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Food Safety, Hygiene and Management Masters/MSc/PG Diploma/PG Certificate

Start date
September/October
Duration
MSc: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time; PG Diploma: 1 year part-time; PG Certificate: 6 months part- time
Course Type
Postgraduate, Continuing professional development, Taught
Fees

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2024/25:
£11,340 (UK students)
£29,340 (International students)
Further fee information is available.

Our Food Safety, Hygiene and Management Masters provides advanced academic training in food safety and food control. You will consider the relationship between food and public health, and examine the scientific, technical, managerial, political and legislative factors that influence food safety.

Scholarships for 2024 entry

The University of Birmingham is proud to offer a range of scholarships for our postgraduate programmes. With a scholarship pot worth over £2 million, we are committed to alleviating financial barriers to support you in taking your next steps.

Each scholarship has its own specific deadlines and eligibility criteria. Please familiarise yourself with the information on individual scholarship webpages prior to submitting an application.

Explore our scholarships

Develop your career in a field that has worldwide application. Access to safe food is of universal concern. However, industrial methods of food production and the globalisation of the food chain increase the potential for contamination, resulting in larger and more serious incidents, as well as providing opportunities for emerging pathogens and economically motivated adulteration.

The control of food contaminants requires a multidisciplinary approach and cooperation between government authorities and the food industry. On this course students have the opportunity to develop an understanding of the relationship between food and public health, and to explore the scientific, technical, managerial, political and legislative factors that influence food safety and security.

The course is particularly suitable for those with relevant food related knowledge and/or experience including:

  • Hygiene managers or supervisors already working in the food industry
  • Staff working in competent authorities or enforcement; for example, Environmental Health Officers or Food Safety Officers
  • Staff in diagnostic or food microbiology laboratories
  • Students who have completed relevant undergraduate degrees such as Food Technology and wish to find employment in the food industry or local government
  • Food hygiene and management trainers or consultants

Why study Food Safety, Hygiene and Management Masters at Birmingham?

  • 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

"I decided to undertake postgraduate studies in the UK because I was seeking a new academic challenge, I wanted to increase my knowledge, professional expertise and skills and also to develop my research skills, and finally I wanted to experience life in a different country at a university abroad."

Kostas Vassos, MSc Food Safety, Hygiene and Management

Modules

Course Structure

The MSc in Food Safety Hygiene and Management consists of 180 credits. There is a taught element (120 credits) and a research element (60 credits). The taught element is organised into modules, some of which are compulsory. The taught modules are either of 10 or 20 credits in value.

The Postgraduate Diploma is 120 credits and consists of only the taught elements. Students who successfully complete the requirements for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma may be permitted to transfer their registration to the degree of MSc. Permission depends on the standard of work.

The Postgraduate Certificate is a 60 credit award and consists of only taught elements. Candidates on the Postgraduate Certificate may choose from the compulsory or optional modules. Students who successfully complete the requirements for the award of the Postgraduate Certificate may be permitted to transfer their registration to the Postgraduate Diploma or MSc, depending on the standard of their work.

Compulsory Modules

There are three 20-credit core modules and one 10-credit core module. To complete the MSc or Postgraduate Diploma in Food Safety Hygiene and Management you must successfully complete all four modules. A research module is also part of the core programme.

Optional modules

The remaining credits can be selected from a list of 10-credit modules. Optional modules must have a minimum number of students registered before they will be delivered. Any module with less than five students registering on it will not be run and you will need to select an alternate module. Example optional modules are listed below:

Assessment

  • Taught modules are assessed through either a combination of examination and coursework or by coursework alone
  • The research project is assessed through a written research report and a viva.

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Fees

Tuition fees for UK students 2024/25

MSc:  Full-time £11,340. Part-time £5,670.

Tuition fees for International students 2024/25

MSc: Full-time £29,340.


Are you an international applicant?

All international applicants to this course will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £2,000 on receipt of an offer, to secure their place.

Find out more about the deposit >>.

Postgraduate Loans (PGL) for Masters students

UK and EU students (with settled or pre-settled status) looking to pursue a Masters programme in the UK can apply for a non-means-tested loan from the British government via the Student Loans Company (SLC).

The loan will be paid directly to you, into a UK bank account. It is intended to provide a contribution towards the costs of Masters study and whether the loan is used towards fees, maintenance or other costs is at your own discretion.

Learn more about applying for PGL 

 

Scholarships

Chemical Engineering PG Taught Entrance Scholarship

The school of Chemical Engineering is happy to be able to recognise and reward our top incoming students to celebrate your academic achievements before arriving as a student at the University of Birmingham.
The Chemical Engineering PGT Entrance Scholarship consists of a £1000 cash award during year 1 semester 1 for the students who meet the conditions.
There are 10 awards available; 5 will be allocated to UK students for fees and 5 will be allocated to international students for fees.

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.

University scholarships

Birmingham Masters Scholarship

Our Birmingham Masters Scholarship offers £2,000 via a tuition fee discount, to support the brightest and best applicants from UK or Ireland undertaking Masters study at Birmingham during 2024-2025.

Global Masters Scholarship

This £2,000 Gloabl Masters Scholarship award is available to all international students from a selection of countries who are seeking to study a taught Masters degree at Birmingham in the 2024-25 academic year.

 

How To Apply

International applicants requiring visas

Applications to this programme from students who are international for fees will close 7 May 2024. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full, early applications are encouraged.

UK and non-Tier 4 applicants

Applications will close 31 August 2024. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full, early applications are encouraged.

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Apply now

Our Standard Requirements

A 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant science (eg, biology, microbiology, food science, environmental health etc,). Candidates holding other qualifications may be admitted to the programme after an interview and submission of evidence of academic competence and experience in a relevant field. Learn more about entry requirements. 

International Requirements



International Students

English language

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

 
  • IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band
  • TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) including online: Academic 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills
  • Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced – minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component

Our mission is to carry out research of the highest academic quality, which is novel, challenging and relevant to users. 

The School of Chemical Engineering at Birmingham is one of the three largest centres for the postgraduate education of chemical engineers in the UK. We have pioneered development and research in rapidly expanding new areas such as pharmaceuticals and bioproducts, food processing, hydrogen fuel cells and energy research, as well as having leading-edge groups in healthcare technologies

Research Themes

  • Formulation Engineering
    We are developing solutions to problems facing industries in the food, pharmaceutical, biotechnological, fast moving consumer goods and speciality products.
  • Energy
    Improving quality of life demands the supply of increasing amounts of energy and consumer chemicals, whilst at the same time global warming has become a major cause for concern. The Energy research theme addresses the challenges of introducing the hydrogen economy to replace the current reliance on carbon-based fuels.
  • Healthcare Technologies
    Our experts are working together to advance new technologies and treatments that enable people to live longer, healthier and happier lives.

Postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham is a chance to learn from world leaders in their fields. The MSc in Food Safety Hygiene and Management is managed and delivered by specialist staff having extensive industrial and enforcement experience.

External experts from other institutions and from industry also contribute to the modules as visiting lecturers.
The programme takes a global view of food safety but uses European legislation and UK systems to demonstrate the principles of food control.

Consequently the course welcomes many students from other member states, some of whom return home to work in their own Competent Authorities or to represent their country on specialist food committees at national, EU and international level. 

Food Safety

Access to safe food should be a basic human right. Unfortunately food borne illness is universal. Changing methods of food production and the globalisation of the food chain increase the risk that food borne contaminants will cause larger and more serious outbreaks, as well as providing opportunities for emerging pathogens.

The MSc in Food Safety Hygiene and Management differs from other postgraduate food courses in that it focuses on the mechanisms of Food Control and Food Safety Management. All Food Control and Safety Systems seek to prevent food safety hazards from causing illness; microbiological hazards are considered to be some of the most significant food safety hazards in the food chain and the content of the course reflects this viewpoint. 

Food Control

One of the main mechanisms of Food Control is the implementation of food hygiene and food standards legislation. Together with the relevant food microbiology, this legislation forms the basis of the course, underpinning the study of processes and management systems commonly used by industry and the competent authorities.

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)

The course also covers HACCP, Risk Assessment, Quality Assurance, Integrated Pest Management, premises and equipment design and other aspects of control in a national and international context. The research projects conducted by the students as part of the MSc reflect these priorities and may be laboratory or practice based.

Food Chain Security

The emphasis on implementation and enforcement of legislation and safety standards is a novel approach and, by offering a comprehensive picture of food chain security, provides progression for those from undergraduate degrees such as food technology, veterinary medicine or microbiology. This legal perspective qualifies successful candidates to work in enforcement or advisory positions for UK competent authorities such as the Food Authority (Local Authority). The course is accredited by the Environmental Health Registration Board.

The legislation considered is EC based and the course welcomes many students from other member states, some of whom return home to work in their own Competent Authorities or to represent their country on specialist food committees at national, EU and international level. Several have also taken up lectureships in food safety. The course has also become increasingly popular with overseas students, especially those from countries wishing to accede to the EU or to trade with it.

Learning, teaching and assessment

Various learning and teaching methods are used on the programme, including traditional lectures, computer-based learning, student-based learning such as case studies and directed learning, laboratories and visits. The programme is assessed using both traditional unseen examination and coursework. The MSc requires candidates to complete a research project and submit a thesis.

Skills gained

Apart from a high level of technical knowledge, students will also gain the ability to critically analyse data and published information, apply scientific principles and legislation to practical situations and become experienced at locating and interpreting government guidance. Successful candidates will also develop an advanced understanding of common food safety management systems such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).

Employment prospects for candidates who successfully complete the MSc in Food Safety, Hygiene and Management are wide ranging. 

A significant number of alumni work for government authorities as food safety specialists where they participate in the delivery of official food controls. Some have also chosen to work in food laboratories (private or public) as official food examiners. Other graduates prefer to find employment in the food industry where their grounding in legislation and safety give them an advantage over pure science graduates.

The MSc fulfils the requirements for qualification of food examiners as listed in Schedule 2, part 1 (2) of The Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) (England) Regulations 2013. It can also help demonstrate the criteria for competency of Food Lead officers employed within Local Authorities (as mentioned in Food law Code of Practice 4.3.1).

Graduates who wish to remain in academic life can progress on to a PhD after finishing the course, typically pursuing laboratory based projects or applied areas of research such as food safety management or food security.

It’s very useful in terms of introducing people to the food safety related matters regardless of what background they are from, and ideal for people having or seeking careers in industrial or governmental environment. Also, obtaining a HACCP certificate is very valuable.

Ding Luo, from Shanghai

Further Study

About 10% of graduates continue in higher education and acquire a doctorate. One graduate who has followed this route has the following remarks about the course:
"My name is Ihab Habib. I am an Egyptian, and I obtained the MSc degree over the academic year 2003/04 with merit grade. I am a veterinarian by education and choose to focus my work on food safety and microbiology. I find the MSc in food safety, hygiene and management in Birmingham a great opportunity for anyone who wants to study food safety with a great sense of practicality. The training modules cover all the aspects you need to be well equipped for starting or enhancing your career in food safety. Now I have almost finished my study in Belgium (Ghent University) for a PhD in Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety. Also I obtained a lecturer position in Alexandria University in my home country Egypt.”

Other students have continued to study directly related fields and have embarked on PhD research on areas such as the implementation of HACCP or other aspects of food safety and control.

Other opportunities

Several students have decided to work advising businesses on food safety and HACCP. Some have joined existing companies and others have set up as independent consultants, offering training as well as advice. Other candidates have decided to use their knowledge working in food microbiology labs while some have remained in academic life as researchers. Three past students have acquired lectureships at Universities and are themselves teaching food safety while several more act as examiners or have visiting lectureships.

University Careers Network

Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.

Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge.

If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.

Professional Accreditation