Artisan Food Production FdSc

UCAS code: D895

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Level of study:
Foundation degree, Undergraduate
Typical offer:
64 UCAS tariff points
Start date:
September 2026
Duration:
Two years full-time
Attendance:
Full-time
Course delivery:
On-campus (Brackenhurst)

Students on the Artisan Food Production course at NTU

Information for 2026

About this course

This unique course will provide you with the skills and knowledge to work in the artisan food industry, meeting the increasing demand for high quality food that is sustainably produced. This course is delivered by professional artisan food specialists at The School of Artisan Food – based on the Welbeck Estate – alongside food technology specialists at Nottingham Trent University. You’ll study the functionality of high-end food ingredients, and practical skills such as breadmaking, patisserie and viennoiserie, butchery, charcuterie and cheesemaking.

Which course is right for you?

We offer two artisan food production degrees, each with a different focus:

BSc (Hons) Artisan Food Production - explores the context of artisan food within the wider food industry, with some hands-on practical modules. You will also explore the ethical and sustainability issues in food production.
FdSc Artisan Food Production (this course) - is more vocational, with greater emphasis on practical and applied skills, ideal for those who want to set-up an artisan food business.

Free travel

Teaching will be split between The School of Artisan Food, based in north Nottinghamshire on the Welbeck Estate, and NTU's Brackenhurst Campus. You'll benefit from a free shuttle bus between sites.
Amazing facilities

You'll access purpose-built training rooms and a demo theatre at The School of Artisan Food, plus all NTU's facilities like the food processing lab, general labs, and library.
Learn from the experts

The School of Artisan Food has an outstanding reputation for the quality of its training, and you'll benefit from some of the most skilled staff and experienced artisan producers and practitioners in the world.
No. 1 in the UK

for teaching quality in Food Science courses (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025).

During this course you'll learn the skills needed to work in the artisan food industry. From developing practical expertise and producing a range of food products to setting up an artisan food business. You'll also study the functionality of high-end food ingredients, and practical skills such as bread-making, patisserie and viennoiserie, butchery, charcuterie and cheese-making.

Top
5

In the UK for Nutrition and Food in The Guardian University Guide 2025

Module information

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll be studying throughout the course:

During your Final Year, you will study five core modules and choose one optional module.

Core modules

Optional modules

We regularly review our course content based on student and employer feedback to ensure they remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or availability in future years. Optional modules will only run where there is sufficient demand. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis to protect the academic and student experience.

Fleur Wagstaff

Food Science and Production student

“There’s a lovely atmosphere, you’re learning something really niche that not many people know. You’re never bored or dreading coming here, I’m always happy to come.”
Read Fleur's profile
Jack Woodward

Food Science and Production student

“You can get quite a lot of hands-on learning, which is good for me, and it’s given me a core set of skills.”
Read Jack's profile
Nate Lorenzen

Food Science and Production student

“Having the in-person sessions and talking to people with industry experience is really valuable.”
Read Nate's profile
Libby Graham

Food Science and Production student

“It’s very specialised so if you know you want to go into this career it’s very good. You come out with so many skills and its very production heavy. You learn to work at large scale and to bake as part of team.”
Read Libby's profile
Byron Mansfield

Food Science and Production student

“Everyone who works on the course is extremely passionate about it. The guidance comes from a place of understanding that’s taken years to hone. You get introduced to many different types of artisan skills -it’s just incredible learning all round.”
Read Byron's profile

On this course your teaching will be split between The School of Artisan Food, based in north Nottinghamshire on the Welbeck Estate, and Nottingham Trent University Brackenhurst Campus.

You'll learn via a variety of lectures, seminars, workshop, laboratory and practical sessions. Applied practice is integral to this course and you'll be supported to gain relevant industry experience.

Assessments include assignments, portfolios, team presentations, practical assessments, exams, class tests, project work, and case studies.

Please note that field trip locations may vary and are subject to availability and change.

Contact hours

For each 20-credit module, you’ll spend about 200 hours learning overall. Around 40 of those hours will be taught in lectures or seminars. The rest of the time is for independent study, reading, research, or working on assignments. You will also spend time on practical sessions.

Entry requirements

UK students

Standard offer: 64 UCAS Tariff points from three qualifications.

Other requirements: GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4.

Additional requirements for UK students

There are no additional requirements for this course.

Contextual offers

If you don’t quite meet our entry requirements, we might be able to make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and your individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer, and we get data from UCAS to help make these decisions. We do this because we believe everyone with the potential to succeed at NTU should have the opportunity to do so, no matter what barriers you may face.

Meeting our entry requirements

Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to three different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.

Other qualifications and experience

NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.

We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.

Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.

International students

Academic entry requirements: 64 UCAS Tariff points from three qualifications.

We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.

Please note this course is not open to students requiring a Tier 4 / Student Route visa.

English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.

Additional requirements for international students

There are no additional requirements for this course.

English language requirements

View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.

If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.

Other qualifications and experience

If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.

You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.

Sign up for emails

Sign up to receive regular emails from the International Office. You'll hear about our news, scholarships and any upcoming events in your country with our expert regional teams.

Getting in touch

If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.

Policies

We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.

Fees and funding

UK students

- see the fees for this course, as well as information about funding and support.

£9,790 per year

If you choose to do a placement year, you'll pay a reduced fee for that year of £1,905.

Find out about the extra support we may be able to provide to help pay for uni, including NTU bursaries and scholarships.

You will need to pay tuition fees for each year that you are at university. The tuition fees, including the placement year and study abroad options are subject to government policy and may change in future years of study.

Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but we don’t want you to feel anxious or confused about it. Visit our fees and funding pages if you have any concerns.

International students

- see the fees for this course, as well as payment advice and scholarships.

£17,950 per year
If you choose to do a placement year, you'll pay a reduced fee for that year of £1,905

You will need to pay tuition fees for each year that you are at university. The tuition fees might increase from the second year of your undergraduate course, in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.

Scholarships

We offer international scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for a scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.

Living costs

See our advice on managing your money and the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham.

Paying fees

As an international student, you'll need to make an advance payment as part of your offer conditions. You'll then need to pay your tuition fees in full, or have an agreement to pay in two further instalments, in order to enrol on the course.

Find out how and when to pay your fees, including information about your advance payment, instalment dates and how to make payments securely to the University.

Enquiries

If you have any queries relating to advance payments or arrangements to pay, please contact our friendly and experienced international enquiries team.

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are just a few additional things you may need to budget for:

Textbooks and library books

Your modules will point you to key textbooks and recommended reading. Many are available online, and in our libraries, but some students choose to buy their own copies. You’ll receive resource lists showing where to access eBooks, digital resources and physical copies. Our friendly Library team is always on hand to help you find what you need.

Printing and photocopying costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the printing and photocopying information on the Library website.

Field trips

Non-residential UK day excursions are included in the tuition fee. You will be charged a maximum of 20% of the price per student cost for any compulsory residential trips or courses in the UK, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and entrance fees where applicable. For example, a typical 5-day UK residential field trip cost would be approx. £500 per student, and we would ask for a £100 contribution from students. You will be charged a maximum of 30% of the price per student cost for any compulsory overseas residential courses, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and associated trip fees where applicable. For example, a typical 6-day residential overseas field trip cost would be approx. £600 per student, and we would ask for a £180 contribution from students. Other non-compulsory field trip opportunities in the UK and abroad may also be offered, and these will be charged at 80% cost to students. A valid passport and any associated visas will also be required for field trips outside of the UK.

Attire for Artisan Food Production study

All students will also be expected to provide their own attire. We currently require chefs trousers, white polo shirts, green hoodies, aprons, and skull cap. We have an ordering system for students to purchase these items.

Fees and funding advice

For more advice and guidance, phone the Student Money Team on +44 (0)115 848 2494.

Cost of living information and support

Managing your money can help you make the most of life at NTU. Here's how we can support you, and now you can make your funding go further.

Cost of living in Nottingham

Our student benefits and free services

Money advice for international students

Careers and employability

Your future career

On completion of the course you will be fully enabled with all the entrepreneurial theories and skills to help you create your product and outline your business plan.

Work-like experience projects

You will also benefit from work-like experience opportunities embedded into your course. Recently, our Artisan Food Production students completed a work-like project with Dropworks Distillery to create a viable marketing plan for a new or existing artisan product or business.

Employability Promise

Personalised support, one-on-one coaching and industry-specific advice – it’s all part of our Employability Promise. And it doesn’t end when you leave NTU – you’ll have access to all our careers services for three years after you graduate (conditions apply).
Graduate employers

Graduates from this course have successful careers in organisations such as:
- Soho House
- Dalton's Dairy
- Tough Mary's Bakehouse
- Froneri
Our graduates are…

Graduates from this course now work in a wide range of roles such as:
- Product Development Technologist
- Production Manager
- Chef de Partie Pastry Chef
- Baker
Assessed work-like experience

We’ve embedded at least eight weeks of assessed work-like experience into all of our courses. This gives you the opportunity to apply your learning in real-world scenarios, build your confidence, and develop the experience employers are looking for.
NTU Enterprise

If you’re a budding entrepreneur, NTU Student Enterprise can help you to develop your ideas and innovations and turn them into a reality. We also offer training, mentoring, workshops, financial advice and more to develop your business skills.

Where your degree could take you

Discover how our students and alumni used their Food Science and Production degree to further their careers. Take a look at our other profiles and explore the possibilities awaiting you.

Hannah’s path to Production Manager at Dalton’s Dairy

Learn about a day in the life of a Production Manager at a dairy manufacturer, a role Hannah achieved at twenty years old after a summer placement at Daltons.

View Hannah Johnson's profile
How Lucy juggles New Product Development and her own bakery

Alumna Lucy Green discusses her job developing products for the ice cream company Froneri, alongside running her own bakery business.

View Lucy Green's profile
Jordan’s bursaries and bakery placements

Hear about Jordan Young’s achievements while studying the FdSc, his placements in Reykjavik, and his plan to pursue the top-up degree.

View Jordan Young's profile

Campus and facilities

The School of Artisan Food has an outstanding reputation for the quality of training it provides, and you’ll benefit from staff who are some of the most skilled and experienced artisan producers and practitioners in the UK, Europe and beyond.

They also boast newly refurbished, purpose-built training rooms and a demonstration theatre, which all include state-of-the-art specialist equipment.

Meanwhile you’ll also have access to all of the facilities at Nottingham Trent University. As a dedicated home for our animal, rural and environmental science courses, the Brackenhurst Campus has a character all of its own. From the population of almost 2,000 students and staff to the animals themselves — cats and cattle, sheep and horses — it’s all about community. Relax with a coffee in the Orangery; kick back with your coursemates in the Brack Bar; enjoy the peace and quiet of our Victorian walled garden or Eco-Library; grab a pal and wander through 500 acres of stunning countryside.

Our Brackenhurst Campus sits on the doorstep of Southwell: a picture-perfect market town filled with rustic pubs, cosy cafés, and boutique shops. A little further afield, and served by reliable buses that run late into the night, you’ve got Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. It’s stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.

Applying

UK students

Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.

Keeping up-to-date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!

Apply through UCAS

International students

You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.

Please note this course is not open to students requiring a Tier 4 / Student Route visa.

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.