Food Science and Culinary Innovation
BSc (Hons)
University College Birmingham

Key Course Facts
Course Description
OVERVIEW Passionate about food? Curious about how it’s produced from farm to fork, or intrigued by the science behind the dishes that delight our palates? Our Food Science and Culinary Innovation degree will give you the up-to-date knowledge and practical skills to embark upon a career in a fast-paced and constantly changing industry.
Our course has been developed against the key skills competencies outlined by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (accreditation subject to approval) and reflects the evolving needs of the sector, with modules mapped towards the IFST. The course will enable you to explore a broad range of subjects from product development, food quality and safety to sustainability and food science, along with the psychology behind consumer choice and sensory analysis. Whether you are looking to diversify your chef skills or enhance your employability, this course will open the doors to endless job opportunities in the wider food industry.
As part of our course, you will put your skills into practice in our purpose-built Food Science and Innovation Suite, while you’ll also have the chance to take a paid 48-week placement in the industry. Throughout your studies, you will be taught by our team of experts from across culinary arts, food science, retail and psychology, working on industry-led live projects and assignments.
WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?
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Work placement – Gain invaluable first-hand experience with the option of a paid industry placement – and you won’t incur any tuition fees during your placement year
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Practical application – Put training into practice on live industry projects and by working in our Food Science and Innovation Suite and development kitchens
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Expert tuition – Learn from our expert multi-disciplinary lecturing team as well as guest speakers from industry
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Enrichment – Get additional qualifications to boost your employability alongside your food science degree, including Level 3 Food Safety and IFST Sensory Evaluation (Foundation)*
*Subject to approval
FACILITIES University College Birmingham is renowned for its outstanding food industry training facilities. As a student on our Food Science and Culinary Innovation course, you will have access to our professional standard kitchens which are used regularly for prestigious competitions, as well as our Food Science and Innovation Suite. Designed with the help of the food industry, this multi-million pound suite features the latest food testing and diagnostic technology, state-of-the-art development kitchen facilities and a bespoke sensory evaluation room.
PLACEMENTS Our course features the option of a one-year placement after your second year, with opportunities in the UK or overseas. Support is also available from our hired@UCB employability team for summer placements.
Employers we have worked with include Mondelēz, Whitworths, Newly Weds, Campden BRI, Greencore, M&S, Co-op, Synergy Flavours, Samworth Brothers and Coppenrath and Wiese.
CAREERS AND PROGRESSION Examples of careers you could pursue following this course:
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Product development chef
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Product development technologist
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Food technologist
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Specifications technologist
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Quality assurance technician
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Buyer (food)
You could also progress onto one of our postgraduate courses at University College Birmingham.
- Please refer to our website www.ucb.ac.uk for the latest updates to this course
What You Will Learn
Programme content: As a student of Food Science and Culinary Innovation, BSc (Hons) you will study the following course modules.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Entry Requirements / Admissions
Minimum Required UCAS Tariff
Level 3 qualifications are accepted at UCB for entrance, a minimum of 96 UCAS Tariff points will be required. If you are unsure if your qualification is accepted call us on 0121 604 1040 or email [email protected].
Qualification requirements
UCB will accept A Level in General Studies for this course and will also take into consideration applicants who are studying an extended project.
A relevant HNC or a foundation degree with 120 credits.
A relevant HND or a foundation degree with 240 credits.
You will need a minimum of 96 UCAS Tariff points
You will need a minimum of 96 UCAS Tariff points. A minimum of 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction.
This can be achieved from either an Extended Diploma or a combination of smaller BTEC qualifications.
A T-level graded Pass with a core component of grade C.
Year 1 Entry: Students who are studying a combination of different qualification types will receive an offer that will be inclusive of all Level 3 qualifications. Advanced Entry: If you are unsure if your previous higher education qualification is suitable please contact us before completing an application, you can call us on 0121 604 1040 or email: [email protected]
English language requirements
test | Grade | Additional Details |
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Cambridge English Advanced | BA/BSc - Minimum 170 with no less than 160 in any skill FdA/FdSc - Minimum 160 with no less than 150 in any skill | |
IELTS (Academic) | BA/BSc - Overall score of 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in each component FdA/FdSc - Overall score of 5.5 with no less than 5.0 in each component | |
Institution's Own Test | BA/BSc - Overall score of B2 with no less than B2- in in each component FdA/FdSc - Overall score of B2- with no less than B1+ in in each component |
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Food Science and Culinary Innovation, BSc (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.
Costs
Tuition Fees Food Science and Culinary Innovation BSc (Hons)
EU | £9250 | year 1 |
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England UK | £9250 | year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | year 1 |
International | £11500 | year 1 |
Additional fee information
If you are a UK/EU student enrolling on a Foundation Degree or a BA/BSc at University College Birmingham in 2020/21, your fee for this academic year will be £9,250. A half year tuition fee is £4625.
This is a yearly fee, and will increase with inflation in subsequent years in line with the government’s permitted rise.
If you are an English or EU student studying your first higher education qualification, you can apply for a tuition fee loan from the Student Loans Company. You will not start repaying this loan until you leave the course and are earning over £25,000 a year.
If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you should apply to Student Finance Wales, Student Finance Northern Ireland, or SAAS. The loans and grants available to you will differ from those available from Student Finance England.
UCB does not charge for 24 or 48 week placements.
More information about UK/EU Fees please go to our website here -
https://www.ucb.ac.uk/our-courses/undergraduate/fees-funding-and-scholarships/full-time-tuition-fees-and-finance/full-time-tuition-fees.aspx
International:
More information about International Fees please go to our website here - https://www.ucb.ac.uk/our-courses/international/tuition-fees-and-scholarships.aspx
Average student cost of living in the UK
Rent | £518 |
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) | £50 |
Supermarket shopping | £81 |
Clothing | £35 |
Eating out | £33 |
Alcohol | £27 |
Takeaways / food deliveries | £30 |
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) | £24 |
Holidays and weekend trips | £78 |
Transport within city | £17 |
Self-care / sports | £20 |
Stationary / books | £13 |
Mobile phone / internet | £13 |
Cable TV / streaming | £7 |
Insurance | £51 |
Other | £95 |
Average student cost of living | £1092 |
London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.
How to apply
Application deadline:
January 1, 2024
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Possible Entry Points:
- year 1 (Default entry point)
University Rankings
Positions of University College Birmingham in top UK and global rankings.
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About University College Birmingham
University College Birmingham (UCB) is a university located in Birmingham, England, which specialises in vocational courses for both the higher education and further education sectors. The majority of UCB’s undergraduate and postgraduate degrees are officially accredited by the University of Birmingham, one of the highest ranked academic institutions in the world.
List of 61 Bachelor and Master Courses from University College Birmingham - Course Catalogue
Student composition of University College Birmingham
- undergraduates:
- 4130
- postgraduates:
- 440
- Total:
- 4570
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