Most people, when thinking about getting an undergraduate degree in nutrition or food science, may have doubts regarding employability and further academic opportunities. 

However, the field of nutrition, whether focusing on food engineering or nutritional science, allows students to explore vast, undiscovered opportunities as a food scientist, nutritionist, professional recipe developer, corporate officer in charge of directing a product’s taste, or academic working in the field of food safety and research.

Universities offering a degree in Food and Nutrition

A plethora of public universities offer courses in food sciences and nutrition. The University of Dhaka offers a BSc degree in Nutrition and Food Science through its Institute of Nutrition and Food Science (INFS). 

A similar degree is offered by the University of Rajshahi (RU) and Khulna University (KU). Another degree sharing many similarities is the BSc in Food Engineering. Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), and Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) all provide BSc degrees in food engineering, blending the basic principles of engineering with core subjects related to nutrition and food sciences.

There are also other iterations of this subject, such as Nutrition and Food Safety or Food Technology, offered by Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST), Islamic University (IU), Kushtia, Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU), Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), Khulna Agricultural University (KAU), Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University (MBSTU), Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU), Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), and Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU).

The total number of seats available for students in public universities is well over 600, subject to change, as the data was taken from available seats in the 2023–24 academic year.

The degrees offered by private universities also have variations related to Food Science and Nutrition. The BSc in Food Engineering is provided by Daffodil International University, State University of Bangladesh, and Varendra University. 

These universities have qualified graduates from various public universities as teachers and professors, with connections to the corporate world. Other offshoots, such as the BSc in Public Health and Nutrition and the BSc in Applied Food Science and Nutrition, are also available at Primeasia University and International Islamic University Chittagong. 

The fees among these universities vary greatly, but the minimum tuition for attaining one of these degrees is Tk349,930 at Primeasia University, while the most expensive among the private universities is Tk620,450 at Daffodil International University.

Career opportunities and industry sectors

Almost all FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) companies have well-equipped research and development or quality control departments, where having a degree in nutrition or food sciences is a perfect fit. 

These companies rely on launching new, demographically targeted products in the market every year. With experience, companies such as PRAN-RFL Group, Square Food and Beverage, and ACI Foods offer lucrative compensation packages for graduates.

Outside the corporate sector, one can easily build a career in the development sector as well. Bangladesh hosts a large number of NGOs, UN agencies, and other organisations such as Oxfam and icddr,b that work full time on various projects. 

Having a degree in nutrition or food sciences holds significant value, especially in areas like child nutrition and prenatal nutrition for mothers and young women.

Pursuing an advanced postgraduate degree from abroad is also plausible. As a STEM subject, countries such as the UK, Australia, the USA, and other European nations all offer various specialised postgraduate courses in nutritional sciences, food technology, child nutrition, and related fields. 

There are also opportunities to become an academic in Bangladeshi universities. As this is still a relatively new field, more and more universities are looking to incorporate nutrition or food sciences into their curricula. Having an advanced degree from abroad will enhance one’s chances of becoming an academic in this growing field.

On the whole, while nutrition and food science may still be emerging fields in Bangladesh, the growing relevance of food safety, public health, and innovation in consumer goods positions this discipline as one with strong academic and professional potential. 

As both the public and private sectors continue to invest in nutrition-focused programmes and research, graduates with specialised knowledge will find themselves well-placed in a dynamic job market. For those passionate about food, health, and scientific inquiry, this field offers both purpose and promise.