Food Science

Food Science explores the composition of food and how people perceive and respond to it. It also covers food product development, processing, regulation and safety.

A person holding a notebook, with food and test tubes on a table in front of them.

Subject overview

Food Science combines knowledge from disciplines such as chemistry, biology, physics and engineering to help us understand how food behaves – from raw ingredients to the final product. Food Science plays a key role in improving food quality, ensuring safety, driving innovation in food production and addressing real-world challenges related to nutrition, sustainability and the global food supply.

Where can Food Science take you?

The food and beverage industry needs well-trained food science graduates who can help to ensure safe, innovative and high-quality food production. Research institutes and universities need well-rounded scientists to conduct cutting-edge basic and applied research.

A career in food research or the food industry involves meeting consumer demands for foods that are not only safe but healthy, sustainable, convenient and appealing to our senses. Your day-to-day work could include research, food and ingredient manufacturing, food safety, product development, sensory analysis or food analysis. An undergraduate degree in Food Science is also a stepping stone into further postgraduate study.

Explore your study options in Food Science