Get degree ideas using our A level explorer tool

Food Science

Entry requirements


A level

A,B,B

ABB 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.

Access to HE Diploma

D:30,M:15

60 credits overall in an acceptable science related programme with 45 credits at Level 3 of which 30 are graded Distinction.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

D3,M2,M2

D3 M2 M2 including two science subjects (including at least one of Chemistry, Physics, Biology or Mathematics).

GCSE/National 4/National 5

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

16 points at higher level, with 5 each in two science subjects at Higher Level including at least one of Chemistry, Physics, Biology or Mathematics.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H2,H2,H2,H3,H3,H3

AAABBB or H2H2H2H3H3H3 including two science subjects (including at least one of Chemistry, Physics, Biology or Mathematics).

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDD

DDD in a relevant Science subject. We do not accept Health and Social Care or Sports and Exercise Science.

Scottish Higher

A,A,B,B,B

AABBB including 2 sciences at Advanced Higher, at least one of which must be Chemistry, Physics, Biology or Mathematics.

UCAS Tariff

128-147

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Other options

4 years | Full-time with year in industry | 2024

4 years | Full-time with time abroad | 2024

Subject

Food science

Food science is a multidisciplinary subject that brings together the pure science subjects of chemistry, biology, physics and nutrition to the study of nature, sustainability, properties and composition of foods and the changes they undergo during storage and processing.

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

Our food science degree will give you a solid understanding of the importance of food in human society – from challenging current issues in food production to applying scientific concepts to grasp the complex characteristics of food.

You’ll develop your knowledge of the science underpinning the relationships between food processing, food formation and quality and safety, investigating the operations used to preserve foods and the procedures used to produce everyday commodities. In addition to considering the issues surrounding the sustainability of ingredients and manufactured products, you'll also study the effects that food has on our health and wellbeing. We’ll also encourage you to think creatively as a food scientist, designing your own food as part of a team-based product development project.

Throughout the course, you’ll learn a combination of core food science 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 industry.

**Why study at Leeds:**
- This course is accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology.

- Our globally-renowned research here at Leeds feeds into your course and shapes your learning with the latest thinking in areas such as food colloids, functional biopolymers, food processing and novel food design.

- Experience expert teaching delivered by a programme team made up of academics and researchers who specialise in a variety of food science and nutritional disciplines.

- Take the opportunity to work alongside our academics and get involved in real-life research happening in the School.

- Access excellent specialist facilities including computer clusters and teaching laboratories that give you an industry-standard environment to perform experiments and conduct project work.

- Enhance your career prospects and give your CV that competitive edge before you graduate with our industrial work placement opportunities. Our close industry links have given previous students the chance to work at — and build professional relationships with — UK and multinational companies such as Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Nestlé.

- Gain invaluable life experience and advance your personal development with our exciting study abroad programmes, spanning across universities worldwide.

- At the end of your second year, there is the possibility of transferring to the four-year integrated Masters (MSci, BSc) course.

- Make the most of your time at Leeds by joining our Food Science society, where you can widen your interest in food studies and get to know people on your course outside of lectures through trips and socials such as a Summer BBQ.

The Uni


Course location:

University of Leeds

Department:

School of Food Science and Nutrition

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

68%
Food science

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Food sciences

Teaching and learning

74%
Staff make the subject interesting
84%
Staff are good at explaining things
74%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
66%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

71%
Library resources
83%
IT resources
77%
Course specific equipment and facilities
72%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

67%
UK students
33%
International students
25%
Male students
75%
Female students
97%
2:1 or above
2%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

B
B
A

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Food sciences

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£23,000
med
Average annual salary
100%
high
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

29%
Engineering professionals
18%
Science, engineering and production technicians
8%
Business, research and administrative professionals

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Food sciences

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£23k

£23k

£27k

£27k

£33k

£33k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Explore these similar courses...

Lower entry requirements
University of Nottingham | Nottingham
Food Science
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 104-141
Nearby University
Sheffield Hallam University | Sheffield
Food and Nutrition
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 112
Higher entry requirements
University of Leeds | Leeds
Nutrition
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 136-153
Same University
University of Leeds | Leeds
Food Science and Nutrition
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 128-147

Share this page

This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

This is the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Course location and department:

This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here