Alternative Academic Qualification in Food Science and Nutrition (Extended Certificate)

Alternative Academic Qualification in Food Science and Nutrition (Extended Certificate)

This course is equivalent to one A Level

The WJEC Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification in Food Science and Nutrition (Extended Certificate) is designed for students who are passionate about food science, nutrition and health, and who are considering pursuing graduate careers in these fields.

Students will study three units: 

Unit 1 Nutritional needs across the life stages. This unit will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the properties and functions of nutrients, the impact of food production on nutritional value and how dietary requirements vary across different life stages.

Unit 2 Developing practical food production skills. You will apply theoretical knowledge in a hands-on environment, learning advanced food preparation techniques while considering nutritional value and dietary needs.

Unit 3 Principles of food hygiene and food safety. This unit is focuses on food technology, quality control and food safety management as it introduces fundamental concepts related to foodborne illnesses, hazard analysis and industry standards.

Unit 4 Experimenting to solve food production problems. You will develop research and investigative skills, mirroring scientific methodologies used in university-level courses. You will learn how to formulate hypotheses, design and conduct experiments and analyse results.

A minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 9 – 4. This MUST include:

• Mathematics Grade 4 AND

• English Language Grade 5

Plus

Grade 4 or Level 2 pass in a Food related subject OR an equivalent demonstration of expertise (e.g. D&T, Art, PE) OR if you have not studied a Food related subject you will need a Grade 4 in Science

By studying Food Science and Nutrition you will develop a range of essential skills that will be valuable for higher education and future professional roles, including: independent learning and research, problem-solving and analytical skills, practical laboratory and food preparation skills, data analysis and interpretation, communication and teamwork, adaptability and innovation skills.

This course will support your route onto many different career paths, including roles in agriculture, supply chain management, research, marketing, microbiology, dietetics, retail, hospitality, new product development, policy, quality control and packaging. The food and drink industry is the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, and forms part of a diverse and complex supply chain, with many employment opportunities within the field of food science and nutrition.