Degree type: BSc (Hons)
UCAS Code: D610 BSc/FPD
Duration: 4 years (full-time)
BSc (Hons) Food & Consumer Science
BSc (Hons) Food, Nutrition & Health
BSc (Hons) Food Product Design
Why choose this course?
Food! Essential to life, our biggest industry, one of life’s greatest pleasures and arguably, the principal cause of disease. Food creates wealth, it is central to health and wellbeing but also raises many consumer concerns - issues of food safety, food security, food quality, diet-related disease and ethical food production. Merging of scientific, sociological and commercial perspectives provides critical understanding of the impact of these complex inter-relationships at all stages of the food supply chain and how consumer choice is influenced.
The relationship between food and health, which is ultimately shaped by consumer choice, together with quality and availability of food products, makes for a fascinating area of study.
In the first 2 years, subjects studied are varied and interdisciplinary. This broad-based approach provides the platform for specialised study at years 3 & 4, when you will follow a prescribed set of specialist modules and complete a semester-long work placement and an Honours Project in your chosen pathway.
You will learn how to produce safe, nutritious and appetising food, gain the skills required to design and launch new food products in the marketplace, and develop an in-depth knowledge of nutrition and critical understanding of the factors that affect consumer choice.
This skill set, combined with the knowledge and ability to help people make informed choices about what they eat and drink is key to many career opportunities in the food and health sector.
How you learn
Classes include a mix of lectures, tutorials, seminars and guest lectures, practical workshops, laboratory skills and computer-assisted-learning.
In years 3 & 4, project work, case studies and `live` projects help you to make the links between theoretical concepts and practice. Teamwork and confidence-building communication skills are integrated into some modules. We also organise industry visits and guest lectures to help you see the connections between theory and practice.
How you are assessed
We know that students learn in different ways so assessment is varied across modules. It includes coursework (such as practical assignments, problem-solving projects and laboratory reports), exams (open and closed book) and short answer class tests. Some projects include an element of team work, as well as individual contribution.
Minimum Entrance Requirements
Higher BBC; A Level CDD; ILC (H) BBC
Essential subjects: None
Applicants with non-standard qualifications and experience will be considered on an individual basis.
Advanced entry (Year 2)
Advanced entry is possible for applicants with suitable subjects at GCE A Level or Scottish Advanced Higher and offering approximately 300 UCAS points (eg: BBC at A Level or BBC at Advanced Higher, including Home Economics or Biology or Chemistry) from these qualifications. Each application will be considered on its own merits. If you would like us to consider you for advanced entry please contact the admissions tutor in the first instance to discuss your qualifications.
Overseas/EU
All applicants are required to provide certified proof of competence in English Language and the University's minimum requirements are listed here
Alternative Qualifications
Applications are generally assessed on the basis of standard school leaving qualifications such as SQA Highers or GCE A Levels. For those with alternative qualifications, consideration is given to professional qualifications or other forms of formal academic learning as well as experience gained that could provide evidence of ability to benefit from a particular course.
The successful completion of approved access courses such as the University's AHEAD programme, or those offered by further education colleges (such as those offered by Dundee College in association with the universities of Abertay, Dundee and St Andrews) provides significant evidence of ability to benefit from study at Abertay.
For further advice please use our Ask a Question section.
What our students say
“Choosing to study food and consumer sciences has been a great decision for me. It's a really varied course that has let me explore lots of areas of the food and drink industry.” Ann, Lanarkshire
“I've really enjoyed the modules where we've been able to do some food styling and photography and I love seeing the finished product displayed in the food & consumer science showcases.”
Morgan, Dundee
“I came to study Food, Nutrition & Health because I want to be a Home Economics teacher and I feel really confident that I am gaining all the skills I will need.”
Jonathan, Newcastle
“My biggest achievement so far was when I was offered the position as Brand Development Executive for the food marketing company in Angus where I had my placement.”
Alice, Borders
“From graduate to Quality Manager for a fresh foods processing company in one year – my degree was so worth it!”
Sylwia, Poland
Your future
If your interests lie in food promotion and marketing or food product design, nutrition research or home economics teaching, consumer advice or community nutrition, our degrees could be your passport to success. Your graduate CV will be enhanced by your work experience, portfolio of food photography, food writing, your nutrition resources and a range of examples of your contribution to team work and oral presentations – all skills that are valued by employers in the food and health sector.
Our successful graduates have job titles including recipe development technologist, food processing technologist, hygiene officer, food stylist, nutritionist, home economics teacher, community food worker, consumer advice officer, health promotion worker.
Professional accreditation
Our three degrees are approved by the General Teaching Council (GTC) for Scotland as suitable for entry to a PGDE (Secondary) Home Economics Course.
Specialist facilities
The University has invested heavily in state-of-the-art training facilities for our food and consumer sciences suite of courses. There are two training kitchens, a food testing laboratory, an anatomy and physiology laboratory as well as a food photography studio and a demonstration lecture theatre.
| Fee Category | September 2012 Fees |
Scholarships & Bursaries |
| Scottish and other EU students |
£1820 per year. Apply to the Student Awards Agency |
Other forms of support |
| English, Welsh and Northern Irish students |
£7000 per year (max. amount payable You can apply for financial assistance, |
Bursaries & Scholarships |
| Overseas (non EU) students |
£9975 per year. Fees may be subject to annual increase. |
Overseas Scholarships |
Fees shown are payable annually, and may be subject to increase each year.
