Department of Food and
Nutritional Sciences
MSc Food Technology –
Quality Assurance
at Reading
Entry requirements
We seek to recruit highly motivated,
well-qualified and able students who
have already demonstrated an ability
to understand scientific concepts at
degree level. We require applicants
to have at least an upper secondclass honours degree in a pure or
applied science, or an equivalent
qualification.
International applicants are required
to have an International English
Language Testing System (IELTS)
score of at least 6.5 or equivalent.
To find out more about the
application process and download an
application form, see the University
website at www.rdg.ac.uk/Study/
apply/study-pg-before.asp
Ensuring a supply of safe food which meets consumers’ expectations for quality
is a demanding task for today’s manufacturing industry. Industry and governments
need highly qualified staff that can combine knowledge of the science and technology of food with an ability to apply and maintain advanced quality systems meeting
international expectations. Our MSc Food Technology – Quality Assurance
programme is designed to meet this need.
The course
Our MSc Food Technology – Quality Assurance programme is challenging
and practical and demands a good grasp of science. It is a 12-month programme
beginning in October each year and culminating in an individual research project
to be submitted in September.
The course enables graduates to acquire the technical and professional skills for a
career in either the food industry or a government food control authority through
an understanding of the sciences underlying food technology together with
a comprehension of food quality assurance.
The expected outcomes for graduates are:
•a knowledge and competence in the principles of quality assurance and
quality management systems as they are applied in the food manufacture
and distribution to produce safe food meeting quality and legal requirements;
•an understanding of the chemical, biological and physical principles which
underlie food processing and storage;
•an ability to apply the principles of chemical analysis, microbiology and
statistical control techniques to assure the quality and safety of food;
•a capacity to undertake research into the science of foods;
•critical, presentational and interpersonal skills.
Taught modules include: Food quality assurance and safety, Chemistry of food
components A, Food analysis, Food processing, Introduction to food microbiology, Advanced issues in food quality assurance, Risk analysis in the food chain,
Sensory attributes of food, Entrepreneurial management for food scientists,
either Chemistry of food components B or Economic manufacturing.
Why Reading?
Food and Nutritional Sciences at Reading are unique. Reading has the largest
department of its kind in the UK and we are recognised for the quality of our
teaching and research in many aspects of food and nutrition. We have leading
experts in all of the component disciplines under one roof – no other UK
department can make this claim.
Expertise
You will be taught by acknowledged world authorities in areas as diverse as food
quality assurance and legislation, food analysis, food processing, microbiology
and sensory analysis. The Department was recognised for the internationally
competitive excellence of our research in the last Research Assessment Exercise.
Campus
Reading boasts one of the most attractive university campuses in the UK.
Situated to the South of Reading town centre, the campus has lakes, woods and
extensive sports facilities. The town centre offers a wide choice of shops, cinemas
and nightlife to suit most tastes. There are also good transport links to London
as well as Gatwick and Heathrow airports.
A friendly and cosmopolitan student community
The University community is vibrant, open and friendly with students
and student societies from a wide range of nationalities and cultures.
There are currently students at Reading from over 130 countries.
Modern facilities
The teaching laboratories of the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences
are purpose-built, providing pilot-scale food processing equipment, a full range
of IT services and software as well as scientific equipment.
A supportive learning environment
Our aim is to ensure that every student achieves his or her full potential
at graduation and that you leave us with the same enthusiasm for the subject that
we share. You will be supported throughout your course by a Programme Director
and by a whole range of other dedicated support facilities.
Teaching in English
Obviously all our teaching is in English which gives international students the
added bonus of greatly improving their English skills – vital with a global food
market. However, the University also provides a range of support services from
pre-sessional courses to an In-sessional English Support Programme.
Career prospects
There are many exciting challenges currently facing the food industry and the
food technologists that it employs. Governments are also keen to ensure that
national food control systems are effective in providing consumer protections
using modern techniques.
MSc Food Technology –
Quality Assurance
at Reading
For more information,
please contact:
Dr David Jukes, MSc Admissions Tutor
Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences
University of Reading
Whiteknights
Reading RG6 6AP
d.j.jukes@reading.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0) 118 378 6531
Fax +44 (0) 118 931 0080
www.reading.ac.uk/food
We have established an international reputation for our ability to equip our
graduates with appropriate skills in food technology and the application of
food quality systems. Our graduates can therefore expect to find themselves
in demand from employers and often have to choose from several excellent job
offers. Recent graduates from Reading have gained employment with a wide
range of food companies, with government departments having responsibilities
for national food control and with companies providing consultancy in,
and auditing of, food quality systems.