Food Science BSc (Hons)
Course Code
UCAS Code: DB64
International Code: HLSU243
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
Start date
September 2022
January 2023
Course overview
Study level: Undergraduate
Focused on food production, new product design, food analysis and food safety, our course provides an opportunity to prepare for a career as a food scientist in the largest manufacturing industry in the UK.
Additional key points:
- Ranked No.6 for Food Science in The Complete University Guide 2021
- Accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology
- Gain hands-on experience of a wide range of industry techniques in our state-of-the-art laboratories based in the multi-million-pound Alison Gingell Building.
- Support applying for short and long-term placements in laboratory and industrial settings to gain the experience employers desire*.

Global Ready
An international outlook, with global opportunities
Teaching excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
Employability
Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeedWhy you should study this course
According to the Department for International Trade, the food and drink industry is the largest manufacturing industry in the UK. Focused on food production, new product design, food analysis, and food safety, our course provides an opportunity to develop an understanding of the complex commercial nature of this industry, as well as the interactions between food composition, metabolism, diet, health, and consumer science.
You’ll gain hands-on experience of a wide range of techniques, such as sample extraction, purification and analysis, in our well-equipped laboratories, based in the multi-million-pound Alison Gingell Building. Specialist industry-standard facilities include analytical equipment such as GC, GC-MS, ICP and HPLC, in addition to access to food science facilities for rheological and texture profile analysis of food and drink as well as tasting sessions. This focus on practice-led teaching means you will have opportunity to develop the analytical and practical skills required by employers – working with accuracy and precision to obtain data and results relevant to the skills being taught.
Our current experienced teaching team bring a range of professional and research expertise into their teaching. Having worked as food scientists, public and environmental health professionals and nutritionists for both governmental and local councils as well as working in the food industry, they maintain links with major food retailers and manufacturers, to help ensure you receive up-to-date information and can help you begin to establish your professional networks.
Their research regularly informs your teaching by bringing real life examples and case studies into lecture discussions and tutorials and you may also have the opportunity to take part in staff research projects during your final year (subject to availability). Our current lecturers have experience of research in food chemistry/biochemistry, food science and technology, analytical and instrumental analysis, food microbiology and gut microbiota, food quality, assurance and safety inspection, nutrition and dietetics, coeliac disease and the gluten-free diet, probiotics and immune function.
for Food Science in
The Complete University Guide, 2021
Accreditation and Professional Recognition
This course is accredited and recognised by the following bodies:

Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST)
Food Science BSc (Hons) is accredited by the IFST (Institute of Food Science and Technology).
What you'll study
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
How you'll learn
Our teaching methods include lectures, seminars, tutorials, group work and practical skills sessions. Practical sessions will be taught in our SuperLab, analytical and food science laboratories, where you will work with a range of ingredients and use small scale food processing equipment that reflects the facilities found in industry.
Throughout the course, you will have opportunities to receive insight from the latest research and input from current practitioners. Recent sessions have included guest speakers who are well respected industry consultants and subject experts. We will also discuss current global issues and trends in food and nutrition, such as food security, sustainability and diseases.
In a typical teaching week, you will have around 18 contact hours of teaching. This includes workshops, online tutorials, seminars and lectures. In addition, you will be expected to undertake a further 18 hours of self-directed study each week.
The university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2020/2021 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include coursework, tests, essays, presentations and posters, practical or project work, formal examinations and group work.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
Job ready
This degree aims to provide students who wish to work in any part of the food chain process, including the areas of food and nutritional sciences, with the knowledge and skills to evaluate and analyse food in respect of safety, quality and nutrition, and to be able to consider how to protect and promote health in our modern society.
You will be encouraged to take a year out by applying for a work placement or completing a summer internship*. Both of these activities allow you to demonstrate to potential employers that you can apply your skills and knowledge.
International experience opportunities
Our placement/study abroad option allows a full year work placement, which can be taken abroad, or you can undertake a study year abroad*. Previous students in our school have been successful in securing places to study in Spain, France, Canada and the US.
This course attracts many international students, providing a diverse learning experience. This enhances the discussion of issues such as globalisation of foods and provides all students with a global perspective of developments in food, health and nutrition.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
2022/23 Tuition fees
Student | Full time | Part time |
---|---|---|
UK | £9,250 per year | Not available |
International | £16,650 per year | Not available |
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
Facilities

SuperLab
The Alison Gingell Building contains a state-of-the-art SuperLab. The lab's facilities include equipment for microscopy, DNA testing and more.

Specialist equipment
Specialist industry-standard facilities include analytical equipment such as Gas Chromatography and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography machines. You will also have access to facilities for texture profile analysis of food and drink.

Academic support
No matter which degree you’re studying, you’ll find a lot of support on campus including the Centre of Academic Writing and sigma, which offers mathematics and statistics support.
Careers and opportunities
The food industry encompasses a wide range of businesses, from some of the largest global multinational companies to a vast array of small to medium enterprises, involving manufacturing, processing, developing, importing and exporting.
Food affects every person every day and, as such, there is a large regulatory framework overseeing the food industry. Graduates are needed across the food chain from raw material inspection, production and processing through to final product evaluation.
A wide range of potential career opportunities may include fields such as food analysis and safety, nutritional design of food, public health promotion, quality assurance, food production, market research, media health journalism, biological and analytical research and postgraduate study. A large regulatory framework oversees the food industry, with roles for food inspectors and analysts within regulatory bodies.
Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and aims to give you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university's Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.
How to apply
-
UK Students
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS. Part-time students should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
-
International Students
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
You may also like

Dietetics BSc (Hons)

Food Safety, Inspection and Control BSc (Hons)

Nutrition and Health BSc (Hons)
Discover Uni stats
-
Disclaimer
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2021/22 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
Tuition fees
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
Facilities
Facilities mentioned on this page may not be relevant for every course. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Placements and study abroad opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
Additional costs
This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to), equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas).