BSc Food Business and Marketing with Foundation Year

The BSc Food Marketing and Business Economics with Foundation Year at the University of Reading is perfect for students who want to combine a love for food with a strong understanding of business and marketing. The foundation year gives you the essential skills and knowledge you need, setting you up to confidently tackle the three years of specialized study in food business, marketing, and economics.

Curriculum Structure

Foundation Year
In your foundation year, you’ll get a solid introduction to university-level study, learning key academic skills like research, writing, and independent study. You’ll also explore the basics of business, economics, mathematics, and consumer behavior, giving you a broad understanding of the foundations for food business and marketing:

• Mathematics – building the quantitative skills you’ll need for analysis.

• Business Management – learning how organizations operate and are managed.

• Economics – understanding basic economic concepts and their application to the business world.

• Psychology – exploring how consumers make decisions.

Year 1 (Level 4)
The first academic year builds on your foundation, introducing you to core topics in food business and marketing. Modules include:

• Introduction to Food Economics – discover how economic principles shape the food industry.

• Principles of Marketing – learn the basics of marketing and consumer behavior.

• Business Management Fundamentals – dive deeper into organizational structures and leadership.
  These courses provide a strong grounding for more specialized study later on.

Year 2 (Level 5)
In your second year, you’ll tackle more advanced concepts and begin applying them to real-world situations. Modules include:

• Food Marketing Strategy – design effective marketing strategies for the food sector.

• Consumer Behavior in Food Markets – analyze what drives purchasing decisions.

• Supply Chain Management – understand the logistics behind getting food from producer to consumer.
  This year strengthens your analytical and strategic thinking skills.

Year 3 (Level 6)
Your final year focuses on putting everything you’ve learned into practice and preparing you for your career. Key modules include:

• Strategic Food Business Management – plan and implement strategies in real business contexts.

• Global Food Markets – explore international trade and market dynamics.

• Research Project – complete an independent project on a topic that interests you.
  By the end of this year, you’ll have a thorough understanding of the food business landscape and the skills needed to thrive professionally.

Focus Areas
Food Business Economics, Marketing Strategies in the Food Sector, Consumer Behavior Analysis, Supply Chain and Operations Management

Learning Outcomes

• Apply marketing and economic principles to solve real-world problems in the food industry.

• Conduct independent research and present findings effectively.

• Communicate confidently in professional and consumer contexts.

• Make strategic decisions based on a solid understanding of the food business environment.

Professional Alignment
The program is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), which gives you exemptions from some of their professional qualifications and boosts your employability in marketing roles.

Reputation
The University of Reading is widely respected for its expertise in food-related courses and maintains strong connections with industry, making your degree highly relevant and recognized.