BSc (Hons); CertHE ; DipHE Baking Science and Technology

Level 4, Year 1

All modules within the CertHE are mandatory and are delivered holistically to allow application of knowledge and understanding and prepare you for your career within bakery production.

• Baking core skills
  This module is designed to assess the primary skills of students within a bakery setting. These skills will cover both practical and theoretical knowledge where the student must be able to demonstrate their competent performance consistently over a period of time, to meet all areas of the assessment criteria. This aims to allow students to demonstrate their ability and compliance within a bakery setting to uphold the standard operating procedures.  
• Bread production and technology
  This module introduces the students to the main techniques of fermented dough production and bakery management. It is intended to develop the students’ knowledge of fermented items, their production methods and the techniques and technologies used in their manufacture.
• Chocolate production
  This module is designed to prepare you for Industry. Offering a firm foundation of technical knowledge and understanding of various raw materials and processes involved in chocolate production. Developing your practical skills in a range of chocolate products.
  
  The module will also investigate the nature of product analysis to ensure chocolate products continuously and consistently conform to expectation. Creativity, together with a sound knowledge of customer requirements is essential to meet the demands of the modern workplace.
• Confectionary and pastry production
  This course is designed to prepare you for Industry. Offering a firm foundation in a range of pastry types and products; cake making using a wide range of cake making methods. Developing knowledge of the functions of ingredients and problem solving. The development is essential in an ever-changing competitive market. Creativity, together with a sound knowledge of customer requirements is essential to the survival of the confectionery and baking industry.
• Applied and sustainable food safety
  This module allows the student to investigate the implications that food and Health and Safety has in relation to consumers/ industry and regulatory authorities. This in turn will provide the student with suitable knowledge and understanding to instigate appropriate quality control measures to satisfy all parties, ensuring policies are in place, which firmly adheres to on-going effective practice. Aspects of sustainability to safeguard bakery production will also be explored and investigated.
• Applied baking chemistry
  This module introduces the student to applied chemistry. It aims to lay the foundation for the basic scientific principles involved in food science, food analysis and bakery production. The module will cover all aspects of science, which can be related to bread, chocolate and confectionary products. As far as possible, the basic scientific principles are delivered in the context of food including bakery products. The complexity and perishable nature of food and food materials and the importance of the basic sciences are emphasised throughout the module.

Level 5, Year 2

Students are required to complete six modules at level 5. Five of the six modules are mandatory. Students will choose one optional module from a choice of two. Modules are delivered holistically to allow application of knowledge and understanding and prepare you for your career within bakery production.

• Advanced bread fermentation and technology
  This module focuses on both practical skills and theoretical knowledge needed to manufacture breads and related products to an advanced standard.  Covering in more detail bread making processes – both modern and traditional and examining quality aspects of bread.
• Artisan chocolate production
  This module is designed to prepare you for Industry. Developing and teaching advanced practical skills in a range of artisan chocolate products.
  
  The module will also investigate the development of recipes to ensure chocolate products continuously and consistently conform to expectation. More creativity, together with a sound knowledge of customer requirements will be further developed.
• Advanced confectionary and pastry production
  This course is designed to prepare you for Industry. Producing a range of products, using creams, mousses, jells, and glazes. Developing knowledge and understanding of flavours and textures in confectionery, learning to be creative an essential skill in an ever-changing competitive market.
• Baking products compisition properties and analysis
  This module builds on an understanding of the chemistry of biological molecules including foods and applies these principles to explaining the nature, properties and behaviour of particular food and other macromolecules. Specific components will be used for illustration e.g. carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, additives, etc. The determination of all of these components in food and other products is essential for declaring compositional, nutritional and labelling information and therefore the module will include practical learning material explaining the methods of analysis. Proximate and sensory analysis will form the major aspect of the laboratory analysis.
• New product design and development
  This module allows the learner to explore given briefs for product development while researching emerging trends and applying principles of innovation and sustainability. This module also promotes effective principles and practice with respect to bakery/plant design, layout and flow processes, food waste and processing techniques and packaging solutions.
• Business management and marketing (optional)
  This module will enable the student to understand the impact of leadership and financial management functions in order to maintain and improve organisational effectiveness.
• Human nutrition (optional)
  The science of human nutrition is a rapidly evolving discipline. The breadth of the subject will be explored including perspectives from physiology, cell biology, epidemiology and public health. Applied aspects of the area will be introduced and the human being as the central subject emphasised. Students will foster an appreciation of the multidisciplinary nature of nutrition and gain practical experience of assessing nutritional status.

Level 6, Year 3

Students are required to complete six modules at Level 6. Five of the six modules are mandatory, with one being a double project module. Students will choose one optional module from a choice of three. Modules are delivered holistically to allow application of knowledge and understanding and prepare you for your career within bakery production.

• Baking innovation project
  This project module is designed to support students in developing a research project within the baking sector. By exploring a critical area of the students' own practice. It aims to allow students to demonstrate their ability to argue coherently, to gather evidence, to evaluate critically, and to synthesise various sources of data within an appropriate methodological framework. Where appropriate projects may also coincide with student placement/ industry opportunities.
• The science and technology of bread fermentation
  This module focuses on both practical skills and theoretical knowledge needed to manufacture artisan breads and related products. The module will address extended bulk fermentation times using sourdough processes in addition to examining the necessary quality aspects. This module builds upon the L5 module – Advanced Bread Fermentation and Technology.
• Creative and innovative patisserie design
  This module seeks to explore the advanced properties of chocolate and patisserie which allow for the development of innovative designs and luxurious continental patisserie to a professional standard.
• Applied bakery science
  This module builds on the Applied chemistry module delivered as a L4 module in the first year of the Foundation Degree Programme. The module teaches scientific principles involved in the production and analysis of products produced within the Baking industry in more depth.
• Business strategy within the bakery sector (optional)
  This module focuses on business, legal and practical aspects for the development of a business enterprise within the Baking Industry. The module also emphasises the importance of quality management, environmental principles and sustainable best practices while addressing the increasing concerns for food safety and the environment. Appropriate standards, principles and applications are explored to meet these needs of the business being developed.
• Advanced topics in human nutrition (optional
  Human nutritional science is a rapidly advancing discipline. This module will draw on students’ background knowledge in the area and encourage critical evaluation of emerging topics in the field. The emphasis will be on the available evidence base and developing skills in interpreting and relating key nutritional points from complex and varied sources of information. The unit will be responsive to advances and breaking stories in the field.
• Advanced new product development (optional)
  This unit requires students to engage in the management of processes involved in the design and development of food products. Working together in small groups, adopt an allocated role within the group. The groups respond to a product development brief by designing and developing a food product. Students learn to manage resource constraints, time constraint and find ways of resolving different expectations and directions within the group.
  
  This Module takes a practical, technological approach to food product development and deliberately encourages students to experience the constraints and conflicts arising from teamwork in the design, prototype and pilot manufacturing process.

Multiple factors converge to allow for high efficiency in addressing employability issues in the course curriculum and every effort has been made to embed and emphasise skills, knowledge and confidence that will maximise graduate employment opportunities.

This approach will be further reinforced by an opportunity to spend a period of time in all years within an industrial placement, thus developing industrial expertise and improving future job prospects to an even greater extent without detriment to individual study. The value of work ethic will also be explored within the programme to ensure that students participate within ‘in house’ work experience which will comprise the operation and running of the NBS Bake Shop.

Every effort has been made to embed and emphasise skills, knowledge and confidence that will maximise graduate employment opportunities and equip them with transferable skills and an understanding of professional practice in their chosen fields.

As has been demonstrated from past performance, a large number of students progress with a successful career in the industry, becoming influential players. Past students now have a foothold in companies such as Bakels; Zeelandia; Delifrance; AB Mauri; Biscuiteers and Campden BRI.

The NBS alumni is also a valuable resource to further inspire and offer opportunity, including internships, to the incoming student cohorts. This allows for a perpetual cycle of influencers/ motivators to support, mentor and facilitate incoming and progressing students on to their career paths.

Furthermore, through the professional networks of staff, students are afforded the opportunities to engage with a range of professional bodies including:- Institute of Food, Science and Technology (IFST), Association for Nutrition (AfN), Society of Biology (SoB), British Society of Baking (BSB), Craft Bakers Association (CBA), The Worshipful Company of Bakers and the British Association for Sports and Exercise Science (BASES).

Overall, the National Bakery School is extremely well poised to deliver on excellence in provision with a clear aim to produce graduates capable of entering into professional training and careers in Food, Nutrition, bakery and allied industries.

Employability Outcomes

Here are the employability outcomes you can aspire to from our course.

• The CertHE Baking and Pastry Technology could lead to the following: Baker/ Baker and Pastry Sous Chef/ Patissier/ Chocolatier/ Cake Decorator/ Artisan Baker/ Bakery Entrepreneur/ Bakery Production Operative
• The DipHE Advanced Baking and Pastry could lead to the following: Assistant Manager/Supervisor level - providing you with the skills and experience to secure roles such as Assistant Bakery Manager, Assistant Food Technologist or Assistant Production Manager. There is also scope to develop within roles of NPD/ Ingredient Technologist/ or support research.
• The BSc (Hons) Baking Science and Technology could lead to the following: Management level - the inclusion of more scientific informed research coupled with analytical thinking, problem solving and project management, will prepare students for jobs in management roles. This could include Production Manager/ Technical Manager/ Quality Assurance Manager/ Bakery Manager.

Employability Service

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

The course delivery includes blended learning which allows you to experience the same high-quality teaching, but with flexible modes of delivery. Practical components are predominantly delivered on campus. All teaching and learning is also enhanced via interaction/ collaboration with the Enterprise Team in the Clarence Centre and via Library and LRC subject specific staff. Collaboration is also being developed within other Schools so that combined input enriches student learning and achievement.

Assessment

You will experience a variety of assessment during Level 4, 5 and 6 study. Practical knowledge is tested on an ongoing basis with practical examinations staged at the end of each block of input and at the end of each term. Portfolios are also utilised to encourage reflection and evaluation and inform future work. Theoretical modules assess using essays, practical laboratory work, reports of investigations, case studies, assignments or problem-solving exercises. Written examinations are only used where there is a need to demonstrate full credibility to the industry. i.e Level 4 Advanced Food Safety, Level 5 and 6 accredited nutritional qualifications.

The integration of the National Bakery School Bake Shop production at various intervals throughout the curriculum also feeds into the mode of assessment employed to allow students to meet learning outcomes whilst enhancing their work ready capabilities.

The School of Applied Sciences has recently undergone TESTA (Transforming the Experience of Students through Assessment), with the intention of ensuring that assessment and feedback is both more meaningful and useful, helping direct students forward. With this in mind, module assessment generally comprises a 100% coursework model. However, this is further subdivided to allow for effective formative and summative assessment as the student progresses through the year.

Personal Tutoring

As an undergraduate Applied Sciences student, you will be allocated a named tutor during your first three weeks at LSBU.  The role of your tutor is to be your primary contact for academic and professional development support.

Your tutor will support you to get the most of your time at LSBU, providing advice and signposting to other sources of support in the University.

Your tutor should be the first person at the university that you speak to if you are having any difficulties that are affecting your work.

These could be academic, financial, health-related or another type of problem.

You will have appointments with your personal tutor once each semester for 30 minutes throughout your course.  Weekly drop in times will be made available and you can contact your tutor for additional support by email, phone or in person.

English language qualifications for international students: IELTS score of 6.0 or Cambridge Proficiency or Advanced Grade C.

Interview and portfolio

Selection will be considered via submission of portfolio and UCAS statement. Applicants may be invited to attend an interview process which may include an element of practical testing to gauge level of practical ability.

For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for undergraduate students.

Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by reading the UKCISA regulations.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 391 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).

Possible fee changes

The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.

The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees in line with the RPIX measure of inflation up to 4 per cent.

Scholarships

We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on our scholarships page.

The individual fee for this course is shown above. For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for postgraduate students.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 391 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).

We have a range of PhD Scholarships available in partnership with businesses and organisations; read notices of PhD studentships.