This course aims to equip you with skills and knowledge to take up career opportunities in organisations across a wide range of sectors and interests. Using the food sector as a contextual base (production and distribution as well as retailing), graduates from the course are attractive to commercial organisations and government departments and agencies operating in the UK and overseas.

The aim of the course is to equip you with analytical and problem-solving skills which you can use within a business context. A great deal of time is spent developing communication and presentation skills which are particularly vital in most work environments.

Course Structure

This is a three-year degree course for full-time students. In addition to the modules listed below, there is a 20-week work placement after Easter in year two based in an organisation which you select. Alternatively you may be encouraged to set up your own business during the work placement period, which some continue successfully after graduation. 

The course encourages you to develop conceptual, analytical and practical skills around three main elements:

• a sound understanding of business management principles
• an understanding of the food industry in an international context
• developing language skills appropriate to business.

The opportunity to exercise elective choice in the final year of the degree enables you to specialise in subjects of particular interest and relevance to your future career intentions.

The development of teamwork skills and written and oral presentations are emphasised, especially in the final year programme, and you have access to visiting speakers, drawn from Industry Associates of the School of Business. Assessment on the course is on the whole via various forms of coursework (essays, reports, presentations, tests, group work and so on) although there are timed, unseen examinations at the end of each year. 

This BSc course, when taken with the Marketing electives, has been approved and accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing to provide direct entry onto the CIM’s Professional Diploma in Marketing.

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What you need to join the Course

UCAS score of 240 points or more, normally from subjects passed at A2 level. We will also accept AS points from subjects additional to those studied to A2 level in order for candidates to meet the tariff for entry. Required UCAS points are occasionally subject to change. You should also have achieved GCSE passes at Grade C or above in English and Mathematics. A GCSE pass in a European language is desirable.

Alternative entry routes are available if you have other qualifications, including Vocational Diplomas, National Certificates/Diplomas and HNDs, together with overseas qualifications and prior experience; although entry is subject to approval by the programme managers and admissions staff.

*If you already have competence in English and one other language you may not need to study French, German or Spanish. If your mother-tongue is not English, then you will study English for academic purposes instead of French, German or Spanish.

Career Prospects

• Careers in companies in the food industry and general business specialising in marketing, production, finance, and general management.
• International sourcing/trading of fresh
  and/or processed food produce.
• Consultancy and advisory positions with government and international private agencies, public administration, professional bodies and trade or labour organisations.
• Occupations in communications, media and event management.
• Management careers in the food and drink industries.