THE COURSE

The programme is tailored to the needs of individuals embarking on a scientific or technical career in food and drink manufacturing or those working in and seeking to advance their careers in quality, technical, hygiene or product development roles.

Developed in collaboration with employers in the food manufacturing industry, this programme offers students the opportunity to develop expert knowledge in quality assurance, factory processes, product development and management specific to the food sector.

The course introduces students to the significant recent trends in food safety and quality management in the food sector, both in the UK and internationally. Students have the opportunity to develop an extensive knowledge of food manufacture, while specialising in quality assurance and technical management. This includes areas such as hygiene, preservation and packaging, product development, leadership, and performance monitoring across areas of quality, safety and legality.

This course can be studied at Foundation (FdSc) or Bachelor’s (BSc) level. Both courses are offered on a part-time basis and are run predominantly through distance learning. Students typically complete the Foundation course in two and a half years and have the option to enrol on level three of the Bachelor’s degree, following a short bridging course, to pursue more in-depth study for an additional two years. Direct enrolment on to the Bachelor’s degree is available for students who meet the entry requirements.

Applications should be made direct to the University using the part-time application form:

http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/apply

How You Study

Our programmes are a combination of on-the-job learning and part-time study at the National Centre for Food Manufacturing, with delivery consisting of attended learning through block release and distance learning study. The courses aim to provide comprehensive work-based training schemes for people wishing to develop their career in the food manufacturing industry, complemented by ‘off the job’ learning to develop the supervisors, managers and technologists of the future.

Higher and Degree Apprenticeships offer high quality workplace training complemented by part-time, flexible degree level study. NCFM’s Degree Apprenticeships (Level 6) are 4 years in duration and embed a BSc (Hons) degree, whilst Higher Apprenticeships (Level 5) are 2.7 years and embed a Science Foundation Degree. These are often used to aid progression into the Degree Apprenticeship. As well as completing the relevant degree, apprentices must attain (or already hold) Functional Skills in maths and English at Level 2 and successfully complete the independent Apprenticeship Endpoint assessment at the end of their Apprenticeship. NCFM’s degrees are delivered through a blend of distance learning and block release attendance with apprentices normally attending the campus for 3 week blocks of 1 week duration a year.

MODULES

LEVEL 1:

• Food Commodities (Core) Find out more
• Food Law, Ethics and CSR (Core) Find out more
• Food Process Engineering (Core) Find out more
• Food Quality Assurance, HACCP and Hygiene (Core) Find out more
• Food Raw Materials (Core) Find out more
• Food Science (Core) Find out more
• Introduction to Food Chemistry and Microbiology (Core) Find out more
• Policy and Market Dynamics (Core) Find out more

LEVEL 2:

• Advanced Food Science (Core) Find out more
• Food Preservation (Core) Find out more
• Foundation Project (Core) Find out more
• Fundamentals of Fresh Produce (Option)† Find out more
• Managing People in Food Organisations (Core) Find out more
• Nutrition, Health and Diet (Core) Find out more
• Packaging Systems (Core) Find out more
• Product Development (Option)† Find out more

LEVEL 3:

• Cereal, Fresh Produce and Beverages Technologies (Option)† Find out more
• Food Analysis (Core) Find out more
• Food Defence and Sustainability (Core) Find out more
• Independent Project (Core) Find out more
• Meat, Seafood and Dairy Technologies (Core) Find out more
• Postharvest Technology (Option)† Find out more
• Technical Management (Core) Find out more

†The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

Our Team

Apprentices are supported by a qualified team, with years of food industry experience between them who have the welfare and success of our apprentices at the heart of everything we do. Whether you are a sector professional returning to education after a number of years or you have recently left education and are newly embarked on a food industry career - you are in safe hands.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS 2019-20

GCE Advanced Levels: CCC

A foundation degree, BTEC Diploma/Extended Diploma with Merit, Merit, Merit, Advanced Apprenticeship in Food Manufacturing or a related subject with be considered Vocational and Professional qualifications will also be considered. Ideally, candidates will have been employed in a managerial or supervisory role in the food manufacture or related industry.

In addition, applicants must have at least 2 GCSEs in Maths and English at grade C or above. Equivalents are accepted for example Functional Skills Level 2 or IELTS.

LEARN FROM EXPERTS

Throughout this degree, students may receive tuition from professors, senior lecturers, lecturers, researchers, practitioners, visiting experts or technicians, and they may also be supported in their learning by other students.

Comprehensive list of teaching staff

Career Opportunities

The University of Lincoln aims to provide apprentices with a sought-after combination of industry experience, technical knowledge and skills to prepare them for a range of career opportunities which will be dependent upon the chosen Higher or Degree Apprenticeship pathway. Students who choose Food Science and Technology can develop the skills and knowledge needed to be a leader in technical and quality management or in new product and process development. Food Engineering students have the opportunity to develop the technical knowledge needed for a successful career in a sector which is highly automated. Food Manufacturing Management apprentices can specialise for an operations management role spanning a range of areas, including factory or supply chain management.

FACILITIES

The University’s National Centre for Food Manufacturing (NCFM) is based in Holbeach in south Lincolnshire. It offers specialist facilities and industry-standard equipment including a sensory suite and test kitchen, analytical laboratories, a technician training centre and processing facilities.

At Lincoln, we constantly invest in our campus as we aim to provide the best learning environment for our undergraduates. Whatever the area of study, the University strives to ensure students have access to specialist equipment and resources, to develop the skills, which they may need in their future career.

How to Apply

Applications are usually made directly through an employer's website. There are a number of useful sites which can help with finding apprenticeship opportunities:

GOV.UK Appenticeship Search

UCAS Careers Apprenticeship Search

National Centre for Food Manufacturing