Food Science and Nutrition

We are #1 in the UK for Food Science teaching (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025) and #2 in the Complete University Guide 2026.

This degree programme is about gaining the knowledge and understanding of key areas in relation to food production and consumption.

Food Science concerns the ‘fitness for purpose’ of our food in terms of appearance (e.g. colour and surface qualities, texture, flavour and odour) and how these can be improved, alongside the physical, microbiological and chemical aspects of our food, which may be harmful to human health and how these can be minimised.

Nutrition concerns the nutrient supply from foods necessary to support the human body in health and during ill health throughout all life stages.

These degrees emphasise the inter-relationship between these areas and their equal importance in food production.

Professional Accreditations
The programme has undergone a professional accreditation process overseen by the Institute for Food Science and Technology (IFST). This provides quality assurance that the programme offers students ‘the best possible food-related education’.

We are very proud that our students have had notable successes in UK wide IFST competitions, including our student team who were Silver winners at Ecotrophelia UK 2024 , creating a cookie dough product made from brewers spent grain. Watch this video to hear Team NoDoh share their exciting competition experience at Nestle in England where they secured second place in the UK final by impressing the "Dragons" judging panel and received £1000 and a year's free IFST membership. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcIbK7J5iL4
https://www.ifst.org/organisations/accreditation-schemes/accreditation-degree-courses/accredited-degree-programmes

Career Development
Work placements on these programmes provide students with the opportunity to utilise the practical skills gained during the teaching of their degree and apply these in a work environment.

For many students this is the most important aspect of the degree, enabling them to experience the types of jobs which are available on graduation and through the preparation of CVs, interviews, etc. ensuring they are well prepared for the job market.

Our past students have gained work placement with organisations such as: Pepsico, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, The Food Standards Agency, Finnebrogue, Suki Tea, Dale Farm, Nestlé, Kerry group, Kraft Foods, Moy Park, Tayto, Hovis, Ulster Cancer Foundation, NI Chest, Heart & Stroke, hospital trusts and many more.

Further Study Opportunities
The opportunity to combine Masters level study with your undergraduate degree qualifies students to gain experience in Masters level research in their final year of study.