Food Science
About this course
MSci, BSc in Food Science, a food science and nutrition degree centred on the study of food composition, safety, processing and human nutrition. Core topics include Research Methods. The course includes access to specialist research facilities and draws on research activity within the School of Food Science and Nutrition. The first year covers foundational principles through Food: Past, Present and Future, Introduction to Human Nutrition, Academic and Professional Skills, Food Safety and Preservation, Biochemistry of Food and Nutrients, and Understanding Data. The second year progresses to Advanced Food Biochemistry, Food Processing, Colloids in Food Products, Food Analysis, Professional Development and Research Methods, Introduction to Food Product Development, and Advanced Food Safety and Quality Assurance. The third year involves Food Product Development: Interdisciplinary Team Project, How Ingredients Interact in Foods, Food Industry Management, Critical Appraisal of Scientific Literature, Digital Tools for Food Solutions, Food Biotechnology, Food Science and Nutrition Research: Recent Revelations and Disputes, Functional Foods, and Nutrition and Health. The fourth year concludes with specialized topics and major investigative tasks including Capstone Project: Research and Discovery, Problem Solving: Functionality of Ingredients in Food Design, Nutrition Across the Lifespan, Sensory Science, Advanced Food Biotechnology, Food Science and Nutrition Research: Recent Revelations and Disputes, Food Systems and Sustainability, and Nutrition and Health.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAB BTEC: 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. IB: 6,6,5 at higher level including two science subjects (at least one from Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics).
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What students say
Based on about 11 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 85%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 78%
- Academic support: 92%
- Organisation and management: 81%
- Learning resources: 86%
- Student voice: 77%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 12 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Engineering professionals: 35%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 15%
- Skilled trades occupations: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 95%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 75%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 40 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 5%
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 25%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 15%
- South East: 20%
- South West: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 85%
- Other HE qualification: 15%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST).
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Food: Past, Present and Future
- Introduction to Human Nutrition
- Academic and Professional Skills
- Food Safety and Preservation
- Biochemistry of Food and Nutrients
- Understanding Data
- Advanced Food Biochemistry
- Food Processing
- Colloids in Food Products
- Food Analysis
- Professional Development and Research Methods
- Introduction to Food Product Development
- Advanced Food Safety and Quality Assurance
- Food Product Development: Interdisciplinary Team Project
- How Ingredients Interact in Foods
- Food Industry Management
- Critical Appraisal of Scientific Literature
- Digital Tools for Food Solutions
- Food Biotechnology
- Food Science and Nutrition Research: Recent Revelations and Disputes
- Functional Foods
- Nutrition and Health
- Does target moisture effect textural and colour properties of plant-based meat analogues?
- The association between vitamin D and body weight in children: a systematic review
- The effects of climate change on wheat yields in the United Kingdom.
- A scoping review including initial experimental analysis into the extraction, characterisation and quantification of polyphenols and methylxanthines in commercially available raw chocolate using spectrophotometry and RP-HPLC.
- Exploring the usage of DNA immuno-nanodecoder technology to improve multiplex immunofluorescence imaging in food science and biotechnology.
- Capstone Project: Research and Discovery
- Problem Solving: Functionality of Ingredients in Food Design
- Nutrition Across the Lifespan
- Sensory Science
- Advanced Food Biotechnology
- Food Science and Nutrition Research: Recent Revelations and Disputes
- Food Systems and Sustainability
- Nutrition and Health
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of Food Science at University of Leeds earn?
The median salary is £31,000 after 15 months, £27,000 after 3 years, £34,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £40,500. The £34,000 median after five years is £2,000 more than the UK median for Food sciences.
What do graduates of Food Science at University of Leeds do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on Food Science at University of Leeds?
85% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for Food Science at University of Leeds?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 154 UCAS points.
Is Food Science at University of Leeds accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST).
Does Food Science at University of Leeds include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on Food Science at University of Leeds?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.