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. 

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.