ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø

Join us for an exciting two-week summer school in food studies at the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø.

The ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø is ranked 22nd in the world and is the highest-ranking UK university for Agriculture and Forestry, including Food Sciences (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024)

What you’ll learn

The international summer school programme offers a unique blend of academic learning, hands-on experience, and cultural immersion. During this course, you will:

  • learn about various aspects of food science, including sensory evaluation, food processing, and food systems from world-leading experts  
  • gain hands-on experience through practical sessions in our state-of-the-art pilot plant and laboratories
  • enhance your communication and English language skills through dedicated tuition and interactive activities.

You will also gain a deeper understanding of the UK higher education system, study culture, and have opportunities to explore the towns of ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø, Oxford, and Cambridge.

 

Course details

This course is held annually in the department of Food and Nutritional Sciences.

  • Duration: 14 to 25 July 2025 (two weeks) 
  • Fees: £1,400 (including airport pickup and drop off) 
  • Accommodation: University Halls, £25-30 per night (depending on room facilities) 
  • Application deadline: 1 May 2025 

To apply for the course, email us at q.cheng@reading.ac.uk 

 

Detailed schedule

14 July: Welcome and campus tour 

  • Registration and campus card. 
  • Department welcome.
  • Library skills and tour.
 

15 July: Food research in ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø 

  • Sensory evaluation of foods.
  • Induction to pilot plant.
  • Ice cream processing.

16 July: Trip to Oxford 

  • Walking tour of historical colleges, museums, library, and chapels.
  • Dedicated tour guide

17 July: Sensory science for quality evaluation 

  • Vocabulary development. 
  • Sensory evaluation. 
  • Result discussion. 
  • English tuition. 
 

18 July: Studying and living in the UK 

  • Introduction to the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø.
  • Study skills for UK higher education.
  • Applying for MSc or PhD courses.
  • English tuition. 
 

21 July: Food research and industry 

  • Food systems. 
  • Food for the future.
  • Tour of the Nutrition Clinic. 
  • Group discussion for new product development.
 

22 July: Food chain and health 

  • English tuition. 
  • Visit to the University farm. 
 

23 July: Visit to Cambridge 

  • Walking tour of historical colleges, museums, library, and chapels.
  • Dedicated tour guide
 

24 July: Laboratory experience 

  • Health and safety in the chemistry lab. 
  • Determining salt content in butter.
  • History of Huntley and Palmers Biscuits.
 
25 July: New product development competition 

Travel information

ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø is conveniently located and well connected to airports and railway stations. The average journey time is approximately: 

  • 40 minutes from London Heathrow airport 
  • 80 minutes from London Gatwick airport 
  • 25 minutes by train from central London. 

Visit our travel information page to find out more.