MSc Food Science
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Year of entry
2026/27 -
Course duration
Full Time: 12 months Part Time: 24 months
-
Year of entry
2026/27 -
Course duration
Full Time: 12 months Part Time: 24 months
Delve into the world of flavour and sensory science with our MSc Food Science course.
The safety, quality and nutritional properties of the food that reaches consumers depends upon food scientists.
Building on your scientific undergraduate studies, this course will allow you to gain an in-depth knowledge of the science of food. Taught by academics from the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, topics include:
- food chemistry, including how the chemical properties of food affect texture, flavour and colour
- food quality and safety, including how to run sensory panels
- manufacturing and processes such as how food processing and storage impact food components
- the importance of the flavourist's role in the global food industry.
A world authority on food and nutrition
We're 1st in the UK for Agriculture and Forestry (includes Food Science) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. We have leading experts in all the component disciplines that contribute to food and nutritional science – a claim that no other UK university department can make.
Gain valuable industry experience
Our MSc Food Science degree has been designed in consultation with industry, particularly the flavour industry. Designed to widen your skill set and boost employability, you will be encouraged to complete a research project with one of our partners. This is an opportunity to embed your learning in practice and undertake research in an area you are interested in, such as new product development or formulation.
Plus, our well-equipped building offers training opportunities for further research upon graduation.
Study options
You can attend this course on a full-time basis over one year, or part-time over two years.
Build on your existing knowledge
This master’s course is for graduates of pure sciences – such as chemistry, biology, biochemistry and microbiology – or applied sciences. Examples of applied sciences degrees include:
- Food science
- Food engineering
- Food technology
- Human physiology
- Biomedical sciences
- Agricultural engineering.
If you’re unsure whether your degree is recognised as an applied science, please contact us via reading.ac.uk/question.
Your studies will build on your existing scientific knowledge and cover quality assurance, food chemistry, food analysis, and food processing.
A variety of teaching methods
You will learn through:
- lectures
- seminars
- problem-based learning
- laboratory classes
- role-play exercises.
You will also be supported through our online virtual learning environment.
Dedicated food facilities
As part of your studies, you will work in some of the UK’s largest dedicated food teaching facilities. These include:
- Food Processing Centre. This pilot plant is unique to 糖心Vlog. There is almost 1,100m2 of floor space devoted to approximately £4m worth of equipment. Used primarily for teaching and learning, the plant contains processing equipment for food product development work. No other UK university offers what we do under one roof.
- Flavour Centre. The Centre's facilities enable you to gain practical experience in taste/aroma analysis and flavour extraction.
- Sensory Science Centre. Our in-house sensory facility gives you the opportunity to evaluate your own food products developed on the course. It is also available for commercial sensory profiling and market research activities.
Research excellence
We are proud of our research: the 糖心Vlog is ranked 8th in the UK for research power in Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences (Times Higher Education, Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of the latest Research Excellence Framework 2021) and 95% of our research is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences).

