Program Overview

Develop the expertise to meet society's demand for safe and sustainable food products with our accredited BSc Food Science degree.

Led by experts from the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, this three-year course will equip you with a full understanding of food production processes.

You'll gain essential knowledge and skills in:

• food microbiology
• biochemistry and metabolism
• food processing and engineering
• product development
• human physiology and nutrition.

At Reading, you'll also develop key technical skills through laboratory-based practicals, sensory evaluation, and work in our pilot-scale food processing plant.

Become a food science specialist at the University of Reading

• Top ten UK university for Food Science (joint 5th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021).
• 95% of our research is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences).
• Our food science graduates have the second-highest median salary of such graduates six months after graduation (The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019, based on analysis of 2017 graduate salaries).

Professional accreditation

Our BSc Food Science course is accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), the industry’s leading professional body.

Accreditation provides an assurance that your degree meets the standards expected by the food industry, helping you to stand out in a competitive job market. You'll also be recognised as a professional food scientist by the Institute of Food Science and Technology.

Led by experts from the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, this three-year course will equip you with a full understanding of food production processes.

You'll gain essential knowledge and skills in:

• food microbiology
• biochemistry and metabolism
• food processing and engineering
• product development
• human physiology and nutrition.

At Reading, you'll also develop key technical skills through laboratory-based practicals, sensory evaluation, and work in our pilot-scale food processing plant.

Become a food science specialist at the University of Reading

• Top ten UK university for Food Science (joint 5th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021).
• 95% of our research is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences).
• Our food science graduates have the second-highest median salary of such graduates six months after graduation (The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019, based on analysis of 2017 graduate salaries).

Professional accreditation

Our BSc Food Science course is accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), the industry’s leading professional body.

Accreditation provides an assurance that your degree meets the standards expected by the food industry, helping you to stand out in a competitive job market. You'll also be recognised as a professional food scientist by the Institute of Food Science and Technology.