Food Science and Technology BSc (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): D892 / D893
- Start Date(s): October 2024
- Duration: Three years full time or four years with placement
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: Brackenhurst Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
Accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology and endorsed by the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink, this course covers a wide range of disciplines. You will develop your scientific and technical knowledge and skills, allowing you to help tackle the challenge of producing food sustainably for a growing global population. Focusing on the chemistry, biochemistry and physics that underpin food manufacturing, you will also study nutrition and the physiology of the human diet. Your learning will incorporate food production methods, product development and food regulation.
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We're ranked in the top 20 in the UK for Food Science courses (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023) -
This course is accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology and endorsed by the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink. -
We're ranked 3rd in the UK for the number of undergraduate students studying Food sciences (HESA data 2021/22) -
You'll undertake practical sessions throughout the course in our purpose-built food processing laboratory.
What you’ll study
This course looks at the chemistry, biochemistry and physics that underpin food manufacturing. You'll also study nutrition and the physiology of the human diet. Your learning will incorporate food production methods, product development, and food regulation.
Food Chemistry
Study aspects of chemistry that are of particular relevance to food production. Carry out laboratory analysis of foodstuffs and learn the principles of data analysis.
Food Safety
Gain the knowledge and skills necessary to implement safe practices in the production of food. This module covers the professionally recognised level 4 food safety syllabus.
Principles of Product Development
Assess the market and identify the need for a new product across different sectors of the food industry. You'll also learn about analysing the costs and technical feasibility of developing a new product.
Food Raw Materials
Understand the different attributes of a range of food raw materials and evaluate how agricultural practices affect their quality. The module also covers raw material supply chain management procedures, and how primary production is manipulated to modify characteristics of raw materials.
Food Product Manufacture
Learn how to combine theory with practical application. You'll use the pilot plant equipment in the food processing hall to undertake a range of food processing operations and apply principles of safety, hygiene and quality to food production.
Quality Assurance
Examine concepts, methodologies and techniques of food quality assurance, including hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP). Carry out shelf-life assessments and apply quality assurance techniques to food products.
Food Technology
Gain a sound understanding of processing operations used in the food industry, including mixing and emulsifying, filtration, heat-processing methods, and dehydration.
Microbiology of Food Processing
Develop knowledge and understanding of microbial food spoilage and toxin production. Undertake laboratory work, learning and applying a variety of techniques for the microbiological assessment of food.
Sustainable Food Production
Discuss the challenges, problems and benefits related to the sustainability of food production and food supply chains. You'll also identify and evaluate methods by which the environmental impact of the food industry can be minimised.
Food Industry Professional Practice
Throughout this module you'll develop a portfolio and professional social media profile. You’ll also be given support with your continuing professional development, and engage with our university employability team to improve your future graduate work prospects.
Consumer Nutrition and Health
Understand human nutrition and develop an ability to analyse foods for macronutrients associated with nutrition and allergens. You'll also investigate how consumer nutritional needs affect product development.
Experimental Design and Analysis
Cultivate an understanding of research methodology, hypothesis testing, statistical analysis, and data presentation.
This is a placement year for students on the four-year course.
Food Biochemistry
Study the biochemical aspects of food processing, both beneficial (e.g. fermentation processes) and detrimental (e.g. food spoilage). Genetically modified (GM) crops and microbes will also be explored.
Food Industry Management
Develop and promote your management skills. You'll focus on management issues within the food industry, including understanding the integrated nature of the supply chain and the commercial and political environment in which the industry operates.
Product Innovation
Working in a team, you'll address all the stages involved in the development of a new food product, from concept to retail. You'll develop your own understanding of the constraints within which new food product development takes place.
Advances in Food Processing and Technology
You will examine a range of food processing technologies including membrane processes, extraction, and robotics. You'll also study the biophysical principles underpinning their impact on food production, quality and safety.
Dissertation
Carry out independent research under supervision. Focus on your own area of interest within the food industry.
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How you’re taught
You'll experience a range of learning and teaching methods. As well as traditional lectures and tutorials, you'll undertake practical work in our food processing, chemistry and microbiology laboratories. Visits to commercial businesses are also arranged.
Please note that field trip locations may vary and are subject to availability and change.
Contact hours
- Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (26%), independent study (74%)
- Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (24%), independent study (76%)
- Year 3 lectures/seminars/workshops (21%), independent study (79%)
A placement year may be taken between year 2 and year 3 of study.
How you’re assessed
- Year 1 coursework (84%), written exam (8%), practical (8%)
- Year 2 coursework (83%), written exam (17%)
- Year 3 coursework (83%), written exam (17%)
Careers and employability
This degree will equip you for a career within the food and drink sector. You could find employment in a range of quality assurance, technical, production, and new product development roles.
This course will also provide you with the transferable skills necessary for self-management.
Our graduates have gone on to work for multinational food companies like Unilever, Goodfella’s, Quorn, and KP Snacks.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Campus and facilities
Based at our Brackenhurst Campus, you’ll work with industry-standard tools and technology in our specialist food-processing, chemistry and microbiology laboratories.
Entry requirements
- 104 - 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including an A-level Science subject or equivalent.
- GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4.
For this course we accept the following Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Human Biology, Environmental Studies, Sports Science and Design and Technology: Food Technology.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Contextual offers
A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.
Other qualifications and experience
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Access to Higher Education courses
If you’re aged 19+ and don’t have the qualifications to meet the entry criteria, you can study an Access to HE course right here at NTU. These one-year courses are designed specifically as an alternative route to university.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
- 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including an A-level Science subject or equivalent.
- GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4.
For this course we accept the following Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Human Biology, Environmental Studies, Sports Science and Design and Technology: Food Technology.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)
You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
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.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
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.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
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.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy 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, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Tuition fees for September 2024 entry are yet to be confirmed.
For guidance, course fees for September 2023 entry are:
Mode of study | International tuition fee |
Full-time | £16,500 |
Full-time with placement | £16,500 + £1,850 (placement year) |
Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your undergraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
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.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
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.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy 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, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
How to apply
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.
Writing your application and personal statement
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You’ve got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
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!
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
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.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. 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.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Advice on writing a good personal statement
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.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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