Food Science with Industrial Training
Entry requirements
A level
One core science subject (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths) and one second science subject. Acceptable second science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Food Technology, Home Economics, Computer Science, IT.
Access to HE Diploma
including relevant science units.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
One core science subject (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths) and one second science subject. Acceptable second science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Food Technology, Home Economics, Computer Science, IT.
Extended Project
In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification provides to students for University study, we now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer. Eligible applicants would receive two offers, our usual offer plus an alternative offer of a B in the EPQ and one grade lower in their A level subjects
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
At Higher Level, one core science subject (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths) and one second science subject. Acceptable second science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Food Technology, Home Economics, Computer Science, IT.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
including relevant science modules.
Scottish Higher
One core science subject (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths) and one second science subject. Acceptable second science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Food Technology, Home Economics, Computer Science, IT.
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
Develop the expertise to meet society's demand for safe and sustainable food products with our accredited BSc Food Science with Industrial Training degree.
Led by experts from the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, this four-year course contains an integrated industrial placement, and will equip you with a full understanding of food production processes.
You'll gain essential knowledge and skills in:
- food microbiology
- biochemistry and metabolism
- food processing and engineering
- product development
- human physiology and nutrition
At Reading, you'll also develop key technical skills through laboratory-based practicals, sensory evaluation, and work in our pilot-scale food processing plant.
Become a food science specialist at the University of Reading
- Top ten UK university for Food Science (joint 5th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021).
- 95% of our research impact is rated outstanding (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2*submissions – Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences).
- Our food science graduates have the second-highest median salary of such graduates six months after graduation (The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019, based on analysis of 2017 graduate salaries).
Industrial training
A key component of this degree is a year-long professional placement, which occurs between your second and final year. Placements can help enhance your employability and build your network.
Previous students from the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences have undertaken placements with:
- Mars Food
- Graze
- Marks & Spencer
- Bakkavor
Our dedicated placement coordinator will provide you with advice and support in finding your ideal placement. They will also advise you on CV writing and interview skills.
Learn more about professional placements with the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences.
Professional accreditation
Our BSc Food Science with Industrial Training course is accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), the industry’s leading professional body.
Accreditation provides an assurance that your degree meets the standards expected by the food industry, helping you to stand out in a competitive job market. You'll also be recognised as a professional food scientist by the Institute of Food Science and Technology.
Modules
The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change.
Core modules for this course: General Chemistry A; Nutritional Biochemistry and Physiology; Food and Nutritional Chemistry: A; Practical Approach; Food Microbiology; Food System Challenges; Introduction to Sustainable Food Manufacturing; 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; Placement or Study Year; Advanced Food Quality and Safety; Food Chemistry and Perception; New Product Development; Research Project
The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available between May and July 2023. We suggest that you regularly revisit this webpage during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
University of Reading
School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy
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.
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
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
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.
Top job areas of graduates
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.
£24k
£29k
£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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Graduate field commentary:
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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?
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