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Food Science

Course details
  • 3 Study options
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

The food industry is one of the largest in the world — with leading global corporations seeking qualified scientists who have the acumen to advance their products. Whether it’s enhancing the quality and safety of food products that interests you, or you’re keen to develop brand new products from concept to launch, the extensive skill set you’ll build on our Food Science MSc will open the door to many diverse career opportunities in this ever-evolving field.

From challenging current issues in food production to applying scientific concepts to grasp the complex characteristics of food, this programme will broaden your understanding of crucial areas in the food industry.

Our School of Food Science and Nutrition is home to world-leading research which has impacted key areas in food and directly informs the course, meaning you’ll be learning emerging innovations and issues in food science.

This means that, once you graduate, you’ll be fully equipped with the topical knowledge and advanced skills sought after by global companies in industry.

Studying an MSc in the School of Food Science and Nutrition at Leeds will also give you access to specialist facilities that’ll prepare you for working in the field and a programme team consisting of academics and researchers who work within the School’s research institutes and groups.

Why study at Leeds:

  • This Masters degree is accredited by the Institution of Food Science and Technology.

  • Our globally-renowned research feeds into your course and shapes your learning with the latest thinking in areas such as colloids and diary science (including plant-based dairy), food biochemistry, food safety and regulatory practice and novel food design.

  • Advance your knowledge and skills in critical areas sought after in industry, including food processing, microbiological and chemical food safety and the physical aspects of food.

  • Conduct your own independent research project as part of your course and gain industry experience in investigating an exciting real-world problem, mirroring the type of work you’ll be conducting in your professional career.

  • Access specialist facilities, including industry-grade equipment for investigating the colloidal nature of foods, small and wide-angle X-ray scattering equipment (SAXs & WAXS), electron microscopy facilities, texture analysers, tribometers and HPLC, LCMS and GC analytical equipment and computerised sensory testing.

  • Experience excellent practical and theoretical teaching delivered by a programme team with a wealth of expertise and strong industrial links.

  • Enhance your career prospects and join our successful alumni who have pursued careers in revered global companies including Nestlé, Britvic Soft Drinks and ASDA.

  • Master the most up-to-date practices and techniques recognised in industry on a course that has been directly informed and advised by the Industrial Advisory Board.

How to apply

Application codes

Institution code:
L23

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAB

AAB including two science subjects. At least one from: Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics. Other suitable science subjects include: Computer Science, Economics, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Marine Science, Psychology, Sociology, Sports Science and Statistics.

The WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Food Science and Nutrition with a distinction grade is considered a suitable science subject.

If you are studying any other social science, physical science, engineering or design subject, please contact our Admissions Team, who can advise on eligibility as a second science.

Where an A-Level science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A-Level at the stated grade.

Scottish Higher
AAABB

AAABB including 2 sciences at Advanced Higher, at least one of which must be Chemistry, Physics, Biology or Mathematics.

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 30 Merit: 15

Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, 30 credits with Distinction and the remaining 15 credits with Merit or above. The A2HE diploma must cover modules aligned with the subjects named in the A-level section.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 (C) or higher, or an equivalent English language and Mathematics qualification. We will accept Level 2 Functional Skills English instead of GCSE English.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

6,6,5 at higher level including two science subjects (at least one from Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics).

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDD

DDD in National Extended Diploma. We can also accept a combination of National Extended Certificates and A-levels. The BTEC, with or without combination A-levels, must cover modules aligned with the subjects named in the A-level section. We do not accept Health and Social Care, Animal Management or Sports and Exercise Science.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H2H2H2H2H3H3

AAAABB or H2H2H2H2H3H3 including two science subjects (including at least one of Chemistry, Physics, Biology or Mathematics).

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
D3D3M2

D3, D3, M2 including two science subjects (including at least one of Chemistry, Physics, Biology or Mathematics).

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate: We will accept the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate in lieu of a third A-Level at the same grade, assuming any subject specific requirements are met using alternative qualifications.

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/international-admissions/doc/entry-requirements

If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/language-centre/doc/undergraduate-pre-sessional-english

Entry requirements for students joining after Year 1: Satisfactory completion of Year 1 of a relevant degree course https://courses.leeds.ac.uk/i254/food-science-msci-bsc#entry

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications. If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

If the most common grade accepted is higher than our entry requirements, this is due to the attainment of our applicants. If you have been made an offer and you meet or exceed the grades of your offer, you will be accepted.

If grades lower than our entry requirements have been accepted, in most cases this is because we operate contextual admissions as part of our decision making, which considers factors beyond grades. For more information about contextual admissions, please visit our website.

Learn more on the University of Leeds website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.

Course options

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For further information please see http://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduatefees

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