WJEC LEVEL 3 APPLIED DIPLOMA IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION

Taste everything all the time.

Exam Board

EDUQAS

WHY SHOULD I STUDY FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION?

Would you like to further your understanding of food science and the nutrition industries in preparation to further advance your skills ready for the world of work?

This is an Applied General qualification. This means it is designed to accommodate a range of assessment preferences by combining internal assessment with externally assessed units spread over the two years of the course. It has been designed to offer exciting, interesting experiences that focus on applied learning; acquiring knowledge and understanding through purposeful, work-related contexts, linked to the food production industry.

Our passionate and experienced staff will help you tailor the course to suit your individual strengths. We provide you with excellent facilities including well-equipped kitchens, IT facilities and a variety of educational visits to bring the world of food, science, and nutrition to life.

This course will give you opportunities to experiment with colour, flavour, texture, and storage life of a food product by conducting biological, chemical and physical tests.

The Food Science and Nutrition course delivers a real mix of academic and practical learning which will help you to develop transferable skills and prepare you well for a wide range of careers, whether that be within the food industry or further afield.

What Will I Study?

You will complete three units of work, two of which are mandatory and one optional.

The first mandatory unit will enable you to demonstrate an understanding of the science of food safety and nutrition in a wide range of contexts. Through regular practical sessions you will gain the practical skills required to produce high quality food items which meet the nutritional needs of identified individuals.

The second mandatory unit will allow you to develop your understanding of the science of food safety and hygiene; essential knowledge for anyone involved in food production in the home or wishing to work in the food industry. Practical sessions will support the development of theoretical knowledge and ensure learning is a tactile experience.

You will then complete one optional unit which building on previous learning and experiences. This will give learners the opportunity to study subjects of particular interest or relevance to them and will be chosen from Experimenting to Solve Food Production Problems or Current Issues in Food Science and Nutrition

HOW IS A LEVEL FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION ASSESSED?

• Unit 1: Meeting Nutritional Needs of Specific Groups will be both internally and externally assessed through a controlled assessment piece of work and a 90-minute examination.
• Unit 2 Ensuring Food is Safe to Eat is externally assessed.
  An assignment will be produced in May each year and will be completed over an eight-hour timed period of supervision.
• Unit 3: Experimenting to Solve Food Production Problems
• Unit 4: Current issues in Food Science and Nutrition

Both the optional units are internal assessments completed in controlled conditions.

WHAT CAN I STUDY WITH FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION?

This qualification could lead to degree courses in dietetics, food and beverages, food marketing, procurement, sports nutrition, quality assurance, media or even education. By studying food science and nutrition, you will be immersed in a world that relies on technology and science to develop new food products, improve food systems, and protect the integrity and safety of the global food supply chain, also setting you up for higher level industry apprenticeships if university is not for you.

WHERE DOES FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION LEAD?

Care providers and nutritionists in hospitals use knowledge this course offers, as do sports coaches and fitness instructors. Hotels and restaurants, food manufacturers and government agencies also use this understanding to develop menus, food products and policies that that support healthy eating initiatives. Many employment opportunities within the field of food science and nutrition are available to graduates.

Minimum Subject Entry Requirements:

Grade 5 in Food Preparation and Nutrition.

If you have not taken a food related qualification in year 11, don’t worry. We can assess your practical ability and theoretical understanding at interview. So long as you have a good understanding of food and nutrition and can demonstrate your passion for the subject, we will make sure we cover the rest at the start of the qualification.