Food, Nutrition and Textiles Education BA (Hons)
Course code X134
What is special about this course?
The Food, Nutrition and Textiles Education degree is aimed at those wishing to pursue a career as a Home Economics teacher in a secondary school. This contemporary programme is unique in Scotland as it combines academic study in food, nutrition, textiles and education with vocational training as a teacher in secondary schools within the four-year programme of study.
The programme has two pathways:
- Full four-year honours degree
- HNC Professional Cookery route into year two of the degree. Students from this group who do not have Higher English and National 5 Maths will be required to complete equivalent qualifications during their HNC year
Special features
- Dedicated specialists and lecturers with strong industry links
- Balance of theory and practice throughout the degree programme
- Emphasis on key areas of practical activities in years one and two
- Opportunity for vocational placements with industry in year one
- Education modules introduced from year one
- 50% of years three and four comprise education modules and school placements
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
Important: Please read our FAQ sheet before applying to this programme
Full four-year degree route:
- 3 Highers at grade BBC or above OR
- 2 A levels at grade BC or above
- These must include: Higher or A level English PLUS
- A science subject (Health and Food Technology is considered a science) PLUS
- National 5 or GCSE Maths or equivalent
- Alternatively, Foundation Apprenticeship Food and Drink Technologies PLUS 2 Scottish Highers in Science and English at Grade C or above AND National 5 Maths at Grade C or above OR
- A recognised Access to HE course plus Higher English at grade C or above and National 5 Maths, or equivalent
Advanced entry to year two:
- Direct entry to year two is possible with the HNC Professional Cookery (15 credits) with a minimum B in the Graded Unit, plus Higher English at C or above and National 5 Maths, or equivalent.
- Students from this group who do not have the required level of English and Maths will be supported to complete equivalent qualifications during their HNC year.
HNC Route: see HNC Professional Cookery
Please note:
- There are subject specific entry guidelines for secondary teaching stipulated by GTC Scotland. These are available from the GTC Scotland website: Memorandum on Entry Requirements to Programmes of Initial Teacher Education in Scotland (GTCS 2024)
- An aptitude for teaching and working with young people should be displayed in your application
- This is a Category 1 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required to successfully achieve target qualification, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in key elements of the course. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage
Year 1 - CertHE
Four-year degree route - core modules are:
- Applied food safety and quality
- Food studies 1: introduction to cookery skills and techniques
- Education placement 1: observation
- Food studies 2: food development, training and innovation
- Pastry, bakery and cake decorating
- Work experience in industry
Click here for further information on the HNC Professional Cookery route.
Year 2 - DipHE
Core modules are:
- Back to basics: nutrition
- Nutrition through the lifespan
- Textile studies 1
- Health and lifestyle
- Textile studies 2
- Educational placement 1
Year 3 - BA
Core modules are:
- Contemporary food and textile issues
- Food product development
- Education placement 2a
- Education placement 2b
- Enacting the curriculum (double-credit)
Year 4 - BA (Hons)
Core modules are:
- Applied food science
- Public health and nutrition
- Education placement 3a
- Education placement 3b
You will also complete a dissertation or research project (double-credit)
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- For the taught element of the programme you will study through a combination of face-to-face lectures and tutorial and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), as well as using purpose-built kitchen workshop facilities
- The practical teaching elements are undertaken in schools
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 40 hours per week
Where can I study my course?
- Perth
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Degrees | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £915 | £915 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £305 | £305 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:
| Full-time | Level | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | CertHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 4 | Honours | free | free |
4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542.
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship of £3,000 per annum and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Year | Level | 2024-25 Full-time | With scholarship | 2025-26 Full-time |
With scholarship |
| Year 1 | CertHE | £14,988 | £11,988 | £15,870 | £12,870 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £14,988 | £11,988 | £15,870 | £12,870 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £14,988 | £11,988 | £15,870 | £12,870 |
| Year 4 | Honours | £14,988 | Free | £15,870 | Free |
Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £14,988 | £15,870 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £7,494 | £7,935 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £2,498 | £2,645 |
Part-time study is not open to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
Further information on international course fees.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
Additional costs
- Students will be expected to purchase appropriate kitchen whites and professional equipment including chef-standard knives. The university will establish the best price for this equipment through its procurement process. The estimated cost for equipment is £100
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed this course you will be offered an induction year teaching post within the home economics department of a secondary school.
You will also be qualified and competent to consider a number of food or hospitality industry-specific roles or you may consider an option to start up your own business.
Students from non-EU countries are not eligible to join the TIS, but you can follow the Flexible Route to complete your probationary service if you are able to remain in Scotland on completion of your studies.
Can I progress into further study?
UHI will be offering a new MEd from 2026/27 with a wide range of content to support your professional learning throughout your teaching career.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
I had looked at other universities, but this degree was closer to home and the course offered at UHI was more appropriate to the career I wanted to pursue.
This course was tailor-made for aspiring teachers of Home Economics, so it was absolutely the correct decision for me to apply for it for my desired career path. My degree program was focused on training aspiring Home Economics Teachers, so I was fortunate to experience six different student placements during my four years of study. Student placements was possibly my favourite aspect of the entire degree program because it gave me classroom experience across four different local authorities as well as the private sector.
I was given fantastic support throughout my student career in an inclusive, unintimidating learning environment. I really liked that, the student experience had almost one-to-one support, with lecturers getting to know you on a more personal level.
Kyle studied the BA (Hons) Food, Nutrition and Textiles Education at UHI Perth.
Apply for Food, Nutrition and Textiles Education BA (Hons)
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.