Food Science BSc

Overview

Learning

Structure

Entry requirements

Fees

Careers

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 (7th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025).
• 95% of our research is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences).
• University of Reading ranks 1st in the UK for graduate salary for Agriculture, food and related studies (based on The Telegraph's analysis of DfE data on the earnings of first degree graduates after five years from English Higher Education Institutions, July 2025).
• In the National Student Survey 2024, 94% of our students said the course has developed the knowledge and skills they think they will need for their future (93.88% of responders from the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences).