Full Time: 4 Years
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. This 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 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 via the direct entry pathway, providing a clear and respected marker of your status as a nutrition professional.
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 for finding the ideal placement, writing a CV, and interview skills, by our Head of Industrial Training.
Quick look entry requirements A Level AAB-ABB | IB 32-34 pts overall
What will you study?
How much will it cost?
How much will it cost?
New UK/EU students: £9250* per year
New international students: £19330 per year
* UK and EU Fee Changes
Subject to the Government passing legislation to raise the minimum fee cap, we will raise undergraduate tuition fees from £9,000 to £9,250 for new UK/EU students applying to start courses in the 2017/18 academic year. You will not be affected by this rise if you have deferred entry to the 2017/18 academic year. The Government will confirm future arrangements for EU students in due course.
Information on this page is based on 2018/19 figures and is likely to change slightly for 2019/20 entry. We will publish up-to-date information about 2019/20 entry as soon as it becomes available.
For further information, please see our webpage on the Teaching Excellence Framework and future tuition fees.
Additional Costs
These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. 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 and other EU countries 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.
* UK and EU Fee Changes
Subject to the Government passing legislation to raise the minimum fee cap, we will raise undergraduate tuition fees from £9,000 to £9,250 for new UK/EU students applying to start courses in the 2017/18 academic year. You will not be affected by this rise if you have deferred entry to the 2017/18 academic year. The Government will confirm future arrangements for EU students in due course.
The tuition fee will remain £9,000 per year for the full duration of this course if you start in the 2016/17 academic year or have accepted an offer but deferred your entry until the 2017/18 academic year. This is unlike other institutions who are planning to raise fees midway through courses.
For further information, please see our webpage on the Teaching Excellence Framework and future tuition fees.
Additional costs
These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. 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 and other EU countries 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.
What career can you have?
What career can you have?
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.
You can become a registered nutritionist after graduation and work within the food industry and related sectors, for companies such as Kraft, Mars, Marks & Spencer, and GlaxoSmithKline. 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.