Food Industry Technical Professional, Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship BSc (Hons)

Start date

Level(s) of Study: Professional
Typical Offer: 104 - 112 UCAS tariff points
Start Date(s): September 2024
Duration: Four years part time
Study Mode(s): Block release
Campus: Brackenhurst Campus

Information for 2024

Introduction:

Nottingham Trent University’s Food Industry Technical Professional Degree Apprenticeship has been designed in conjunction with the food and drink manufacturing industry.

Degree Apprenticeships help employers to grow their own talent and nurture the employees who will go on to play a key role in their business. For many employers it provides an alternative option to graduate recruitment. Employees get the opportunity to gain a degree in BSc (Hons) Food Science and Technology, with the addition of hands-on experience gained through work.

Nottingham Trent University’s Food Industry Technical Professional Degree Apprenticeship has been designed in conjunction with the food and drink manufacturing industry.
Degree Apprenticeships help employers to grow their own talent and nurture the employees who will go on to play a key role in their business. For many employers it provides an alternative option to graduate recruitment.
The apprenticeship offers structured, quality assured education alongside practical on the job learning that benefits both the employer and the employee.
100% of Level 6 Food Industry Technical Professional Degree Apprenticeship students are positive about the learning opportunities on their course (National Student Survey 2023).

Who is this aimed at?

The Degree Apprenticeship is equivalent to the first steps on the Higher Education ladder, and is aimed at applicants, aged 18 and over, interested in developing a scientific or technical career. Some Apprentices start in entry level roles whilst others are more experienced staff perhaps without formal qualifications in the field. Usually their career and responsibilities progress throughout the duration of the programme. It is ideal for those in roles covering quality assurance, technical, production and new product development.

You will study a range of disciplines in food science and technology, including biochemistry, product development and manufacturing processes and technologies.
The block study approach allows you to combine studies with work and apply what you learn at University to the workplace.
You will be working with others from the food industry, sharing work and study experiences.
This course is accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology

How is the degree apprenticeship course run?

The Degree Apprenticeship is a four-year programme which leads to a full BSc (Hons) in Food Science and Technology.

Here's what our students say:

"The best thing about doing my Apprenticeship is getting the combination of work experience and a salary, while getting a degree and not racking up tens of thousands of pounds of debt to pay for university." Ryan Clifford, Research and Development Apprentice.

Contact us

We can guide you through the complexities of applying, employer commitments and fees and funding. Get in touch to find out how to get started.

Tel: +44 (0) 115 848 4793

Email us

We are ranked among the top 5 of UK universities for employer satisfaction, with a score of 92% for the quality of apprenticeship training provided (FE Choices Employer Satisfaction Survey 2019).

What you’ll study

How will I learn?

You will experience a range of learning and teaching methods. As well as traditional lectures and tutorials you will undertake practical work in our food processing laboratory and chemistry laboratory. Visits to commercial businesses are also arranged. Course material will also be delivered by online learning.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through coursework (60%) and exams (40%).

Block study periods

The course is delivered by a combination of fourteen 5-day block study periods alongside online learning to deliver additional material. Years One and Two will each contain four study blocks and years Three and Four will each contain three study blocks.

Food Chemistry

Study aspects of chemistry that are of particular relevance to food production. Carry out laboratory analysis of foodstuffs and learn the principles of data analytics.

Food Raw Materials

Understanding the different attributes of a range of food raw materials and evaluate how agriculture practices affect their quality. The module also covers supply chain management procedures, and how primary production is manipulated to modify characteristics of raw materials.

Food Safety

Gain the knowledge and skills to implement safe practices in the production of food. This module covers the professionally recognised Level 4 Food Safety syllabus.

Food Product Manufacture

Learn how to combine theory with practical application. You'll use the pilot plant equipment in the food processing hall to undertake a range of food processing operations and apply principles of safety, hygiene and quality to food production.

Principles of Product Development

Assess the market and identify the need for a new product across different sectors of the food industry. you'll also learn about technical feasibility and cost analysis of developing a new product.

Quality Assurance

Examine concepts, methodologies and techniques of food quality assurance, including hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP). Carry out shelf-life assessments and apply quality assurance techniques to food products.

Microbiology of Food Processing

Develop knowledge and understanding of microbial food spoilage and toxin production. Undertake laboratory work, learning and applying a variety of techniques for the microbiological assessment of food.

Sustainable Food Production

Discuss the challenges, problems and benefit related to the sustainability of food production and food supply chains. You'll also identify and evaluate methods by which the environmental impact of the food industry can be minimised.

Professional Development for the Food Industry

Learn business and management skills and understand organisational structures within the food industry.

Consumer Nutrition and Health

Understand human nutrition and develop an ability to analyse foods for macronutrients associated with nutrition and allergens. You'll also investigate how consumer needs affect product development.

Food Technology

Gain a sound understanding of processing operations used in the food industry, including mixing and emulsifying, filtration, heat-processing methods and dehydration.

Project

Carry out an individual work-based study project on a topic approved by the University and your employer.

Food Biochemistry

Study the biochemical aspects of food processing, both beneficial (e.g. fermentation processes) and detrimental (e.g. food spoilage). Genetically modified (GM) crops and microbes will also be explored.

Product Innovation

Consider the stages involved in the development of a new food product from specification design and cost analysis through to packaging, labelling and marketing. Understand the various constraints within which new food product development takes place.

Food Industry Management

Develop and promote your management skills. You'll focus on management issues within the food industry, including understanding the integrated nature of the supply chain and the commercial and political environment in which the industry operates.

Advances in Food Processing and Technology

This module will broaden your understanding of a range of food processing technologies, including membrane processes, high pressure processing and freezing, chilling and controlled atmosphere preservation. You will also learn about the scientific principles underpinning these technologies and their impact on food production, quality and safety.

Completing your Apprenticeship

To achieve the apprenticeship, all apprentices must complete an End-Point Assessment (EPA). The EPA is an independent assessment that ascertains whether an apprentice is competent in their occupation.

Gateway

Gateway is the period of time between the end of the off-the-job training (practical period) and the beginning of the assessment period when EPA will take place.

At Gateway, the apprentice, employer and training provider will review the apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours to determine whether they are ready to take their EPA. This is normally done at a Gateway review meeting which takes place near the end of the apprenticeship. At this meeting, all three parties will check that the mandatory aspects of the apprenticeship have been completed and that the apprentice is ready to take their final assessment(s).

Apprentices must meet the Gateway requirement set out in the assessment plan before taking their EPA.

End-Point Assessment

This apprenticeship is integrated. This means that the end-point assessment is administered by Nottingham Trent University and is usually linked to the academic award that apprentices study whilst in their off-the-job training period. The assessments are conducted by Independent End-Point Assessors who have been selected to assess apprentices against industry-specific competences.

Details of the assessment elements can be found in the assessment plan.

There are two elements to this end-point assessment:

Work-based project

Technical interview

Successful apprentices will be eligible to apply for membership with the Institute of Food Science and Technology and attain Registered Scientist status.