The National University of Ireland, Maynooth
BSc Food Science and Human Nutrition
Maynooth, Ireland
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 180,000 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
Key Summary
About: BSc Food Science and Human Nutrition combines core science with specialist study in food chemistry, production, safety, quality assurance, nutrition and food security. Third-year students can take a work placement in Ireland or abroad to apply learning. The programme covers sustainability, obesity, allergies and food futures.
Career Outcomes: Graduates enter Ireland’s large food sector across multinationals and niche firms. Roles include production management, nutrition, food quality and safety, product development, research and public-sector posts (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Teagasc; health charities). The degree supports progression to accredited Dietetics and postgraduate study in food science and nutrition.
- The BSc Food Science and Human Nutrition degree provides students with a broad science-based education, with specialist content on the future of food development and production, safety and quality assurance, food chemistry, human nutrition, the role of food and healthy living, the science of sensory perception and how we experience food, the future of food in a diverse society and the social and global challenges around food security.
- In third year students have an opportunity to undertake a work placement (subject to availability), in Ireland or abroad, putting learning into practice. Given the diversity of businesses in this sector, ranging from food production to assurance to development, there are opportunities to apply learning in areas to suit all interests. As an integral part of the degree, this work placement opportunity significantly improves graduate employability.
- The degree programme explores the future of food, from superfoods that address particular health concerns, to the challenges around obesity, allergies, food security and sustainability. This will give a unique perspective to anyone interested in future food product development.
Duration: 4 years
1st year
- Food & Nutrition
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
2nd year
- Concentrate on Food & Nutrition, Biology and Chemistry
- Optional 10 credit Elective
3rd year
- Focus mainly on Food Science and Nutrition
- Second semester includes work placement (subject to availability) or other forms of experiential learning
Final year
- Concentrate on advanced topics in Food Science & Nutrition
- A capstone project
- The food sector is Ireland's largest industry with a turnover exceeding 25 billion, sustaining over 230,000 jobs. It consists of a range of companies from major multinationals to niche food suppliers, with a reputation internationally for quality, sustainability, and innovation.
- The global food industry is currently facing unprecedented challenges with changing dietary habits, food security with dispersed supply chains, demands for low-carbon production, as well as functional foods. In Ireland, the focus is shifting from raw ingredients to value-added product development, increasing demand for a skilled workforce across production, handling, and food innovation.
- This programme is designed to support careers in both large multinational companies and small custom businesses, as well as exploring the social policy aspects. It will support roles as diverse as product development, public health, food quality assurance and safety. As one of Ireland's largest sectors, graduates are in high demand in all of these areas.
Graduates of this programme will be able to take up roles in production management, nutrition, food quality and safety, new product development and research, sales and marketing. There are also opportunities for employment in the public sector such as in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and Teagasc or in health-focused charities. - The programme is an excellent preparation for progression to accredited postgraduate programmes in the area of Dietetics, as well as other postgraduate opportunities in the area of public health and social policy.
- There are opportunities for students to undertake research degrees, at Masters and PhD level in a variety of topics in the area of food science and nutrition.