Food Science with Foundation
BSc (Hons)
University of Reading
Key Course Facts
Course Description
With our BSc Food Science with Foundation course you will learn from world-leading authorities on food and discover how to tackle the exciting challenges facing Europe's largest industry.
Are you keen to take our BSc Food Science course but haven’t taken the necessary A level subjects? Our BSc Food Science with Foundation is a four-year programme that includes a year of foundational study and leads directly into the three-year course.
Food science is the study of the quality, safety and nutritional purposes of foods. This course aims to give you the scientific skills and knowledge base needed to understand food processes and meet society's demands for safe and sustainable food products. 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.
You will study the fundamental science behind food and nutrition, the processes involved in production, and human physiology. You will also gain experience of using key technical skills through sensory evaluation, laboratory-based practicals and work in our pilot-scale food processing plant. During your final year you will have the chance to put these newly learned manufacturing skills to the test in our "Product Development" module. You will be given a brief by industry and work as a team to produce an original product, which you will showcase at an end-of-term trade show.
Graduates of this course are recognised as professional food scientists by the Institute of Food Science and Technology. Additionally, their final year projects are often finalists in the National Science, Engineering and Technology awards.
Careers
Food is Europe's largest and most buoyant industry, and there is a constant demand for graduates with knowledge of technical skills and ways to tackle the latest consumer issues. University of Reading 2017 Food Science graduates had the second-highest median salary of such graduates six months after graduation (Based on The Sunday Times 2019 Good University Guide's analysis of 2017 graduate salaries six months after graduation.)
As a graduate of this course, you will be recognised as a professional food scientist by the Institute of Food Science and Technology. You can embark on a career within the food industry or a related sector, working for companies such as PepsiCo, Mars, Marks & Spencer, Unilever and McCormick.
Additionally, you may decide to move into another areas, such as teaching, accountancy or environmental health. You will also be well-placed to move on to further study.
Accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST).
Student Reviews
Below you can see course specific reviews for 35 graduates of Food Science with Foundation BSc (Hons) and other courses in at University of Reading for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in .
Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.
All food sciences courses of University of Reading
Salary
Salary of Graduates in food sciences
Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.
| 15 months after graduation | 3 years after graduation | 5 years after graduation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median salary | £26000 | £28000 | £33500 |
| 25-75 percentile range | £25000 - £27000 | £21000 - £33000 | £25000 - £38000 |
All food sciences courses of University of Reading
Salary of all UK Graduates of food sciences
| 15 months after graduation | 3 years after graduation | 5 years after graduation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median salary | £25000 | £29012 | £31977 |
| 25-75 percentile range | £22000 - £27000 | £23267 - £34267 | £24568 - £40375 |
All food sciences courses in the UK
What You Will Learn
Programme content: As a student of Food Science with Foundation, BSc (Hons) you will study the following course modules.
Year 1
Year 2
Jobs & Career Perspectives
15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.
All food sciences courses of University of Reading
Current jobs
Job in line with future plans
Utilise skills from studies
Work is meaningful
All food sciences courses of University of Reading
Required skill level of job after 15 months
% Skilled jobs
All food sciences courses of University of Reading
Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)
Example below based on all graduates of Food Science with Foundation BSc (Hons) at University of Reading
| 20% | Science, engineering and technology associate professionals |
| 20% | Engineering professionals |
| 10% | Quality and Regulatory Professionals |
| 10% | Managers, directors and senior officials |
| 10% | Business and public service associate professionals |
| 5% | Elementary occupations |
| 5% | |
| 5% | Natural and social science professionals |
| 5% | Teaching Professionals |
| 5% | Therapy professionals |
Grading & Study Time
Assessment Methods
Study Time Distribution
Entry Requirements / Admissions
Minimum Required UCAS Tariff
UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for food sciences
All food sciences courses of University of Reading
Qualification requirements
Students taking Science subjects at A Level are encouraged to consider entry to the BSc without Foundation option.
Students taking Science subjects are encouraged to consider entry to the BSc without Foundation option.
Students taking Science subjects are encouraged to consider entry to the BSc without Foundation option.
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
Students taking Science subjects are encouraged to consider entry to the BSc without Foundation option.
GCSE English and Mathematics at grade C. Contextual offers for this programme are typically two grades beneath our standard entry requirement, e.g. DDD - BCC.
English language requirements
| test | Grade | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 88 | We require a minimum score of 88 overall with no less than 17 in Listening and Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | We require a grade B or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | We require a grade C or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162. | |
| PTE Academic | 69 | We require a minimum score of 69 overall with at least 59 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). |
| Institution's Own Test | Test of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP). We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). | |
| Trinity ISE | We require a Merit in each element from ISE II. If you take ISE III or ISE IV, we require a Pass in each element. |
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still be able to join Food Science with Foundation, BSc (Hons).
Costs
Tuition Fees Food Science with Foundation BSc (Hons)
| England UK | £9250 | year 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | year 1 |
| Ireland | £9250 | year 1 |
| EU | £23700 | year 1 |
| International | £23700 | year 1 |
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:
- Foundation
University Rankings
Positions of University of Reading in top UK and global rankings.
Rankings of University of Reading in related subject specific rankings.
Agriculture
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- #3
- #46
-
- Agriculture
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URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Subject
[Published 06 June, 2020]
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- #7
- #9
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- Food Science
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CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 13 June, 2022]
See all 47 university rankings of University of Reading
About University of Reading
The University of Reading is a publicly funded university in Reading, Berkshire, England. Reading has four major campuses; London Road and Whiteknights campus which are located in Reading itself, with Greenlands campus being found on the banks of the River Thames. The fourth campus is known as Iskandar Puteri, in Malaysia.
Student composition of University of Reading
-
Students by level of study Academic year 2020/21 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on 10 February 2022
- undergraduates:
- 12230
- postgraduates:
- 4090
- Total:
- 16320
Where is this programme taught
Show on map
Similar courses
| Program | University | Student satisfaction | Unemployed | Dropout | Tuition (UK) | Tuition (International) |  UCAS Tariff |
City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Food Science with International Foundation Year (September Entry) BSc (Hons) | University of Reading | 98% | 0% | 0% | £9250 | £23700 | 132 | Reading | On campus Full-time | |
|
|
Food Science with Business with Industrial Training BSc (Hons) | University of Reading | 98% | 0% | 0% | £9250 | £23700 | 134 | Reading | On campus Full-time | |
|
|
Food Technology with Bio-Processing with Industrial Training BSc (Hons) | University of Reading | 98% | 0% | 0% | £9250 | £23700 | 132 | Reading | On campus Full-time | |
|
Food Science BSc (Hons) | The University of Nottingham | 92% | 0% | 5% | £9250 | £25000 | 163 | Nottingham | On campus Full-time | |
|
|
Food Science and Nutrition BSc (Hons) | The University of Nottingham | 82% | 0% | 0% | £9250 | £25000 | 161 | Nottingham | On campus Full-time | |
|
|
Nutrition and Food Science BSc (Hons) | University of Reading | 84% | 0% | 10% | £9250 | £23700 | 132 | Reading | On campus Full-time | |
|
|
Food Science with Business BSc (Hons) | University of Reading | 98% | 0% | 0% | £9250 | £23700 | 134 | Reading | On campus Full-time | |
|
Food Science and Technology (with Foundation Year) BSc (Hons) | Teesside University | 86% | 0% | 5% | £9250 | £13000 | 104 | Middlesbrough | On campus Full-time | |
|
|
Food Science with Foundation BSc (Hons) | University of Reading | 98% | 0% | 0% | £9250 | £23700 | 132 | Reading | On campus Full-time | |
|
|
Nutrition and Food Science with Professional Training BSc (Hons) | University of Reading | 100% | 5% | 5% | £9250 | £23700 | 141 | Reading | On campus Full-time |
Ranking publishers
The University League Tables
- Published:
- 13 June, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject:
- Entry Standards 26%
Student Satisfaction 26%
Research Quality 22%
Graduate Prospects 26%
Urap
- Published:
- 06 June, 2020