Food Engineering Courses in UK

Food Engineering Courses in UK

Food engineering studies designing processes, packaging, and production techniques for effective food production. The food industry is a fast-developing and well-established sector that offers various specialisations and opportunities to international students. If you wish to pursue a career in the food industry, here’s everything you should know about food engineering courses in the UK.

Food engineering in the UK: Key highlights

Course typeFull-time
Course durationPostgraduate degree: 1-2 years
Doctoral degree: 2 years
Entry requirements for a food engineering degreeUndergraduate degree: A student with a subject background in Chemistry, Physics, Maths, and Biology. 
Postgraduate degree: A student with an undergraduate degree in food engineering, food technology, food science, food chemistry, or other related courses. 
Doctoral degree: A student with a postgraduate degree in food engineering, food technology, food science, food chemistry, or other related courses.
English proficiencyIELTS: 6.5
TOEFL: 85
PTE: 68
Fees range£7,000-£28,000

Data updated as of October 2023

Food engineering: An overview

  • Food engineering is the study of systems used in food manufacturing, production, quality, preservation, packaging, logistics and distribution. The field of study serves as the backbone of the food industry.
  • Food engineers can obtain employment opportunities in various specialisations in various sectors like agriculture, food product development, manufacturing, and sales and marketing.

Food engineering subjects

Food engineering introduces students to various specialisations in the food industry, helping them learn and discover their field of interest. Here are some common subjects you can expect to study while pursuing food engineering.

  • Food processing
  • Food packaging and technology
  • Food microbiology
  • Food biochemistry
  • Food safety and hazard analysis
  • Food chemistry
  • Food science
  • Bakery and confectionary technology
  • Food process engineering

Why study food engineering in the UK?

  • The UK is home to some of the finest educational institutions, offering great education and state-of-the-art facilities for students to gain the required skills and knowledge to excel in their field of study.
  • The country has a well-established food industry, offering an excellent academic experience and opportunities for international students.
  • The food and beverage sector contributes 19% of the total manufacturing sector in the UK, making it the largest in the country. The industry has a turnover of around GBP £105 billion and has a high employment rate with over 430,000 people. 

Best countries to pursue food engineering

Different levels of study for food engineering courses in the UK

Eligibility requirements to study food engineering in the UK

The UK is home to some great educational institutions that offer courses on different specialisations related to the food industry. The courses are structured to help students gain the required knowledge and skills and prepare for their careers. When applying for a course, make sure that you satisfy the eligibility criteria before submitting your application.

Here are the basic eligibility requirements for a food engineering degree in the UK.

Eligibility criteria for food engineering courses in the UK

FactorEligibility criteria
Educational qualificationUndergraduate degree: A student with a subject background in Chemistry, Physics, Maths, and Biology.
Postgraduate degree: A student with an undergraduate degree in food engineering, food technology, food science, food chemistry, or other related courses.
Doctoral degree: A student with a postgraduate degree in food engineering, food technology, food science, food chemistry, or other related courses.
English proficiencyIELTS: 6.5
TOEFL: 85
PTE: 68
VisaUK student visa

Data updated as of October 2023

Note: The minimum grades and educational requirements differ with every university. Make sure to check if your scores meet the institution’s standards.

Student requirements to pursue higher education in the UK

Once you meet the eligibility criteria, the university will need some of your documents to proceed with your application. Here are some of the standard documents requested by UK educational institutions.

  • Academic transcripts
  • Application form
  • CV
  • Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
  • English language proficiency test scores
  • Statement of purpose
  • Admission exam results

Visa requirements for international students to study in the UK

VisaCost
UK student visa (outside UK)GBP £363

Data updated as of October 2023

Documents required for international students to apply for a visa in the UK

  • Your passport
  • Proof of financial support
  • Written consent from the financial sponsor
  • A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider
  • Your tuberculosis test results
  • Parental or legal guardian consent (if the international student is under 18)
  • Proof of parental or legal guardian relationship (if the international student is under 18)

Top food engineering universities in the UK

UniversityTimes Higher Education Ranking 2024
University of Nottingham130
Heriot-Watt University351-400
Teesside University1001-1200

Data updated as of October 2023

Top food engineering courses in the UK

  • MRes in Yeast Research
  • MSc Food Process Engineering
  • MSc Food Processing Engineering
  • MSc Food Engineering and Technology
  • MSc Food Processing Engineering (With Advance Practice)
  • MRes in International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD)

Cost of studying food engineering in the UK

Fees for food engineering courses in the UKAverage fees
Minimum fees£7,000
Maximum fees£28,000

Data updated as of October 2023

What is the cost of living for international students in the UK?

The average annual cost of living for an international student in the United Kingdom is around GBP £16,000.

Data updated as of October 2023

Scholarships for food engineering courses in the UK

Scholarships are a type of financial grant for students that reduces a certain amount of their tuition fees. These aids ease their expenses while pursuing higher education. Edvoy has partnered with educational institutions in the UK to provide grants for international students enrolling to study abroad.

Academic Scholarships

Academic scholarships offer grants to international students with impressive academic performance. Universities consider students with the desired academic achievements and award scholarships based on their grades.

Early Bird Scholarships

Early Bird scholarships provide aid to international students who accept the institution’s offer and pay a certain amount of tuition fees within a given time. These scholarships reduce student expenses by waiving a certain amount of tuition fees.

Note: Edvoy acts as a platform for you during the application process. Only the university deems your profile eligible and determines the final amount.

Job opportunities for food engineering graduates in the UK

The food industry has various specialisations and opportunities, making it one of the fastest-developing sectors in the global market. Students can choose any sector of their interest and explore a wide range of opportunities in the field.

How much does a Food Engineer earn in the UK in 2023?

The food industry plays a vital role in the global market, offering plenty of opportunities for graduates. The average annual salary of a Food Engineer in the UK is around GBP £37,567.

Fresh graduates earn around GBP £34,000 in entry-level roles, while experienced Food Engineers earn up to GBP £47,915 a year.

Data updated as of October 2023

Top career options for food engineering graduates in the UK

  • Food Engineer
  • Food Scientist
  • Food Technologist
  • Food Safety Auditor
  • Food Hygiene Specialist
  • Quality Engineer
  • Product Development Engineer
  • Food Process Engineer
  • Packaging Engineer
  • Research Scientist
  • Academic Lecturer

UK post-study work permit for food engineering graduates

CountryName of post-study work visaTime of stay in the country
UKGraduate visa2 years

Data updated as of October 2023

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Food engineering courses in the UK

Food engineering has plenty of perks and opportunities for international students in the global market. Students can choose their specialisation and excel in their field of interest as the industry is fast-developing and is in constant need of fresh, passionate minds. Here are the top food engineering degrees in the UK.

FAQ

Here are some of the top food engineering courses in the UK.

  • MSc Food Technology
  • MSc Food Engineering
  • MRes in Yeast Research
  • MSc Food Process Engineering
  • MSc Food Engineering and Technology
  • MRes in International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD)

Here are some food engineering subjects you can expect to study while pursuing the course.

  • Food processing
  • Food chemistry
  • Food microbiology
  • Food biochemistry
  • Food process engineering
  • Food safety and hazard analysis
  • Food packaging and technology
  • Bakery and confectionary technology

Here are the top career options for food engineering graduates in the UK.

  • Food Engineer
  • Food Scientist
  • Food Technologist
  • Food Safety Auditor
  • Quality Engineer
  • Product Development Engineer
  • Food Process Engineer
  • Packaging Engineer

The average annual salary of a Food Engineer in the UK is GBP £37,567. Fresh graduates earn around GBP £34,000, while experienced Food Engineers earn up to GBP £47,915 a year.

Average fees for food engineering courses in the UKAverage fees
Minimum fees£7,000
Maximum fees£28,000

Highlights

  • Institutions offering the courses
    Institutions offering the courses
    100
  • Count of PG courses
    Count of PG courses
    3
  • Count of Doctorate courses
    Count of Doctorate courses
    2
  • Fee range (min-max)
    Fee range (min-max)
    £7,000 - £28,000

Countries with Food Engineering courses