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04th July 2023
Food science is a field dedicated to the science and technology of food. It’s relevant to a wide range of industries including the culinary and hospitality industries, as well as food product development, research and policy. Whether you want to be a chef, work in procurement or testing for a food company, or research and regulate food itself, food science is for you.
You might be wondering whether you need a food science degree to pursue your chosen career, what you can learn during your degree or what the entry requirements for postgraduate study are for food science.
This guide is designed to provide you with clear answers to all of these questions, so you can decide whether food science is for you and find your perfect study pathway.
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Food scientists are experts in the chemistry of food and the science of taste; during your studies in this field, you’ll learn about cooking, storing, serving and designing exciting, tasty, healthy and safe food products of all kinds.
It’s a popular study pathway for budding chefs, teaching them the foundations of gastronomy which will serve them throughout their careers. It’s also relevant for those who want to work in the commercial and industrial food production industries, as a clear understanding of the biochemistry of food, human nutrition and food supply chains is crucial to working in the sector.
Research and policy careers are also supported by studying food science at postgraduate level. It can often be the perfect way to specialise for graduates of chemistry or biochemistry who are interested in working specifically with food systems.
Food science is a technical subject that has a diversity of applications – whether you want to manage the ingredients and products that reach the shelves, or prepare, cook and serve a dish in a restaurant.
There are several different types of food scientist qualifications for you to consider, depending on your study objectives and previous experience in the field.
Short courses, including the postgraduate certificate and postgraduate diploma, are popular choices for professionals already working in the sector. It can allow you to quickly gain relevant knowledge and new technical expertise to support the next step in your career.
Taught master’s, typically an MSc or MA, provide a rigorous education in the field of food science – often covering everything from food chemistry to industrial processing, nutrition, food regulation and safety, and the science of taste. An MA is likely to focus more on the gastronomic aspects of the food industry, while an MSc can suit those wanting to work in industry, government or research roles.
Research qualifications, ranging from an MRes to a PhD, offer students the opportunity to use their knowledge of the field to focus on a certain area of investigation, producing new insights that have academic or industrial application.
Studying this subject at postgraduate level is a great way to prepare for a wide range of food science jobs. It’s a diverse industry that is always looking for talented graduates to work across production management, nutrition, technological innovation, quality control, regulation and more. You can expect your food scientist salary to increase as you gain experience and move into more senior roles in the sector.
Relevant positions include:
There are other positions that your postgraduate experiences will prepare you for beyond jobs in food technology. They include:
To get on to a food science course at postgraduate level, you’ll need to meet the entry requirements set out for that programme. These can vary depending on the type of qualification you’re applying for, as well as the university offering the course.
You’ll typically need an undergraduate honours degree in a relevant scientific field, food technology or gastronomy – normally at 2:2 level or above. In some instances, it’s possible to get a place without a previous higher-level qualification if you can provide evidence of relevant professional or industrial experience instead.
Some of the courses you could consider studying as a postgraduate food science student include:
Each food science qualification offers a unique blend of modules and learning approaches to suit your preferences and goals. However, in many cases you could expect to study topics such as:
Food science is a broad subject that gives students the opportunity to tailor their degrees to their interests, allowing them to gain specialist knowledge at postgraduate level and stand out to future employers.
Most students will build knowledge and professional skills in areas like food design and development, production processing, engineering of relevant technology and food safety. It’s also possible to learn about the sustainability, affordability and nutrition of food, as well as how different cooking processes affect the taste and texture of food.
Another area of focus is research skills in food science, while some students may focus on regulations and laws that govern the food production and culinary industries.
Typical soft skills that your studies will build include:
Teaching is typically through a mix of lectures, seminars and practical or laboratory sessions, as well as individual study. The weighting of each teaching type can often vary depending on the focus of your course.
A variety of assessment methods are used to evaluate students’ abilities during their studies. You can expect to complete closed and open book exams, written essays and reports, practical and laboratory assessments, group or individual presentations and research projects.
Food science courses vary in length, but for a taught or research master’s you can typically expect to study for one year full-time. As a part time student, your master’s will normally take two years. Short courses like the PGCert and PGDip can be completed in one to two semesters.
A doctorate in food science or food technology can take up to four years full time, or eight years part time.
There are currently more than 20 different food scientist qualifications you can select from at postgraduate level. These are offered at 14 different universities, providing a wealth of choice across locations in the UK.
Our university search tool brings all these options together in one place, making it easy to browse, filter and select your ideal study options before applying.
There are a few other subjects that you might want to check out before you commit to studying food science. Similar areas include:
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