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Subjects A-B

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Bioveterinary Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminology
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Finance
  • Food
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre & Performance

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise
  • Creative Writing

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

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

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teacher training
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

MSc Food Science

  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  12 months Part Time: 24 months
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  12 months Part Time: 24 months

Delve into the world of food with our MSc Food Science course.

The safety, quality and nutritional properties of the food that reaches consumers depends upon food scientists.

Building on your scientific undergraduate studies, this course will allow you to gain an in-depth knowledge of the science of food. Taught by academics from the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, topics include:

  • food chemistry
  • food quality and safety
  • manufacturing and process.

    Our Department is a world authority on food and human nutrition. We have leading experts in all of the component disciplines that contribute to food and nutritional science – a claim that no other UK department can make.

    You will become accustomed to working in extensive, industry-standard laboratories. Our food-teaching facilities include:

    • Food Processing Centre. This pilot plant is unique to Reading. There is almost 1100m2 of floor space devoted to approximately £4m worth of equipment. Used primarily for teaching and learning, the plant contains processing equipment for food product development work. No other UK university offers what we do under one roof.
    • Flavour Centre. The Centre hosts facilities that enable you to gain comprehensive practical experience in taste and aroma analysis, and flavour extraction.
    • Sensory Science Centre. Our in-house sensory facility gives you the opportunity to evaluate your own food products developed on the course. It is also available for commercial sensory profiling and market research activities.

    We are proud of our research: the University of Reading is ranked  8th in the UK for research power in Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences (Times Higher Education, Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of the latest Research Excellence Framework 2021) and 95% of our research is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences).

    As an MSc Food Science student, you will also have access to – and are encouraged to get involved in – the most up-to-date knowledge in the field of food science and nutrition.

    Gain valuable industry experience with MSc Food Science

    Our MSc Food Science is industry relevant, and the curriculum has been designed in consultation with industry. Designed to widen your skill set and boost employability, you will be encouraged to complete a research project with one of our industry partners. This is an opportunity to embed your learning in practice and undertake research in an area you are interested in, such as new product development or formulation.

    Plus, our well-equipped building offers training opportunities for further research on graduation.

    Build on your existing knowledge

    This master’s course is for graduates of pure sciences – such as chemistry, biology, biochemistry and microbiology – or applied sciences. Examples of applied sciences degrees include:

    • Food science
    • Food engineering
    • Food technology
    • Human physiology
    • Biomedical sciences
    • Agricultural engineering

    If you’re unsure whether your degree counts as an applied science, please contact us via reading.ac.uk/question.

    You can attend this course on a full-time basis over one year, or part-time over two years.

    Overview

    Delve into the world of food with our MSc Food Science course.

    The safety, quality and nutritional properties of the food that reaches consumers depends upon food scientists.

    Building on your scientific undergraduate studies, this course will allow you to gain an in-depth knowledge of the science of food. Taught by academics from the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, topics include:

    • food chemistry
    • food quality and safety
    • manufacturing and process.

      Our Department is a world authority on food and human nutrition. We have leading experts in all of the component disciplines that contribute to food and nutritional science – a claim that no other UK department can make.

      You will become accustomed to working in extensive, industry-standard laboratories. Our food-teaching facilities include:

      • Food Processing Centre. This pilot plant is unique to Reading. There is almost 1100m2 of floor space devoted to approximately £4m worth of equipment. Used primarily for teaching and learning, the plant contains processing equipment for food product development work. No other UK university offers what we do under one roof.
      • Flavour Centre. The Centre hosts facilities that enable you to gain comprehensive practical experience in taste and aroma analysis, and flavour extraction.
      • Sensory Science Centre. Our in-house sensory facility gives you the opportunity to evaluate your own food products developed on the course. It is also available for commercial sensory profiling and market research activities.

      We are proud of our research: the University of Reading is ranked  8th in the UK for research power in Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences (Times Higher Education, Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of the latest Research Excellence Framework 2021) and 95% of our research is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences).

      As an MSc Food Science student, you will also have access to – and are encouraged to get involved in – the most up-to-date knowledge in the field of food science and nutrition.

      Gain valuable industry experience with MSc Food Science

      Our MSc Food Science is industry relevant, and the curriculum has been designed in consultation with industry. Designed to widen your skill set and boost employability, you will be encouraged to complete a research project with one of our industry partners. This is an opportunity to embed your learning in practice and undertake research in an area you are interested in, such as new product development or formulation.

      Plus, our well-equipped building offers training opportunities for further research on graduation.

      Build on your existing knowledge

      This master’s course is for graduates of pure sciences – such as chemistry, biology, biochemistry and microbiology – or applied sciences. Examples of applied sciences degrees include:

      • Food science
      • Food engineering
      • Food technology
      • Human physiology
      • Biomedical sciences
      • Agricultural engineering

      If you’re unsure whether your degree counts as an applied science, please contact us via reading.ac.uk/question.

      You can attend this course on a full-time basis over one year, or part-time over two years.

      Entry requirements

      Please note that entry requirements for 2024/25 have not yet been confirmed. The entry requirements for 2023/24 were:

      IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5 (or equivalent).

      Entry requirements: Applicants are typically required to have at least a lower second-class honours degree (2:2) in a pure or applied science (or equivalent from a university outside the UK). Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning may be considered based on relevant work and other experience.

      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

      The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change.

      Compulsory modules:

      • Microbes, Food Safety and Health
      • Food Chemistry: Structure, Flavour and Colour
      • Sustainable Food Manufacturing and Process Design
      • Applied Sensory and Flavour Science
      • Food Product Reformulation 
      • Applied Food Quality and Safety
      • Research Skills and Project

      The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available between May and August 2023. We suggest that you regularly revisit this webpage during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme.

      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: £12,100

      New international students: £25,800

      Fees for 2024/25 have not yet been set. For your reference, fees for 2023/24 are listed on this page.

      The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

      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.

      Scholarships and financial support

      For information about the University of Reading’s master’s scholarships, please visit our master’s scholarships page.

      You can apply for a scholarship once you hold an offer of admission for your course. If you are eligible for a scholarship, we will contact you to guide you through the process.

      Careers

      Careers for MSc Food Science graduates

      With expertise in a field which affects food producers, governments and consumers, highly qualified food specialists are in demand. The food and drink industry is the UK’s largest manufacturing sector. It’s responsible for adding £21.9bn to the gross value of the UK economy – and it needs new graduates to meet its recruitment needs.

      Your market-relevant knowledge will be applicable to a range of organisations. These include: multinational food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, major retail chains, government bodies and companies supplying niche markets.

      Recent graduates have secured roles such as:

      • Process Technologist with Pepsico International
      • Quality Executive with Agro Tech Foods
      • New Product Developer with Bakkavor
      • Food Technologist with Tesco
      • Research and Development Technologist with Kerry Ingredients and Flavours

      Alternatively, you could progress to PhD-level study.

      Overall, 95% of graduates from Food and Nutritional Sciences are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation; of those in full-time employment, 90% are in graduate-level roles. (Based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes all Food and Nutritional Sciences responders)

      Read more about where our MSc Food Science graduates are now

      • Faye Wheller returned to education to boost her knowledge and skill set, choosing Reading for its facilities and flexibility. After completing her master's, she's been able to expand her work opportunities as a lecturer, and hopes to progress to PhD study.

      Gain valuable, industry-relevant experience


      Bread rolls

      Scholarships


      We have scholarships available for our international master's students.

      Find out more in our How much will it cost section.

      Take the next step


      Apply online now

      Ask us a question

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      Related Subjects


      • Food and Nutritional Sciences
      • Nutrition
      • Healthcare

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