritional sciences. You’ll gain experience by designing and executing either a laboratory-based or a theoretical project.

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 with food science training work at the forefront of product development and package design.

As a graduate of this course, you can become a registered nutritionist. 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. Alternatively you could use your degree for a career in nutrition education and promotion, or work for a government department concerned with public health.

Additionally, you may choose to move into other areas, such as teaching, accountancy and environmental health. This degree can also be a stepping stone for an MSc or PhD in the area of food and health.

BSc Nutrition and Food Science with Professional Training

Placement

* UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

EU student fees

Additional costs

Financial support for your studies

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