BSc Nutrition and Food Science with Professional Training

University of Reading

United Kingdom, Reading

University RankQS Ranking

173

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Home/United Kingdom/Reading /University of Reading/BSc Nutrition and Food Science with Professional Training

University of Reading

United Kingdom , Reading

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

BDK6

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 30,650 / year

Next Intake September-2026

BSc Nutrition and Food Science with Professional Training

About

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 2024, 94% of our students said the course has developed the knowledge and skills they think they will need for their future (93.88% of responders from 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.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

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

English Program Requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 6.0.

Career

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.

Overall, 96% of graduates from Food and Nutritional Sciences are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (based on our analysis of HESA data (c) HESA 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22, includes all Food and Nutritional Sciences responders).

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.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 30,650

Application Fee

GBP

How to Apply

You can apply online for all of our courses, including courses with an Integrated Foundation Year, via the national admissions service, UCAS. You can choose to apply for up to five courses in total, including more than one course at the same institution.

1. Find a course

Browse our undergraduate courses and identify which ones you'd like to apply for. Make sure to check your course's entry requirements before you apply.

2. Begin your application

Our UCAS code is R12. The University does not have a campus code.

3. Write your personal statement

As part of your application, you'll be asked to submit a personal statement to support your application. This is your opportunity to tell us more about why you want to study the course and what interests, skills and experience you have that demonstrate your passion for the subject.

4. Submit your application

When you're happy with your application and have added the required information such as qualifications, personal statement and reference, you can submit your application.

A small charge is made by UCAS for applying to university. The application fee for 2024 entry is £27.50 for up to five choices.

Make sure to check the UCAS website for the most up-to-date application deadlines. If you have missed the January deadline, there is still the opportunity to apply (via UCAS), and we are happy to consider late applications until 30 June 2024 (all applications received after 30 June are entered into Clearing). Please be aware that some of our courses may be full after the January UCAS deadline, so we recommend early applications where possible.