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If you’re passionate about food science but feel you’d benefit from extra preparation before diving into a full degree, the BSc Food Science with Foundation is a great option. You’ll spend your first year strengthening your skills in science and maths, before moving into three years of specialist food science study, covering everything from microbiology to product development and nutrition.
Curriculum Structure
Foundation Year
This year is all about building your confidence. You’ll study biology, chemistry, mathematics, and sustainability through lectures, tutorials, and practical workshops. It’s designed to make sure you have the right academic base to thrive in the rest of the degree.
Year 1
Once you progress, you’ll dive into the science of food. Modules like Food Microbiology, Biochemistry and Metabolism, and Human Physiology and Nutrition give you an understanding of how food works from a biological and chemical perspective. You’ll also begin practical work in labs and get your first exposure to food processing and engineering.
Year 2
In your second year, you’ll start applying your knowledge to real industry challenges. You’ll explore Food Product Development, Advanced Food Processing, and Flavour Chemistry. At the same time, you’ll gain hands-on experience in Reading’s pilot food plant, learning how products are created on an industrial scale.
Year 3
Your final year gives you the chance to specialise and show independence. You’ll complete a major research or product development project alongside advanced modules such as Food Safety and Quality, Food Engineering, and Nutrition & Health. It’s a year where you bring everything together and prepare for the workplace.
Focus Areas
Food microbiology; Biochemistry & metabolism; Food processing & engineering; Product development; Human physiology & nutrition; Sustainability; Sensory science.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to design and test food products, analyse processes, solve food safety and quality issues, and understand the nutrition–health connection. You’ll leave with lab, processing, and teamwork skills that make you highly employable.
Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
The course is fully accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), so your qualification is recognised by the food science profession and gives you a clear advantage with employers.
Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Ranked 7th in the UK for Food Science (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025).
94–96% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months.
Reading is 1st in the UK for graduate salary in agriculture, food, and related studies (after five years).
One of the best things about the BSc Food Science with Foundation is that you don’t just sit in lectures — you get hands-on from the very start. Even during your foundation year, you’ll be in practical classes and workshops, learning biology, chemistry, maths, and sustainability in ways that prepare you for real-world science. As you move into the full degree, you’ll spend time in labs, pilot plants, and sensory centres, developing skills that food companies actually look for.
Here’s what you’ll get to do and where you’ll learn it:
Foundation Year practicals – get comfortable in labs with biology, chemistry, and maths experiments, building confidence for your later studies.
Food Processing Centre – a huge facility with industrial-scale equipment where you’ll try out real-world food production and experiment with new product ideas.
Flavour Centre – explore the chemistry of taste and aroma, learning how ingredients interact to create flavours people love.
Sensory Science Centre – conduct taste, texture, and aroma tests, just like professional panels in the food industry.
Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition – study the impact of food on human health and metabolism.
Laboratory practicals – from microbiology to biochemistry and product development, you’ll get plenty of hands-on experience.
Pilot-scale food plant – test how products behave at production scale and learn about the challenges of scaling up recipes.
Industrial placements – optional placements with companies like Mars, Graze, Marks & Spencer, and Bakkavor give you real work experience and industry insight.
Graduating from the BSc Food Science with Foundation opens up a wide range of exciting career paths in the food industry and related scientific fields. Many of our students go on to roles such as Food Product Development Scientist, Quality Assurance Manager, Food Safety Auditor, or Nutritional Consultant. With the strong practical skills, lab experience, and industry exposure you gain at Reading, you’ll be ready to step straight into work or further study with confidence.
Here’s how Reading helps you get there:
Careers and Employability Service – One-to-one support for CVs, interviews, job applications, and finding the right placements.
Industrial Placements – Opportunities to work with companies like Mars, Graze, Marks & Spencer, and Bakkavor, gaining real-world experience.
Networking & Career Events – Connect with employers and industry professionals through fairs, workshops, and talks.
Accredited Degree – The program is recognized by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), giving your qualification professional credibility.
Graduate Outcomes – Around 94% of Food & Nutritional Sciences graduates are in work or further study within 15 months, with strong starting salaries and growth potential.
Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue learning after your degree, there are lots of options. You could pursue a Master’s in Food Science, Nutrition, or Food Technology, or even a PhD if you enjoy research and want to specialise in a particular area. You can also gain professional certifications through IFST, which can help open doors to senior or specialist roles in industry.
A levels : BBB - for applicants without a core science subject CCC - for applicants with a core science subject Core science subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Biology, or Maths.GCSE : At least grade 4 (C) in Science if not studying sciences at A levelIB : 30 - for applicants without a high level core science subject 24 - for applicants with a high level core science subject Core sciences: Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Maths and Nutrition & Food Science.Indian boards : Overall 70% in your Standard XII examinations and strong performance in Science subjects, particularly Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics, is essential.American curriculum : A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Subject Prerequisites: Completion of high school courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics.Standardized Testing: SAT or ACT scores may be required, depending on the program. For the Food Science with Foundation program, please check the specific requirements.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 SpeakingFood Product Development ScientistQuality Assurance / Quality Control ManagerFood Safety AuditorNutritional Consultant / Scientist 
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University of Reading
