If you are a Veterinary Surgeon delivering Official Controls in slaughter houses or cutting plants, this course will help you towards the Higher Certificate in Food Control which will enable you to work in other food premises.

The Food Law Code of Practice (England) issued by the Food Standards Agency in 2015 and updated in March 2017 clarifies the training and qualification requirements for officers who can be authorised for the delivery of official controls (hygiene and standards). 

It sets the baseline qualification for such officers as the Higher Certificate in Food Control and has approved a syllabus that must be followed to acquire this qualification. 

EU Veterinary Surgeons with qualifications  listed in annex V point 5.4.2 DIRECTIVE 2005/36/EC can be approved to deliver controls in slaughter houses, game handling establishments and cutting plants but not in other food premises in the UK.

In order to deliver official controls in other premises they must also acquire the Higher Certificate in Food Control. Existing accredited routes to the Higher Certificate in Food Control are mainly designed for candidates with no previous enforcement experience.

This programme was designed as a fast track qualification for EU Veterinary Surgeons who already have experience in the delivery of official controls in UK slaughter houses, game handling establishments and cutting plants.

Why choose Birmingham?

It provides an opportunity to:

• Learn from a multidisciplinary team of leading specialists having applied knowledge and strong links with the government authorities and the food industry
• Develop transferable skills that can be used for many aspects of food safety and security
• Study in a School with a first class reputation in learning, teaching and research, based in a vibrant multicultural city
•  Study a programme accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health

A final comment sums up the opinion of many of the students: ‘My Birmingham experience was amazing; a high level of science, in a multicultural city and a world class university. So keep up the hard work and enjoy Birmingham.’

Compulsory modules

• Food production(Vet Conv) (autumn term) - 10 credits
• Food Enforcement (Vet Conv) (autumn term) - 10 credits
• Food Standards and Labelling (Winter term) - 10 credits

Optional modules

Choose 30 credits (three modules) in the winter term. Examples of optional modules are listed below:

• Food Safety Management Systems
• Water and Health
• Pest Management and Cleaning Systems
• Food Fraud
• Chemical Contamination of Food and Water
• Applied Food Microbiology
• Food Standards and Labelling
• Sustainability in the Food Industry
• Investigating Foodborne Outbreaks 
• Food Chain Security
• Principles of Nutrition

• Ms Madeleine Smith

Tuition fees for UK/EU students 2019/20

Postgraduate Certificate: Part-time £3,180
For further information please view the fees and funding page. 

Scholarships and studentships

We offer a range of postgraduate scholarships for taught programmes and research opportunities to ensure the very best talent is nurtured and supported at postgraduate level.

Additional scholarships can be found in the funding database.

Contact the department for further information.

• A recognized veterinary qualification as detailed in Directive 2005/36/EC annex 5 point 5.4.2
• A minimum of two years relevant experience in the UK
• Competency in English (IELTS 6 with no less than 5.5 in any band or equivalent)

 Learn more about entry requirements. 

International students:

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries – learn more about  international entry requirements

English language

For students whose first language is not English, one of the following English language qualifications are required:

• IELTS: 6.0 overall, with 5.5 minimum band score
• TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing
• PTE Academic: 51 in all four skills

Further information about postgraduate English language requirements, including alternative qualifications considered and Pre-Sessional English.

International students requiring visas

Monday 01 July 2019 is the application deadline for international students who require a visa to study in the United Kingdom. We are not able to consider applications for 2019 made after this date; a new application should be made for 2020. Applications will reopen for 2020 in October 2019. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full, early applications are encouraged.

UK/EU (non-Tier 4) students

The application deadline is Friday 20 September 2019. Applications will reopen for 2020 on Monday 30 September 2019.

Before you make your application

You may wish to register your interest with usto receive regular news and updates on postgraduate life within this Department and the wider University.

Making your application

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the How to apply pages

Apply now

The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health/Environmental Health Registration Board.