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.
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
Institutional Accreditation
University of Newcastle is accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission (DETC), www.detc.org.uk Since , University of Newcastle has been continually accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor.
Food Safety, Hygiene and Management Masters/MSc/PG Diploma/PG Certificate
Course Level:
Postgraduate, Continuing professional development, Taught
Credits
180
Course
CODE P1105
How long it takes:
MSc: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time; PG Diploma: 1 year part-time; PG Certificate: 6 months part- time
Study Mode:
Distance learning/ Campus
Course cost
Price: US$22,500
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Department:
Newcastle Law School
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.
- Food Control, 20 credits.
- Food processing and Manufacture, 10 credits.
- Food and Microbes, 20 Credits.
- Food Safety Management Systems, 20 credits.
- Research project, 60 Credits.
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:
- Food Fraud
- Sustainability in the Food Industry
- Chemical Contamination of Food and Water
- Food Chain Security
- Food Inspection
- Food Standards
- Novel Food Processing
- Principles of Nutrition
- Applied Food Microbiology
- Investigating Food Borne Outbreaks
- Water and Health
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.
Considering postgraduate study, but unsure whether you meet the entry requirements for a Masters-level degree? Postgraduate admissions guidelines vary by course and university, but can be quite flexible.
Your existing qualifications will be important, but you don’t necessarily need a great Bachelors degree to apply for a Masters. Your personal circumstances and experience may also be considered during the admissions process.
This guide explains the typical entry requirements for a Masters, which include:
- An undergraduate degree in a relevant subject – Depending on the programme and institution, you may need a 2.1 in your Bachelors, but this isn’t always the case
- Language proficiency – If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to display a certain ability level, usually through a language test
- Professional experience – Some postgraduate programmes may require you to have some professional experience (this is usually the case for PGCEs and Masters in Social Work)
- Entrance exams – These are only required in certain subject areas and qualifications, including some MBAs
Tuition fees for UK/EU students 2020/21
MSc: Full-time £9,900. Part-time £4,950
Postgraduate Diploma: Full-time £6,660. Part-time £3,300
Tuition fees for International students 2020/21
MSc: Full time £23,310
Postgraduate Diploma: Full-time £15,540
Assessment
You’ll show your progress through a combination of written essays, problem-solving assignments and presentations.
All students take our core modules, but please note that the availability of optional modules is subject to demand.
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.
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 Newcastle 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 Newcastle 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.