Food ScienceEolaíocht Bhia

Leaving Certificate Requirements

QQI/FET Requirements

In addition to the QQI minimum entry requirements, QQI quotas and QQI points apply. The max QQI points awarded is 390. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/qqi

Mature Applicants

Applications from mature students (23+) are welcome. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/mature

Additional Requirements/Information 

This course is not recommended if you have a medically diagnosed food allergy (note, not an intolerance).

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.

Food Science is a multi-disciplinary field that uses knowledge of chemistry, biology, nutrition, microbiology and engineering. Food scientists are interested in the design and development of healthy, safe, nutritious and sustainable foods. One of the benefits of being a food scientist is that your qualification opens up a wide variety of exciting career opportunities, both within the food sector and outside. As a Food scientist you could find yourself testing the microbiological safety of a food, measuring protein content or formulating a food product to reduce salt, sugar and fat. Food scientists also develop new products, work in regulation, nutritional analysis and food engineering.

The Food Science programme here in TU Dublin will develop your scientific knowledge while also developing strong practical skills sought by employers. Practical work in our dedicated labs for food analysis, new product development, food chemistry, food microbiology and sensory science allows students to develop excellent laboratory skills. Field trips in each of the four years of the programme helps you to put theory into practice.

Year one of the programme focuses on developing a strong foundation in the core sciences and maths. You will also study introductory modules in Nutrition and Microbiology as well as a new module in food sustainability. Year two introduces several food science modules such as Food Chemistry, Food Ingredients, Food Process Technology and Sensory Evaluation. Year 3 deepens your knowledge of food safety while one of the highlights of the semester is the opportunity to develop a brand new food product from idea to product launch in the Product Development module. Semester two of third year is spent on placement where students get an opportunity to obtain industry experience. You will work with your dedicated work placement coordinator to secure your placement, the programme has an extensive portfolio of placements to assist students. Final year of the programme has a lot of student choice. Students select from one of two streams (i) Food (ii) Brewing & Distilling while also selecting their final year project and their elective. As part of the Final Year Project students work under the guidance of an academic member of staff conducting 12 weeks of independent research in our specialised facilities.

You will be taught by a diverse cohort of lectures with a wide range of expertise, amongst the staff we have leaders of national and EU funded projects, staff with 20 years industry experience and lecturers in the top 1% of Highly cited researchers globally.   

Follow the programme on our social channels

• Instagram: Food Science TUD
• Facebook Food Science BSc TU Dublin
• Linkedin: Food Science TUD

A career as a Food Scientist is a career filled with choice. There is a wide array of opportunities for food scientists both in Ireland and internationally. You will find below a list of roles available in the Irish food industry in 2024. The Irish food sector employs over 200,000 people, has turnover of €27.5 billion and exports of €13 billion making it an important part of Irelands modern economy.

Salary expectations for Food Science graduates would be close to €40,000 per annum.

• Product Development Scientist
• Food Technologist
• Ingredients Development
• R&D Associate Scientist
• R&D Senior Scientist
• Product Specialist
• Food Safety Compliance Officer
• Food Microbiology Technician
• RD&A Analytical Scientist
• Quality Control Technician
• Quality Control Manager
• Laboratory Technician
• Process Quality Assurance Analyst
• Global Laboratory Senior Specialist
• Packaging Manager
• Quality Officer
• Brewer
• Distiller
• Process Technologist
• Production Line Manager
• Production Manager/Planner
• Academia/Lecturer
• Lab Technician
• Food Buyer

Advanced Entry applications are accepted to this course. For further information on how to make an Advanced Entry application, please visit our CAO Hub. A full list of courses open for Advanced Entry are listed on the CAO website.

To qualify for Advanced Entry applicants must be currently studying, completing, or have successfully completed, studies at Level 6, 7 or 8 in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) or an equivalent, in a related area. You must demonstrate by providing transcripts of results that you have achieved the learning outcomes for each stage you wish to advance past, for example:

• To enter Year 2 via Advanced Entry, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Year 1.
• For entry to Year 3, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1 and 2.
• For entry to Year 4, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1, 2, and 3.

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website.

"I had the best experience in the Food Science course, throughout my time I gained many skills from the variety of modules in food, business & science. I completed a final year project analysing flavour and aroma compounds in whiskey samples."

Caron O'Dwyer, Graduate, 2018

On graduation, you may proceed to postgraduate studies leading to the award of MSc, MPhil or PhD in research institutes and universities worldwide.