We are in the process of finalising our postgraduate taught courses for 2026/27 entry. In the meantime, you can view our 2025/26 courses.
If you want a commercial career in one of the most fundamental, dynamic and innovative sectors of the global economy, our BSc Food Business and Marketing with Foundation Year course is the degree for you.
This four-year programme includes a foundation year that leads directly into the three-year BSc Food Business and Marketing course.
The foundation year will provide you with the skills and knowledge to succeed at university. You’ll develop core skills in academic study, writing and research.
Your subject-specific studies will focus on basic principles in:
Your learning will be delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical classes and workshops.
A foundation year is more than just a stepping-stone to a degree. You will also benefit from:
After successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll progress onto our three-year BSc Food Business and Marketing degree.
This course will prepare you for the food industry of the future by providing training in business, management and marketing.
Throughout your degree, you will:
You'll have the chance to apply your skills to real food business and marketing problems – contributing to the creation or launch of new food products, for example, or designing social media campaigns and marketing communication plans.
You will also have the opportunity to undertake an exciting marketing project as part of a student team. You'll complete mock-consultancies, develop research proposals, carry out market research and present your findings. You’ll also interact with different food businesses through field visits, guest speakers and placements.
During your final year, you will complete either an applied marketing project or a longer independent research project on a food-related topic that inspires you. Past projects have covered a variety of topics, including consumer attitudes towards plant-based food and social media influence on young adults’ food choices.
If you're thinking of starting your own food business, this course also offers opportunities to gain entrepreneurial skills and insight.
You’ll study in a school that is the highest placed UK University for Agriculture and Forestry at 22nd in the world (QS World Rankings by Subject, Agriculture and Forestry, 2024), with its own farms and specialist facilities.
Our multidisciplinary staff have expertise that spans agri-food economics, consumer behaviour, marketing, and agriculture – enabling you to gain food chain insight from farm to fork.
This course is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) as an Accredited Degree, enabling graduates to receive exemptions from all but one module of the Certificate in Professional Marketing or Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing qualification, or exemptions from all but two CIM modules for the Diploma in Professional Marketing qualification or Diploma in Professional Digital Marketing.
If you would like to undertake a professional placement, our four-year BSc Food Business and Marketing with Placement Year course includes an integrated, year-long work placement between your second and final year.
Placements can be located anywhere in the UK, and occasionally take place overseas.
You could work in a wide variety of areas, including food product development, account management, category management, brand development, and business administration. Recent students have worked at major companies such as Unilever, Warburtons, and Waitrose.
Our dedicated placements officer can offer advice and support in finding your ideal placement, as well as developing your CV and interview skills.. They will continue to support you throughout your placement year.
For more information about securing and completing a placement, please visit our Important Information page.
To learn more about the course and Department, please visit the Agri-Food Economics and Marketing website.
