Food Science and Nutrition MSci, BSc

Course overview

Food science and nutrition is a multidisciplinary subject that brings together all the sciences of chemistry, biology, physics and nutrition to the study of the nature, sustainability, and the properties and composition of foods. This course also focuses on the role that foods, nutrients and “diet” play in maintaining health and wellbeing and in preventing diseases.

Skilled food scientists and nutritionists play an important role in understanding how raw materials are transformed into finished food products whilst ensuring the food we eat is safe, good quality and meets our nutritional and dietary needs.

Our food science and nutrition degree will give you an in-depth understanding of the scientific aspects of food science and nutrition and the wider implications of diet on our health and wellbeing. This course provides a balanced curriculum, exploring the applications of pure sciences to food such as food composition, food processing and food formulation whilst also covering nutrition through the life cycle and aspects of how food components affect health and disease. In addition, you’ll consider issues surrounding the sustainability of ingredients and manufactured products. We’ll also encourage you to think creatively, designing your own food product as part of an interdisciplinary team-based product development project.

At the interface between food science and nutrition, graduates will be key in the development of new healthy eating trends.

Throughout the course, you’ll learn a combination of core food science and nutrition topics, alongside a range of optional and skills development modules to give you the technical skills, specialist knowledge and professional experience you’ll need to pursue a career in the food and nutrition industry.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB including two science subjects (including at least one of Chemistry, Physics, Biology or Mathematics).

Where an A-Level science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A-Level at the stated grade.

Excludes A-Level General Studies or Critical Thinking.

GCSE: C (4) in English, or an equivalent English language qualification, and C (4) in Mathematics.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ): We recognise the value of this qualification and the effort and skills required to undertake it, where an applicant is taking the EPQ this may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. The EPQ taken with A-Levels, for example, could be ABB with an A in the EPQ.

Alternative qualification

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds A Level offer: BBB including two science subjects (including at least one of Chemistry, Physics, Biology or Mathematics) plus a pass in the Access to Leeds scheme.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, please contact the Admissions Team.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Career opportunities

There’s a worldwide shortage of qualified food science and nutrition graduates, so there has never been a better time to study this highly sought after degree at Leeds.

Once you graduate, you’ll have the scientific knowledge and relevant practical, interpersonal and intellectual skills to be able to work as a food scientist.

Plus, University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2024, High Fliers Research, meaning our graduates are highly sought after by some of the most reputable companies in the field.

Our recent graduates have pursued a range of interesting careers, for example, in food science research, product development, marketing, food technology and food quality assurance in the food industry, in the community or within food science research, consultancy and policy.

Examples of recent graduate destinations include:

• Marks and Spencer
• NHS
• Mondelez International
• Premier Foods
• University of Cambridge
• Arla Foods
• Heart Research UK
• University of Edinburgh

Read profiles of our alumni to find out more about where some of our graduates are working.