Course aim

The Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Food, Nutrition and Health, validated by the University of Ulster, has been designed to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to develop innovative, nutritious, safe healthy foods which meet consumer demands.

Course Content

Level 1

• Food industry in practice
• Food Science
• Human resource management
• Introduction to business management
• Introduction to food manufacture and quality systems
• Introductory Science
• Nutrition
• Packaging Fundamentals

Level 2

• Applied investigative project
• Food and health
• Food and the consumer
• Human physiology
• Work based learning

Placement

Semester one of the second year of this programme is dedicated to work placement. This allows students to develop technical and commercial expertise and at the same time complete an applied investigative project. Students can complete the work placement locally or abroad.

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff Points

100 tariff points, plus four GCSE subjects at Grade C including a Science subject, Mathematics and English Language or equivalent.

Irish Leaving Certificate

100 UCAS points equivalent, including two Grade C1s at Higher level or equivalent plus two Grade C passes at Ordinary level in English and Mathematics.

National Diploma

A National Diploma in an appropriate subject with at least one Merit eg Pass Merit Pass.

Additional Qualifications

During the course, students may have the opportunity to achieve additional, nationally recognised qualifications to complement their course, which can give them a competitive advantage in employment or career progression.

These qualifications include:

• Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, Food Safety Certificate
• Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, Foundation Certificate in Health & Safety in the Workplace
• Royal Society for Public Health, Level 2 Award in Healthier Food and Special Diets
• European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)

These programmes are classified as competency based courses and are widely recognised by the industry.

Careers

A wide range of posts are available in: product development, quality management, production management, raw materials/services procurement, logistics and supply chain management, retail store management, distribution and transportation management, food inspection, food buyers for retailers, education and training and research.