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2027/28

Food

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Food is fundamental to everyday life and our shared global future.

As one of the largest global industries, highly skilled food experts are consistently sought-after by employers.

The University of Reading is a top-ranked university for food. Whether you’re interested in a food and nutritional science or food business and marketing degree, you’ll discover unrivalled facilities, extensive support, and opportunities designed to help you succeed.

What you’ll learn

Our flexible degrees allow you to explore every aspect of food – including science, technology, nutrition and business. Alongside graduating with work-ready skills and experience, you’ll have the chance to build your professional network and links with industry throughout your studies.

Explore central issues within the food industry in preparation for a rewarding, exciting, and influential career in food:

  • Human health, nutrition and disease
  • Food product development
  • Food security
  • Food quality
  • Food marketing and business.

You’ll also have the flexibility to add a Placement Year or Foundation Year, tailoring your degree to your specific requirements and ambitions.

Strong rankings and outcomes

Our food and nutrition science students have excellent learning opportunities, graduate outcomes, and future earning potential:

  • 1st in the UK and 19th in the world for Agriculture and Forestry (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2026, which includes food).
  • 3rd in the UK for Nutrition and Food Science (Guardian University Guide, 2027).
  • 8th in the UK for Food Science (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2027).
  • 96% in work or further study (HESA 2026, Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2023/24, includes all UK domiciled first degree Food and Nutritional Sciences responders).
  • 3rd in the UK for graduate salaries, 13% above average (Telegraph analysis of DfE data on the earnings of first degree graduates after five years from English Higher Education Institutions, June 2026).
  • 100% agree that the course developed knowledge and skills needed for the future (National Student Survey, 2026).

Accredited programmes

At Reading, all of our courses are accredited by the appropriate industry body. Depending on the course, this includes the:

Courses

I have had a keen interest in nutrition and its impact on human health for several years. I chose Reading’s combined Nutrition & Food Science degree because I believe that to be able to understand nutrition and its impact on society today, it is necessary to understand the complete food chain as it operates from ‘farm to plate’. The combination of academic subjects and hands-on work in the department’s pilot plant was one of the aspects of the course that I particularly enjoyed.

Tina Eggers
BSc Nutrition and Food Science with Professional Training

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