MA English Literature
The MA in English Literature at the University of Reading offers a comprehensive and im...
BSc Food Business and Marketing with Placement Year
Reading
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
Throughout the course, students delve into the critical issues facing food businesses in the UK, Europe, and globally. The curriculum addresses topics such as rising costs, sustainability, and consumer health and wellbeing, ensuring that graduates are well-versed in current industry trends. A significant emphasis is placed on developing digital marketing competencies, enabling students to effectively engage with modern consumers.
Curriculum: The curriculum offers a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application. Students engage in real-world projects, such as contributing to the creation or launch of new food products and designing social media campaigns. Collaborative marketing projects involve mock consultancies, research proposal development, market research execution, and presentation of findings. In the final year, students undertake either an applied marketing project or an independent research project on a food-related topic of their choice, with past projects exploring areas like consumer attitudes towards plant-based foods and the influence of social media on young adults' food choices.
Research Focus: The program encourages students to engage in research that addresses pressing issues in the food sector. By undertaking independent research projects, students explore topics such as consumer behavior, sustainability, and health trends, contributing valuable insights to the industry.
Industry Engagement: A distinctive feature of this degree is the integrated, year-long work placement between the second and final years. Students have the opportunity to work in various roles, including food product development, account management, category management, brand development, and business administration. Past placements have been secured at renowned companies such as Unilever, Warburtons, and Waitrose. The program also facilitates industry interaction through field visits, guest speakers, and collaborative projects, ensuring that students gain practical experience and build professional networks.
Global Perspective: The University of Reading is recognized as the highest-placed UK university for Agriculture and Forestry, ranking 22nd globally in the QS World Rankings by Subject, Agriculture and Forestry, 2024. This global recognition reflects the university's commitment to excellence and provides students with a learning environment that is both internationally acclaimed and industry-relevant.
Location
Reading
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
£ 25250
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 70% or equivalent in their respective country's grading system.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 5.5.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 88.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 69.
- DET Academic: A minimum overall score of 125.
- Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
The University of Reading offers a variety of scholarships for international students to support academic excellence and financial needs.
Vice-Chancellor Global Scholarship Award: Merit-based scholarship for high-achieving international students. Covers partial tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Subject-Specific Scholarships: Offered by individual departments based on academic excellence and course selection. Examples include scholarships in Business, Law, Agriculture, and Science.
Chevening Scholarships: A UK government-funded scholarship for outstanding students from eligible countries. Covers tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.
Country-Specific Scholarships: Scholarships tailored for students from specific countries, including India, China, and the USA. Criteria vary based on nationality and academic performance.
Graduates of the BSc Food Business and Marketing with Placement Year program from the University of Reading have a wide range of career options available to them due to the interdisciplinary nature of the course, which blends food industry knowledge with core business and marketing skills. The placement year provides students with invaluable real-world experience, enhancing employability upon graduation.
Food Product Development: Graduates can work in food innovation, developing new products that meet consumer demands for health, sustainability, and taste. Roles in this field can be found at major food producers, startups, and research organizations.
Brand Management: Students trained in marketing and food business are well-positioned to take on roles in brand management, where they help shape and develop the public image and marketing strategies for food brands. Companies such as Unilever, Nestlé, and PepsiCo offer positions in this area.
Category Management: As a category manager, graduates can manage food product ranges, working closely with suppliers and retailers to maximize profitability. This role requires a combination of marketing skills, business strategy, and market analysis, all of which are covered during the course.
Sales and Account Management: Graduates can pursue careers in food sales, liaising between food producers and retailers or food service providers. Strong communication and negotiation skills are critical in these roles, and students will have developed these competencies throughout their studies.
Digital Marketing and E-commerce: With a focus on digital marketing strategies, the degree program equips graduates to work in e-commerce, social media marketing, or digital content creation within the food industry. Graduates can work with food brands, online food retailers, or digital marketing agencies.
Market Research and Consumer Insights: Market research is a critical aspect of the food industry, with businesses constantly seeking to understand consumer preferences and trends. Graduates can work as market researchers or analysts for food companies, research agencies, or consultancies.
Sustainability and Ethical Food Initiatives: There is an increasing demand for food business professionals who can drive sustainability and ethical practices in the industry. Graduates can pursue careers in sustainability, focusing on reducing food waste, improving food production processes, or managing sustainable food sourcing.
Supply Chain Management: Graduates can explore careers in supply chain management, focusing on the logistics of food production, distribution, and retailing. They can work in a variety of settings, from food manufacturing companies to retail giants like Tesco or Sainsbury's.
Entrepreneurship: The combination of food business knowledge and marketing expertise makes graduates ideal candidates for entrepreneurial ventures within the food sector. Whether launching their own food startup, creating a food brand, or consulting, the skills developed through the program offer a strong foundation for entrepreneurship.
