BSc in Food Science and Nutrition

The BSc in Food Science and Nutrition degree program is about gaining 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. color and surface qualities, texture, flavor, and odor) 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 minimized.

Nutrition concerns the nutrient supply from foods necessary to support the human body in health and during ill health throughout all life stages. This degree emphasizes the inter-relationship between these areas and their equal importance in food production.

Food Science And Nutrition Degree Highlights

Our new School of Biological Sciences building in Chlorine Gardens provides a high-tech learning environment and allows us to create a unique experience for our students.

Professional Accreditations

• The program has undergone a professional accreditation process overseen by the Institute for Food Science and Technology (IFST). This provides quality assurance that the program offers students ‘the best possible food-related education’.
• All students undertake the Level 3 Award in Food Safety Supervision for Manufacturing as part of the module Food Commodities, Processing, and Hygiene.
• The Food Standards Agency (NI) awards a prize for the highest marks in Food Science and Nutrition in Stage 3. Yakult sponsors a prize for the best Honours project completed by a food student and Safe Food provides a prize for the best essay in the final year module ‘Food Supply Chain Safety and Security.

Career Development

• Work placements in these programs provide students with the opportunity to utilize 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 at 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 organizations 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.

Queen’s University Belfast is ranked in the Top 200 Universities in the World (QS World University Rankings 2019)

140 in the world for graduate prospects (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020)

Founded in 1845 as Queen's College Belfast, one of three Queen's Colleges in Ireland, it became an independent university in 1908 and is the ninth oldest university in the UK. Today, Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group, combining excellence in research and education with a student-centred ethos.

Queen’s is ranked 8th in the UK for Research Intensity (REF 2014/ Times Higher Education) with over 75% of its research assessed as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in REF 2014.

We’re A Global University

Students enjoy being educated by world-leading academics working at the forefront of their disciplines and a significant investment in the student experience has resulted in high levels of student satisfaction and employability rates.

Global Research Institutes

Building on its disciplinary excellence, the University has created four flagship Global Research Institutes which bring leading academics together to tackle some of the greatest global challenges of our time in the areas of: Global Peace, Security and Justice; Cyber Security; Health Sciences; and Food Safety.

The Faculty Of Medicine, Health & Life Sciences

The Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences at Queen’s deliver high quality, leading-edge education, through world-class staff, focused on the needs of society. We provide an educational experience that is research-led and enriches our students intellectually, socially and culturally.

Our hope is that students from around the world will join with us to both learn and also bring new ideas and approaches to help drive forward our ambitions to enhance and advance life. Queen's is at the heart of Belfast's culture, as well as its art and social scenes. We're proud to be part of a bustling, cosmopolitan city boasting a vibrant social life and rich cultural heritage.

Addressing Global Challenges

Through our education and research, we strive to address some of the world’s greatest challenges, our academic staff undertake world-leading research through our Schools and Global research institutes in Health Sciences and Global Food Security. This has resulted in new treatments for patients and greater levels of protection for the food we eat.

Faculty Schools

The School of Biological Sciences The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences The School of Nursing and Midwifery The School of Pharmacy