Food Safety, Hygiene and Management,MSc

University of Birmingham

United Kingdom, Birmingham

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Home/United Kingdom/Birmingham /University of Birmingham/Food Safety, Hygiene and Management,MSc

University of Birmingham

United Kingdom , Birmingham

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Birmingham (Edgbaston)

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 32,580 / year

Next Intake September-2026

Food Safety, Hygiene and Management,MSc

About

Course overview

Take your career to the next level with advanced academic training in food safety and food control. Develop your expertise in the relationship between food and public health. Explore the scientific, political and legislative factors that influence food safety and security around the world.

Boost your employability in a field that has worldwide career opportunities. Access to safe food concerns us all. You'll be well placed for food safety roles in government authorities, food testing laboratories or food manufacturing.

Accredited programme

This programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.

The comprehensive curriculum delves into the workings of the food sector, offering insights into production, distribution, and quality control. Simultaneously, the course emphasizes the pivotal responsibility of food inspectors in upholding rigorous standards to safeguard consumers. Gaining knowledge from both perspectives equips me with a holistic understanding of the food ecosystem, positioning me to contribute effectively to maintaining high standards of safety and hygiene within the industry.
Vaishnavi
MSc Food Safety, Hygiene and Management student

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Course Structure

This course can be taken over 1 year in a full-time mode or 2 years part-time. You could also take the course as a Postgraduate Diploma over 1 year part-time, or as a Postgraduate Certificate over 6 months part-time.

This semester focuses on the fundamental keystone core modules of Food Control, Food and Microbes and Food Safety Management Systems which also underpins the CIEH accreditation requirements. Teaching is delivered predominantly through lectures, laboratories and workshops. It is assessed using a comprehensive mix of authentic coursework and an examination.

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Requirements

Entry Requirements

Holders of a Bachelors degree of four years duration from a recognised university in the Saudi Arabia will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3.0/4, 3.75/5 or 75% for 2:1 equivalency or 2.8/4, 3.5/5 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

English Program Requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band, which is equivalent to:

TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 Listening, 21 Speaking and 19 in Writing
Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills
Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component
LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 25 in each skill

Career

Career opportunities

"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."

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.

"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
Shanghai-based alumni