Studying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any arrangements put in place by the University for the 2021/22 academic year will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
You will study very broad subjects in your foundation year, which is designed to prepare you for a range of courses, not just one particular BSc degree. The design of the BSc (Hons) Food and Nutrition with a Foundation Year course has enabled the development of a suite of modules, which are fit for purpose and aligned with appropriate QAA benchmarks.
The educational and scientific ethos of the programme is to provide our students, who wish to work in any part of the nutrition support services or the food supply chain, with the knowledge and skills to evaluate and analyse food in respect of nutrition, quality and safety, and to be able to consider how to protect and promote the health of the global population.
Upon completion of your Foundation Year, if your chosen course is regulated by a professional body such as the HCPC, you will be required to successfully complete the University’s selection process for the specific programme which will include an interview in order to proceed onto year one of the full degree programme. Entry onto year one of the degree programme will also be subject to a satisfactory DBS and Occupational Health Assessment and spaces available on the course.
When you successfully complete your Foundation Year, you may be able to progress onto a range of Undergraduate courses at the School of Health Sciences. These include:
By studying a foundation year in Health Sciences, your first year will be spent learning a wide range of broad subject areas which then open up opportunities for you to specialise further in your next year – which would be the first year of a full degree programme.
You will study very broad subjects in your foundation year, which is designed to prepare you for a range of courses and not just one particular BSc degree.
So although you are studying a BSc in a specific course – BSc Food and Nutrition – the foundation year sets you up for a number of other possible degrees starting the following year. It may be that you don’t end up doing a degree in precisely the same subject as your foundation year.
This flexibility is one of the great things about the foundation year category - Health Sciences, allowing you to find out more about your interests and talents before focusing on a three year degree. The foundation year also helps us at BCU to make sure we help to match you to the degree that fits you best.
The course encompasses three distinctive themes:
This will enhance the career prospects of our students so they are well placed to consider employment in many aspects of food industry and food and nutrition research.
This will ensure that the needs of the local, national and international communities, food industry and public health sectors are addressed. In addition, our students will be well equipped for a career in the global and applied field of food and nutrition, where they will be required to deliver a professional, effective, innovative, competent and confident service to individuals, populations, industry and the public health sector.
The development of these skills and competencies is embedded in all the modules and are core to the learning and teaching strategies of this programme. We are placing great emphasis in supporting our students to develop their academic, professional and interpersonal skills in preparation for employment.
Evidence-based practical experience is embedded throughout the programme at all 3 levels. Such practical experience allows students to explore key insights into the discipline and gain relevant experimental and analytical skills important for food and nutrition scientists. In addition, a range of assessment methods across the programme will challenge and address their understanding as well as help develop a range of communication and professional skills developments.
The programme team have the passion, experience, knowledge and understanding to ensure excellence in the student learning journey
We are developing overseas links and partnerships which may result in opportunities for students to learn with peers from different countries and to undertake appropriate study abroad opportunities
The course is mapped against professional accreditation bodies such as The Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) and the Association for Nutrition (AfN)
Our graduates will be able to use their skills and competencies portfolio as evidence of practice if they so wish to support their voluntary registration applications
We encourage our graduate creativity, passion, commitment to support individuals, the food industry and public health sectors
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
88 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level |
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Level 2 Qualifications | ||
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UK Qualification | Requirements 2021/22 | |
GCSE |
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BTEC Level 2 Diploma |
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BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate |
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City and Guilds Level 2 Certificates in Adult Numeracy/ Adult Literacy |
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Functional Skills/ Essential Skills level 2 |
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Key Skills level 2 |
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Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level) |
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Scottish Intermediate 2 |
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Scottish Credit Standard Grade |
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Scottish National 5 |
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IELTS |
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Level 3 (and above) Qualifications | ||
UK Qualification | Requirements 2021/22 | |
A level and Advanced VCE |
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Access to HE Diploma |
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International Baccalaureate Diploma |
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Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) |
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OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma |
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OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma |
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Open University courses |
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Scottish Advanced Higher |
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T-Levels |
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Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate - Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) |
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Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – Core (awarded until 2016) ESW/KS Combined component |
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Other qualifications | ||
If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Recent relevant study to GCE A-level standard or above must have been completed within five years of the course intake date the applicant is applying for. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. |
Essential | ||
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EU/Non-EU (International) Qualifications | Requirements 2021/22 | |
IELTS | 6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands | |
International Baccalaureate Diploma | 24 points overall with grade 4 or above in at least one Higher Level subject from Group 4. |
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
For September 2021 entry we will be operating a ‘gathered field’ approach to applications. This is often used where the number of applications far exceeds the number of places available to make the admissions process more manageable – and to ensure places are offered to applicants on merit.
As a result, we will be working to the following timetable:
We offer a wide range of professionally accredited and vocational courses that require the purchase of, among other things, uniforms, equipment, subscriptions, professional body memberships and DBS checks, and may require you to pay to attend conferences or participate in placements.
The link below provides our estimate of the possible costs associated with key activities on specific courses. Please bear in mind that these are only estimates of costs based on past student experience and feedback. The actual costs to you could vary considerably (either greater or lower than these estimates) depending on your choices as you progress through the course. We set out where we can, based on experience, where these indicative costs are for activities that are optional or compulsory.
All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
Find additional costs for your course
The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
You have the flexibility to transfer to a standard undergraduate programme from the School of Health Sciences or the School of Nursing and Midwifery upon successfully completing your Foundation Year subject to DBS, Occupational Therapy Assessments and space available on the degree programmes, including:
Your learning is facilitated through an assortment of blended learning and teaching approaches. A mixture of theory and applied knowledge combined with online and web based resources are used to contribute to your overall learning experiences at the university. This will include class room sessions such as lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, PC labs, kitchen, food processing and practical laboratory sessions.
The style and delivery of these sessions will vary and will typically include information delivery, cooperative information gathering, reflective analysis, individual and team-learning activities and interactive online materials on the Moodle site.
We consider learning and teaching on the programme to be a cooperative process and it is expected that you will engage independently in pre-and post-session learning activities such as online quizzes; forum discussions; mathematical calculations, case studies, menu planning’s as well as developing your own e-portfolio of skills.
The knowledge gained in teaching sessions will be applied and enhanced in the food processing and kitchen and laboratory practical sessions. In addition to scientific investigation, you will gain practical skills and competencies to enable you to work safely and effectively in food processing, kitchen and a laboratory environment.Research and independent learning skills are essential and are developed throughout the course.
The Faculty has a range of postgraduate Masters and doctoral courses available if you wish to continue your studies.
You will be offered the opportunity to visit local food production plants .There will also be opportunities to visit trade shows related to the food industry.
Transferable employability skills are embedded throughout the programme enabling our students to succeed in their future careers across the food supply chain and beyond. There are modules in the programme that provide the students with opportunities to develop employability skills or as part of the skill modules.
Stakeholders and employers have been engaged in the early stages of the development of this programme to ensure improved links to practice and enhance the skills, competency and employability of graduates of the BSc (Hons) Food and Nutrition programme.
There is the option of completing a year in work placement opportunity, as part of the 4-year Sandwich Degree option, between Levels 5 and 6. The 60 (level 5) credits offered for this sandwich year are additional credits to the core degree and do not contribute towards the final award of BSc Food and Nutrition. An additional certificate of achievement will be issued in relation to this placement option.
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
There are a wide range of career opportunities available on graduation. Including food management and food production and technology. Gradates also can chose to take further training for careers such as food technologist, nutritionist or food scientist.
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
The creation of our new suite of courses in Sport and Life Sciences is yet another exciting development at Birmingham City University. The 10,500sq metre building at City South Campus will enable us to offer a wide range of new health, nutrition, biomedical science and sports courses, as well as providing a new home for our education programmes.
Not only are we investing £41 million in a new building to house the laboratories and teaching spaces needed, but we also plan to open up these facilities to benefit all students and the wider community. This will complement our existing sports facilities, which already provide a base for students to compete in activities ranging from rugby to jiu jitsu.
The courses will reflect the latest developments in our teaching and our focus on practice-led learning with work placements and live industry case studies incorporated into the curriculum. All courses have been co-designed with employers and are endorsed or accredited by professional bodies where appropriate.
By expanding our provision to these new areas, we will be helping to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing society today, such as obesity and unhealthy lifestyles, by encouraging and supporting healthy eating and greater physical activity.
In addition, we will be producing graduates who can support elite performers in meeting the UK’s ambitions for sporting success at events such as the Olympics and other world sporting tournaments. We are constantly looking to enhance the range of courses we offer - please check all our courses for the latest additions to our portfolio.
We have several Simulation men (SIM men) and Simulation babies (SIM babies) which are leading edge, anatomically correct mannequins used for teaching specific techniques such as advanced adult and paediatric life support skills, acute and high dependency clinical skills, first aid and communication skills.
SPACE is an innovative practice area all students can access to use equipment and resources to practise a wide range of skills in a safe, welcoming and supportive environment. It provides students with a creative learning environment to get the best educational experience before becoming a health care professional.
We offer up-to-date, innovative facilities that simulate the real situations that medical staff may come across. These resources are essential in offering students a hands-on introduction to health and social care practice.
Explore our facilities in 360 panoramas, including welcome videos from key members of staff and Health and Wellbeing student profiles.
Mark joined the Professional Development Department (PDD) in 2018 as a Professional Navigator and as a Academic Skills tutor. During this time he has been involved in the development and running of the Faculty of Health Education and Life Sciences Foundation Year as both a course leader and module leader. At current there are two iterations of the Foundation Year catering for intakes in September and January. The Foundation Year allows students to progress onto a variety of HELS undergraduate courses.
If you have any questions about this course, please contact the programme leader/admissions tutor, Dr Huda Al-Kateb.