“My time at Harper has been unforgettable…it’s made me feel well rounded and ready to jump straight into a career in the food industry.”

Megan Bowles initially wanted to enter the food sector through the hospitality route but after realising this was not for her she turned to a BSc (Hons) Food Technology and Product Development at Harper Adams and has not looked back.

“When I attended an Open Day, I felt immediately at home, and loved the facilities,” says Megan.

 “The lecturers and student ambassadors really made me feel welcome and that, alongside the great course, was what convinced me to pick Harper Adams.

Megan, who helped design the new School of Sustainable Food and Farming logo is in the final year of her studies and is full of praise for everything she has experienced here.

“I think the lecturers and resources are great, they know you by name, you’re not just a number and the ability to use the Food Academy for practical sessions really helps to cement the theory delivered in lectures.

“The Food Technology and Product Development degree is such a jam-packed course that really sets you up for a future career in multiple disciplines of the food industry,” says Megan from Leicestershire.

“The practical sessions, visits, and placement year really helps to explain the theory taught by the skilled and knowledgeable lecturers… anyone interested in food whether it be a small or great interest would get great value from the degree at Harper.

Her course provided the 21-year-old with her university highlight:

“The course trip to the Netherlands is definitely one of my key highlights of my time at Harper…we visited a camel farm, a fish farm, the Advocat Factory and a university that Harper is linked to.

“ I  really enjoyed all the factory visits we did pre-covid. It was amazing to see how products are made and understand how in the future we could play a role in that.”

Megan adds that: “Another highlight of mine was the Food Creativity, Styling and Photography module. It combined all my favourite aspects of the course: development and food styling.

“As part of the assignment we received a brief from Whitworths to develop and style recipes using their grain-based pouch products.

 “I developed an Indian Lentil Scotch egg, and it was so much fun to think creatively about new ways to showcase a product and create a portfolio.

“The food industry provides a broad range of opportunities, and the food degree at Harper Adams has encapsulated this range through the modules it offers and will help to get me into multiple areas of the sector throughout my career.”

Once she has finished her studies, Megan is planning to go travelling after missing out on that opportunity during the pandemic, and later hopes to work in product development whilst offering freelance food styling services.