BSc Food Science

Program Overview

The University of Reading's accredited BSc Food Science degree equips students with a comprehensive understanding of food production processes, essential knowledge and skills in various food science disciplines, and key technical abilities through hands-on laboratory work. Graduates find employment in fields such as food product development, quality management, and nutritional science, and are recognized as professional food scientists by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST).

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Develop expertise to meet society's demand for safe and sustainable food products with the accredited BSc Food Science degree. Led by experts from the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, this three-year course equips students with a comprehensive understanding of food production processes.

Objectives:

• Gain essential knowledge and skills in food microbiology, biochemistry and metabolism, food processing and engineering, product development, and human physiology and nutrition.
• Develop key technical skills through laboratory-based practicals, sensory evaluation, and work in the pilot-scale food processing plant.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Nutritional Biochemistry and Physiology
• Food and Nutritional Chemistry: A Practical Approach
• Food Microbiology
• Food System Challenges
• Introduction to Sustainable Food Manufacturing
• General Chemistry A

Year 2:

• Composition and Properties of Foods
• Food Processing and Quality Assurance
• Food Spoilage, Preservation and Hazards
• Sensory and Consumer Science
• Nutrition Research and Practice
• Securing a Job: Recruitability and Employability

Year 3:

• Advanced Food Quality and Safety
• Food Chemistry and Perception
• New Product Development

Teaching:

• Led by experts from the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences.
• Extensive facilities for diverse teaching and research, including the Food Processing Centre, Flavour Centre, Sensory Science Centre, and Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition.
• Research expertise feeds directly into the topics studied throughout the degree, providing access to the latest developments in food science.

Careers:

• Graduates typically find employment in food product development, quality management, food technology, and nutritional science.
• Recent graduates have worked for companies such as Bakkavor, Douwe Egberts, Ferndale Foods, and Innocent Drinks.

Other:

• The program is accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), the industry's leading professional body.
• Graduates are recognized as professional food scientists by the IFST.
• The University of Reading is ranked 7th in the UK for Food Science by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.
• 95% of the university's research in Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
• Food science graduates from the university have the second-highest median salary six months after graduation (The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019).
• In the National Student Survey 2023, 100% of students agreed that teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things.

New UK/Republic of Ireland students:

£9,250

New international students:

£27,650