MSci Food Science and Nutrition with Professional Studies

This isn’t a course where you just sit in lecture theatres and take notes. At Queen’s, you’ll spend a lot of time in state-of-the-art labs, working with real food samples, and even designing your own research project by the final year. The brand-new School of Biological Sciences building and the Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS) give you access to world-class facilities that most undergraduates never get near. You’ll get comfortable using advanced equipment, solving problems in groups, and applying what you learn to real-world industry challenges.

Here are some of the ways you’ll build those skills:

• Hands-on lab work – from analysing nutrients and testing food quality to exploring microbiology, you’ll get extensive time in modern food science labs.

• Cutting-edge technology – at the IGFS and ASSET Technology Centre, you’ll use the same advanced tools (like mass spectrometry and chromatography) that industry and researchers rely on to test food safety and authenticity.

• Innovation competitions – students regularly enter national contests such as Ecotrophelia UK, where Queen’s teams have won awards for new food product development.

• Digital skills & data analysis – you’ll learn how to handle scientific data, use digital tools, and present findings clearly—skills that employers really look for.

• Team projects & case studies – you’ll work with classmates on industry-based problems, learning how to tackle challenges just like professionals in the food sector.

• Final-year research project – in your MSci year, you’ll design and carry out your own piece of research, gaining experience in planning, experimentation, and reporting—just like a professional scientist.

You’ll be learning in the same facilities that researchers and industry partners use every day, which means you graduate with genuine, practical experience that sets you apart.

When you graduate from this programme, you won’t just walk away with a degree—you’ll step into a sector that’s hungry for skilled professionals. Many students move into careers like food scientist or technologist, nutritionist, food safety or quality officer, or even into policy and regulation roles that shape how we eat and live. What really helps is the mix of scientific knowledge, practical skills, and industry exposure you’ll gain throughout your time at Queen’s.

And here’s what makes your future so promising:

• Dedicated employability support – the School of Biological Sciences has its own Placement Hub and careers team, who connect you directly with employers, help with CVs and interview prep, and guide you into placements that often turn into job offers.

• Strong graduate outcomes – around 95% of graduates from food science and related programmes are in work or further study within 15 months, with average salaries starting at about £28,000.

• Industry partnerships that matter – past students have worked with big names like Pepsico, Nestlé, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Kerry Group, Finnebrogue, Moy Park, Tayto and more—giving you insider experience in real business settings.

• Accreditation for your career – the degree is officially accredited by the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST), giving your qualification professional recognition that employers value worldwide.

• Global impact and opportunities – thanks to Queen’s links with the Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS), you’ll be connected to cutting-edge research and collaborations that are shaping the future of food safety and sustainability.

Further Academic Progression:
If you discover you want to go even deeper into research or specialise further, this MSci gives you the perfect launchpad. Many graduates continue with a Master’s in Food Safety, Public Health Nutrition or related areas, while others stay at Queen’s for a PhD through the IGFS, working on world-leading projects in food authenticity, traceability, or the link between nutrition and health.