Become a food industry technical professional and learn how to create delicious, nutritious and high-quality products.

About the apprenticeship

Course length: Typically just over three years

Start date: September

Course level: Level 6

University award: BSc (Honours) Professional Practice in Food Technology

How much it costs: funded through the employer

Course summary

• Explore the multiple stages of food product development 
• Become proficient in food safety management 
• Delve into nutrition and learn how to produce healthy food 
• Understand how environmental impacts can be minimised
• Practise in state-of-the-art facilities 

Learn the essential principles of food manufacturing through this BSc (Honours) Professional Practice in Food Technology degree apprenticeship. This course will provide you with the skills you need for a successful career within the food industry.

Study a wide-ranging curriculum covering product development and consumer research; food safety; food processing, packaging and nutrition.  

Learn in industry-standard kitchens and laboratories, and apply your knowledge to your workplace through live projects. 

This course meets the food industry technical professional apprenticeship standard.

How you learn

This course is designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive. 

Complete your studies at our Sheffield Business School - rated in the top 6% globally for excellence in teaching and research. Here, you’ll join a global community of business leaders, researchers and 3,000 apprentices.   

You’ll be taught by industry experts and active researchers in a supportive and inclusive environment. We’ll also help you to apply your new skills to your place of work.

You will learn through: 

• Lectures and tutorials 
• Work-based projects
• Problem-solving exercises  
• Class discussions/debates
• Presentations by subject matter experts and peers    
• Group activities
• Independent study

Your assessments will vary in format with opportunities to choose an area of focus related to your workplace and role.

At each level of your learning journey, you will be supported towards your End Point Assessment through:    

• Access to our specialist student support to help with your personal, academic and work-place development 
• Access to our Skills Centre with one-to-ones, webinars, and online resources. 
• First-class facilities with state-of-the-art equipment

Applied learning

All three years of the course are structured around applied learning. This links your studies to real-world situations within your workplace.

• Undertake live projects - develop high quality and sustainable products in line with consumer trends 
• Apply your new skills at work - learn from colleagues and complete tasks independently
• Network with other professionals both within and outside of your organisation

You’ll also apply your learning through

• Classroom discussions
• Student competitions

You will progress through the course following successful achievement of academic assessments, which address the learning outcomes for each module and allow you to complete the course.

You will also complete an end-point assessment towards the end of the apprenticeship.

Campus facilities

You'll study at our City Campus, with access to cutting-edge equipment and world class expertise.

Our specialist facilities include:

• Industry standard professional development kitchens 
• Food and nutrition laboratories 
• A sensory suite

You’ll also benefit from specialised hardware and software resources, interactive group workspaces, and a continuously expanding library.  

Entry requirements

Throughout the course, apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours at university. They can be existing employees looking to develop their careers, or new applicants to the business.

Applicants must:

• be over 18
• not be in full time education
• have the right to abode in the UK
• meet the course entry requirements

GCSE (or equivalent)

Maths and English at level 2 or above (grade 4, or previously C)

If you don't have this yet, you'll need to achieve this level before you take your end-point assessment.

UCAS points and college grades

For school leavers: 

• 96 UCAS points and
• One A level in a science or food technology

For applicants with relevant work experience in food preparation and/or food handling:

• one A level or equivalent

Additional qualifications

Applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS score of level 6.0 or above.

Modules

The programme adopts a blended learning approach with modules delivered through a combination of lectures, class-based seminars, and practical work.

Year one

• Reflective and personal development skills
• Chemical and microbiological principles of food
• Physics of food
• Work-based review of food supply chain management practices

Year two

• Reflective skills for professional apprentice performance
• Work-based investigation in food safety, HACCP and risk assessment
• Food processing and packaging
• Practices in food product development

Year three

• Food innovation
• Food manufacturing
• Reflective practice for professional development
• Food end-point assessment 

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change.