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MSc/PGCert/PGDip Food Safety, Hygiene and Management

The Food Safety, Hygiene and Management programme from the University of Birmingham 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.

Quick Facts

  
Duration: 1 year (MSc Full-Time)
2 years (MSc Part-Time)
1 year (PGDip Part-Time)
6 months (PGCert Part-Time)
Starting in: September
Tuition Fee: £26,640 per year (Full-time)
£3,660 (PGDip)
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom

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 Food Safety, Hygiene and Management programme from the University of Birmingham, 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

Courses included:

  • Food and Microbes
  • Food Control –
  • Food Processing and Manufacture
  • Food Safety Management Systems
  • Research project
  • Applied Food Microbiology
  • Chemical Contamination of Food and Water
  • Food Chain Security

“The transition from undergrad to postgrad can be a big step up in terms of workload and what is expected of you, but there is so much support available to you as a postgrad student, from academic writing support (if you’ve been out of education for a few years or just want a bit of extra help) to mental health and wellbeing services. The careers support is fantastic – the uni puts on employer fairs throughout the year and you have access to one on one support from the Careers Network team, who can help you develop your skills ready for your next step!”

Emma Sutton // PhD Psychology

Careers

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.

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. 

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