Science & Environment

Food is complicated! We are bombarded with information about the fat and sugar content of food, how many vitamins and minerals it contains, and the claimed benefits of newer products such as yogurts containing ‘friendly bacteria’. What does it all mean?

Understanding the complex interactions between food composition, metabolism, diet, health and behaviour is vital in the drive to reduce the incidence of long-term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. How we go from ‘basic science to changing behaviour’ is key to the development of nutritional strategies.

This course reflects the range of skills and knowledge required by professionals in the very diverse food and nutrition sector. You are equipped for further study, or for a wide variety of career opportunities, including teaching, nutrition, food science, food safety, environmental health and new product development.

What you study

In Year 1 you study the essential skills needed to be a scientist in an applied science context, including practical methodologies, techniques, and analytical tools to enable you to draw conclusions and present them appropriately. You also learn about health and safety, scientific ethics and entrepreneurship.

You do a series of relevant practical investigative projects in Year 2 to enhance your practical knowledge and skills.

In Year 3 you develop your independent learning skills by investigating an area of food and nutrition for an extended period. You develop key skills in research and applying and creating knowledge.

How you learn

You are expected to attend a range of lectures, small-group tutorials and hands-on laboratory sessions. The work for the practical investigative projects in Year 2 is largely student centred but includes some elements of formal instruction. Part of your course also involves a substantial research-based project.

The course has been designed to provide a number of contact teaching and assessment hours (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratory work, projects, examinations), but you are also expected to spend time on your own, called ‘self-study’ time, to review lecture notes, prepare coursework assignments, work on projects and revise for assessments. Each year of full-time study consists of modules totalling 120 credits and each unit of credit corresponds to ten hours of learning and assessment (contact hours plus self-study hours). So, during one year of full-time study you can expect to have 1,200 hours of learning and assessment.

How you are assessed

Your course involves a range of assessments including coursework assignments and examinations.

Professional placement

There is an option of a professional placement in your third year, often with a food company or health authority, to enable you to gain valuable practical experience so enhancing your education and improving future employment prospects. Some graduates find work with the placement provider after graduation. Placements are usually in the UK although there may be opportunities overseas.

Professional accreditation

This course is recognised by the Institute of Food Science and Technology.

Career opportunities

This course has been designed to meet the requirements of the Nutrition Society's Public Health Nutrition accreditation requirements.

The broad base of the course offers a wide variety of career opportunities in nutrition and health promotion, the food industry and teaching, for example. For those with an interest in dietetics, the course provides a basis for entry to professionally accredited postgraduate courses.

Entry requirements

To enter Year 1, you're expected to have GCSE English (grade C or above) and to have studied at least one science subject (chemistry or biology) at Level 3 (for example A level, BTEC ND, ACCESS, IB). We consider advanced entry directly into Year 2 if you have good grades in a Level 4 or 5 qualification (for example HNC, HND) in a related subject.

You're normally invited for an interview, when you can also see our excellent facilities and meet staff and students. You then receive an individual offer. If you can't come for an interview, a typical offer might be 280 tariff points.

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