Food and drink manufacturing and processing (FDMP) is vital to the UK economy. It’s the single largest manufacturing sector in the UK, accounting for 20% of total manufacturing, with 468,000 people employed. The wider food and drink sector, including food supply chain from the ‘Farm to Fork,’ contributes over £120 billion to the economy and employs 4.1m people – roughly 13% of the entire UK workforce. Due to the reduction of free movement from the EU and Covid-19, the industry’s chronical skills gap continues to widen. The UK Commission for Employment and Skills reported the FDMP sector will need 140,000 recruits by 2024.

This programme is ideal for graduates with an interest in developing knowledge and skills in subjects such as food biotechnology, food safety management and analytical techniques currently used in the food industry. It's also suitable if you already work in the industry and wish to develop your skills for career enhancement.

Teesside University is highly praised for the links it maintains with local and national industries and businesses such as Marlow Foods (Quorn), SK Chilled Foods and Sainsbury’s. The university is committed to integrating with industry in the Tees Valley and has a record of producing employment-ready problem solvers and innovators.