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2023/24
2024/25

BSc Food Business and Marketing with Placement Year

  • UCAS code
    DL61
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years

If you want a commercial career in one of the most fundamental, dynamic and innovative sectors of the global economy, our BSc Food Business and Marketing with Placement Year course is the degree for you.

Our BSc Food Business and Marketing with Placement Year course will prepare you for the food industry of the future by providing training in business, management and marketing.

Throughout your degree, you will:

  • explore the key challenges facing UK, European and global food businesses, including food processors, retailers, food services, and start-ups
  • gain an understanding of current issues in the food sector, such as rising costs, sustainability, and consumer health and wellbeing
  • develop valuable digital marketing skills.

You'll have the chance to apply your skills to real food business and marketing problems – contributing to the creation or launch of new food products, for example, or designing social media campaigns and marketing communication plans.

You will also have the opportunity to undertake an exciting marketing project as part of a student team. You'll complete mock-consultancies, develop research proposals, carry out market research and present your findings. You’ll also interact with different food businesses through field visits, guest speakers and placements.

During your final year, you will complete either an applied marketing project or a longer independent research project on a food-related topic that inspires you. Past projects have covered a variety of topics, including consumer attitudes towards plant-based food and social media influence on young adults’ food choices.

If you're thinking of starting your own food business, this course also offers opportunities to gain entrepreneurial skills and insight.

Learning environment

You'll study in a school that is ranked 1st in the UK, and is one of the top 20 universities in the world, for Agriculture and Forestry (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2023).

Our multidisciplinary staff have expertise that spans agri-food economics, consumer behaviour, marketing, and agriculture – enabling you to gain food chain insight from farm to fork. You'll also have access to the University's own farms and specialist facilities.

Accreditation

This course is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) as an Accredited Degree, enabling graduates to receive exemptions from all but one module of the Certificate in Professional Marketing or Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing qualification, or exemptions from all but two CIM modules for the Diploma in Professional Marketing qualification or Diploma in Professional Digital Marketing.

Placement

This four-year course includes an integrated, year-long work placement between your second and final year. Placements can be located anywhere in the UK, and occasionally take place overseas.

You could work in a wide variety of areas, including food product development, account management, category management, brand development, and business administration. Recent students have worked at major companies such as Unilever, Warburtons, and Waitrose.

Our dedicated placements officer can offer advice and support in finding your ideal placement, as well as developing your CV and interview skills.. They will continue to support you throughout your placement year.

For more information about securing and completing a placement, please visit our Important Information page.

To learn more about the course and Department, please visit the Agri-Food Economics and Marketing website.


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

New international students: £22,350

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.

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.

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.

You'll graduate from this course with a range of specialist and transferable skills required by the fast-paced, rapidly evolving food industry. As a highly skilled graduate, you'll possess tools for market and business analysis, qualitative and quantitative research, and an understanding of consumer behaviour, marketing and business strategy.

You will be well-placed to move into a range of key business roles within the food industry and other sectors. These can include marketing, brand management, category management, retail management, supply chain management, sales, buying, policy analysis, product development, and start-up businesses.

Previous students have gone on to work for a wide range of companies, both big and small, including Mars, Sainsbury's, Kellogg's, Unilever, and Heineken. They have also found employment with industry associations and boards such as the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

Alternatively, you may choose to move into other careers, such as banking, accountancy or teaching. This degree is also an ideal stepping-stone for postgraduate study.