Enter OTP
If you want to combine a passion for food with the energy of business and marketing, the BSc Food Business and Marketing at the University of Reading is the perfect fit. This degree blends marketing, management, and entrepreneurship with specialist insight into the food industry — giving you the skills to understand both consumer behaviour and the global challenges shaping the future of food.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
Your first year sets the foundations in business and marketing, while introducing the food sector. You’ll take modules like The Economic Environment, Food Business, and Fundamentals of Management and Marketing, alongside Research and Professional Skills for Business and Marketing. By the end of the year, you’ll have a clear picture of how businesses operate and how food markets function from farm to fork.
Year 2
In your second year, you’ll start applying what you’ve learned to real-world food and marketing problems. Modules such as Applied Marketing and Management, Practice of Entrepreneurship, and Global Sustainability: Challenges and Prospects give you the chance to develop hands-on skills through team projects, business case studies, and entrepreneurial challenges. You’ll also explore sustainability issues, changing consumer habits, and the pressures on global food systems.
Final Year
Your final year is all about choice and independence. You can take on an applied marketing project or an individual research project focused on the food industry, allowing you to dive into topics such as digital marketing, plant-based trends, or branding. Alongside this, you’ll strengthen your expertise in strategy, category management, and entrepreneurship — all while preparing for your career in the food business world.
Focus areas: “Food marketing; Consumer behaviour; Business economics; Digital marketing; Sustainability; Entrepreneurship; Supply chain and policy.”
Learning outcomes: “Gain practical marketing and business skills; understand the economics of the food industry; apply digital and analytical tools; manage projects and teams; develop entrepreneurial thinking; be career-ready for the food business sector.”
Professional alignment (accreditation): This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), giving you exemptions from several CIM professional qualifications — a real head start if you want to become a Chartered Marketer.
Reputation (employability rankings):
The University of Reading is ranked top 20 worldwide for Agriculture & Forestry (QS World University Rankings).
Graduates have gone on to work with major employers such as Unilever, Waitrose, and Warburtons.
At Reading, learning about food business and marketing isn’t just theoretical — it’s hands-on from day one. You’ll gain practical experience working on real projects, exploring how food companies operate, and understanding what makes products succeed in the market. Through field trips, group projects, and digital tools, you’ll build the skills employers are looking for while seeing the food industry up close.
Some of the ways you’ll get hands-on experience include:
Real-world projects: Develop marketing campaigns, business proposals, or product launch plans for actual companies.
Group work and mock consultancies: Collaborate with classmates on consumer research, strategy development, and business planning.
Industry exposure: Meet professionals through guest lectures, workshops, and field visits to food production and retail operations.
Optional placement year: Spend a full year in a professional role, gaining experience in brand management, product development, or category management.
Digital tools and analytics: Use current marketing software and data analytics to inform decisions and track results.
Specialist facilities: Access University farms, labs, and resources that let you explore the food chain from farm to fork.
Graduates from the BSc Food Business and Marketing program at the University of Reading leave with a strong mix of marketing, business, and food industry expertise, ready to step straight into rewarding careers. Many alumni find themselves shaping brands, managing product lines, or analyzing market trends in both UK and international food sectors. Typical roles include:
Brand Manager
Category Manager
Product Development Manager
Marketing Analyst
Here’s how the program supports your career growth:
Graduate Employability: 94% of Food and Nutritional Sciences graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degree.
Industry Connections: Strong links with food businesses give you real-world insights and networking opportunities.
Professional Accreditation: Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), giving exemptions from some professional qualifications.
Salary Potential: Graduates in this field earn an average of £36,500 five years after graduation, the highest in the UK for agriculture and food-related studies.
Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue your studies, the University of Reading offers postgraduate options tailored to advance your expertise, such as:
MSc Food Economics and Marketing – focus on market strategies in the food industry.
MSc Strategic Marketing – dive deeper into advanced marketing and decision-making.
MSc International Business – explore global business practices and international markets.
MSc Business Analytics – develop analytical skills to make data-driven business decisions.
These pathways build on your undergraduate foundation, equipping you for leadership roles in the food business and marketing sectors.
A levels : BBB any three subjects (no specific subjects)IB : 30 points overall (no specific subjects)Indian boards : Overall 70% in your Standard XII examinationsAmerican curriculum : A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)IELTS : Overall 6.5,no component below 5.5TOEFL : Overall score of 88 with no less than 17 in Listening and Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in SpeakingBrand ManagerCategory ManagerProduct Development ManagerMarketing Analyst
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University of Reading
