Course Aim

The Honours Degree in Food Technology has been designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to enter a competitive global food processing industry at trainee/junior manager level.

Course content

Students undertake core subjects in years one and two and select optional subjects in the third year to allow a degree of specialisation.

Level 4

• Food industry in practice
• Inroduction to Food Nutrition
• Food production and society
• Food science
• Human resource management
• Introduction to food manufacture and quality systems
• Management information systems
• Packaging Fundamentals

Level 5

• Food business financial management
• Food design
• Food industry packaging
• Food processing and preservation
• Food manufacture
• Management of organisational performance
• Work placement (12 weeks or 48 weeks)

Level 6

• Advanced food manufacture
• Lean manufacture
• Quality management
• Research and development; methodology and problem solving
• Research project

plus one of the following module options:

• Entrepreneurship
• Food technology developments

Placement

Students who opt for the three-year course will spend 12 weeks between Levels 5 and 6 on work placement in a food business.

Students undertaking the four-year course will complete a one-year placement in the food industry during year three of the programme. On successful completion of the 48 week placement a Diploma in Industrial Studies will be awarded.

The work placement encourages students to develop practical and managerial skills, and gives them the opportunity to demonstrate transferable skills in ICT, problem solving and communication. Students can complete their work placement locally or abroad.

Entry requirements

'A' Level

240 UCAS tariff points at A2 level to include a Grade B in either Home Economics or a Science subject plus four GCSE subjects at Grade C or higher including a Science subject, Mathematics and English Language or equivalent.

Irish Leaving Certificate

Equivalent to 240 UCAS points to include two science subjects at Higher level or equivalent.

National Diploma

Overall grade of Merit, Merit, Distinction.

Progression from HND

Applicants with a relevant Foundation Degree / Higher National Diploma / Certificate may be admitted to Level 5 of the Degree.

Additional qualifications

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

• Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, Food Safety Certificates
• Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, Foundation Certificate in Health & Safety in the Workplace

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

Careers

This course provides students with the competences to enter into the industry in a range of managerial posts in areas such as production, quality, technical, food packaging, and product development in food and drink manufacturing and related sectors.