3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
If you’re curious about the science behind the food we eat and how it impacts our health, this degree brings those worlds together. The Food Science & Nutrition BSc at Queen’s lets you explore everything from how food is made and preserved to how nutrition influences wellbeing, giving you a strong balance of scientific knowledge and practical skills.
Curriculum structure
Year 1 – Building your foundations
Your first year introduces you to the essentials of food and nutrition. You’ll study Microbiology for Food Scientists, Chemistry for Food Scientists, Sustainable Food Systems, and Fundamentals of Nutrition and Physiology. This stage helps you understand what food is made of, how it interacts with the body, and why sustainability is central to the future of food.
Year 2 – Applying science to real food systems
The second year moves into more applied areas like Principles of Food Quality, Food Commodities, Processing and Hygiene, and Industrial Food Analysis. You’ll also explore Food Innovation, Diet & Health, where you begin to see how food production and nutrition come together in practice — whether that’s developing new products or ensuring foods meet strict safety standards.
Year 3 – Specialising and looking ahead
In your final year, you’ll deepen your expertise with modules such as Nutrition Pathways in Health and Disease and Food Supply Chain Safety and Security. You’ll also take on a major Research Project, where you get to investigate a topic that inspires you. To prepare for life after graduation, you’ll study Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship, linking your science knowledge with skills that employers value.
Focus areas: “Food safety & hygiene; nutrition & health; food product innovation; food supply chain security; business and entrepreneurship.”
Learning outcomes: “Gain a clear scientific understanding of food and nutrition, master practical lab and analysis skills, apply knowledge to real food challenges, and develop the confidence to carry out independent research and innovation.”
Professional alignment: The course is fully accredited by the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST), giving your degree professional recognition across the industry.
Reputation: Queen’s ranks #1 in the UK for Food Science teaching (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025) and #2 in the UK for Food Science & Nutrition (Complete University Guide 2026).
At Queen’s, you won’t just be learning from textbooks — you’ll be in modern labs, tackling real food challenges, and building the kind of skills that employers value. The programme is designed so that lectures, lab work, placements, and field experiences all connect, giving you both scientific knowledge and hands-on confidence. From creating new food products to understanding the science behind nutrition, you’ll always be applying what you learn.
Here are some of the ways you’ll get that real-world experience:
Take part in weekly lab sessions in microbiology, chemistry, and food product development, where you’ll work with real samples and equipment.
Gain industry insight with an optional 16-week work placement, with opportunities at companies like Nestlé, Marks & Spencer, and PepsiCo.
Learn directly from professionals through guest lectures and workshops led by experts from the Food Standards Agency, Campden BRI, and local food companies.
Use Queen’s Virtual Learning Environment and digital tools — from e-quizzes to statistical software — to sharpen your IT and problem-solving skills.
Explore real sustainability challenges through modules like Sustainable Food Systems, which include field trips and group projects focused on global food issues.
Studying Food Science & Nutrition at Queen’s opens doors to an exciting range of careers. Many graduates move into roles such as Food Technologist, Quality Assurance Manager, Product Development Scientist, or Nutrition Advisor — all areas where employers value the mix of science, problem-solving, and practical training you’ll gain here. With Queen’s top UK ranking for Food Science teaching and its strong industry partnerships, you’ll graduate with a qualification that is well-respected across the sector.
Here are some of the ways Queen’s helps you stand out:
Dedicated careers support through the Careers, Employability & Skills team — from CV workshops and interview coaching to employer networking and job fairs.
The programme is professionally accredited by the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST), giving your degree long-term recognition with employers.
Students regularly test their skills in national competitions — for example, QUB teams have won awards in Ecotrophelia UK, a prestigious food product innovation challenge.
Queen’s is ranked #1 in the UK for Food Science teaching (Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025) and #2 in the Complete University Guide 2026, proving the strength of its teaching and graduate outcomes.
Strong graduate prospects: placements, employer connections, and industry-led projects mean many students move directly into professional roles after graduation.
Further Academic Progression:
If you’d like to take your studies further, Queen’s offers postgraduate options such as the MSc in Food Safety, Food Innovation, or Nutrition & Dietetics, as well as research degrees (MRes/PhD) for those keen on academic or industry-focused research careers.
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