Gaining a food qualification to enhance career prospects

Do you want to be part of an industry where demand for technically qualified staff grows every year? Would you like to develop new foods such as a totally new chocolate bar or ready meal? If the answer to these questions is 'Yes', then this is the course for you!

The Foundation Degree is designed to give you a thorough grounding in a wide range of food related topics, as well as business modules. In addition, the Work Based Learning modules allow you to develop confident practical and supervisory skills which will stand you in good stead for a career in the food industry. The Food Department at Reaseheath is a Centre of Vocational Excellence in Food Chain Technology, and an Academy Training Centre for the National Skills Academy in Food and Drink.

The department is equipped with a food factory containing a wide range of food processing and analytical equipment. Products made by students are sold both at the College and in local shops. Additionally, students regularly enter cheeses in regional competitions.

The Department has excellent contacts with industry (both nationally and internationally) to help ensure that our courses are relevant to the needs of industry. A wide range of local and national companies use the facilities and expertise on offer in the department for trials and new product development work. These links benefit our students, who gain experience working on technical projects, and benefit from work placements with employers.

Students also have the opportunity to gain a range of secondary qualifications, including CIEH Level 4 Award in Food Safety.

At a glance...
Length of course
Two years full time (includes 10 week industrial placement between years 1 and 2) or three years sandwich course with one years' industrial placement.

Applications
Applicants to our courses will be considered on merit and it is the aim of the College to provide access to all those capable of success on their chosen course. Whilst 'A ' Levels and National Diplomas will still provide good guidelines as to the capabilities of younger entrants, adult candidates will find entry requirements less rigidly applied. Enthusiasm, experience and commitment will be taken into consideration.

Mature Applicants
We welcome applications from mature students and from those with non-standard academic backgrounds, or with other appropriate experience. All such applications are considered on an individual basis.

Further Study
Whilst the Foundation Degree in Food Industry with Management is a qualification highly valued by itself in the food industry, some students like to continue their studies by 'topping up' to Honours degree level study in related topics e.g. Quality Management, Food Marketing, HACCP or Business.

Career Options
The modern food industry is actively seeking graduates to join at supervisory and management levels. There is a wide variety of career pathways for graduates of this course. Starting salaries are high and there are excellent opportunities to progress your career.



Typical careers of graduates include

Production management: ensuring that orders are completed, whilst working to strict timescales;
Quality assurance: checking that the food is of a suitable quality and complies with all laws;
Technical management: managing food safety and quality systems;
Hygiene management: ensuring that high standards of cleanliness are maintained;
New Product Development: devising new products and following them through to launch in the supermarkets;
Buyers: responsible for sourcing raw materials from all around the world;
Auditors: visiting suppliers to ensure that raw materials are being produced to the correct standard;
Previous students have also gone on to manage companies.


This course is validated by the
Harper Adams University College