Food Safety MSc, PgDip, PgCert, PgProfDev (Online Learning) The University of Edinburgh

Foodborne diseases are a growing public health concern worldwide. The contamination of food with microorganisms or chemicals may occur at any stage in the process from food production to consumption ('farm to fork') and as a result of environmental contamination, including pollution of water, soil or air.

The global burden of foodborne diseases worldwide is very high affecting every year around 600 million people with 420,000 deaths. Therefore, the World Health Organisation (WHO) highlighted the importance of producing safe food that saves human lives, saves resources and has a positive impact on the economy of every country.

This programme in Food Safety is suitable for busy professionals keen to acquire in-depth knowledge on food safety, with relevant backgrounds in:

• public health
• food and beverage
• agriculture
• veterinary
• biology

It is also suitable if you are a/an:

• agriculture professional
• rural industries professional
• food industry professional
• government official
• international organisation employee
• researcher in food safety
• third sector employee

Key information:

• This programme is taught online and can be completed between 1 and 6 years of part-time intermittent study
• This programme has close collaboration with the Scottish Rural College
• Uniquely positioned to draw expertise from the world-class staff based in the famous Roslin Institute and Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security

What to expect at the University of Edinburgh

As a student within the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, you will join more than 7,000 students studying a range of postgraduate programmes. Following the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, our vet school and our medical school were both among the UK top five, ranked by research power (Times Higher Education, Overall Ranking of Institutions REF 2021).

Your postgraduate experience here will be supported and enhanced by the wealth of resources and opportunities we offer. We are committed to delivering high-quality, innovative teaching. The latest report from the Quality Assurance Agency awarded us the highest rating possible for the quality of the student learning experience.

The University of Edinburgh is currently ranked 15th in the World in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

Beyond gaining factual knowledge of the immediate subject matter, programme participation is designed to achieve a series of key learning outcomes:

• · critical identification, evaluation and assessment of the main theories, principles and concepts related to sources and pathways of foodborne hazards along the food chain and formulation of bespoke intervention strategies to mitigate the risk to public health
• · use of a significant range of the principal skills, techniques and practices associated with the evaluation of economic burdens of foodborne diseases, epidemiological and statistical analysis of food safety data and most advanced practices to isolate and identify microbiological foodborne hazards from different food matrixes
• · apply critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis to a holistic approach to animal health, animal welfare, plant and environmental health as an integral part to food safety and how this can contribute to improve efficiency and save resources from a food security perspective
• · critically evaluate food safety data by applying epidemiological and statistical methods (including statistical software) from collection to presentation including data generation, collection, curation, backup, cleaning, analysis and communication
• · deal with complex professional issues, to make informed judgements, on your own or collectively, about food safety

Why study a Master in Food Safety

This programme aims to equip you with the fundamental knowledge and expertise to be able to influence and promote food safety at different levels of your organisation.

It gives solid grounds to enhance your career, to help secure a position, or to pursue a different career in food safety related organisations. Whether for the government, for the industry or in research, for example to prepare for a PhD in Food Safety or to have a more hands-on experience.

As a graduate of the food safety programme, you have a range of options, often progressing your current careers to a higher level.

There are careers available in managing, auditing, and inspecting food safety and quality in both large and small production and manufacturing environments.

Some of our students are vets and are progressing their careers in veterinary public health.

Others run their own businesses, or are setting up their own businesses, and are aware of their need to be up-to-date with the legislation and current food traceability, safety and quality issues.

Local and international governmental and non-governmental organisations are also destinations for food safety experts.

How the University of Edinburgh can support you

We are committed to helping you to develop skills and attributes that will enhance your ability to compete in the job market, to progress your career, and to achieve your full potential within the global community. In addition to the provision of dedicated support through our award-winning Careers Service, we broker strategic partnerships between academics, industry specialists and other institutions, to enhance your personal and professional development and provide relevant career insights.

Our graduates are ranked 24th in the world by employers, making the University an excellent choice for a postgraduate education with prospects (QS World University Rankings 2023).

Programme structure

Year 1

You will take 4 compulsory courses:

• Food Supply Chain and Food Safety
• Data Analysis for Food Safety
• Food Safety Hazards and Food Safety Management Systems
• Food Production Systems

These courses will be developed and delivered by specialists in the field from the:

• Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (RDSVS)
• Roslin Institute
• Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)

If you successfully complete Year 1 and exit the programme, you will be awarded a PG Certificate (PG Cert) in Food Safety.

Year 2

You will take 2 compulsory courses:

• Food Processing and Waste Management
• Research Methods and Data Analysis

You will also choose 2 to 3 elective courses (10 or 20 credits) from within the postgraduate taught (PGT) portfolio of courses which allow you to follow your own interests.

Courses within Food Safety and Global Food Security fields include:

• Food Traceability
• Labelling
• Fraud and Crime
• Food Policy
• Innovations in Sustainable Food Systems

Elective options are also available from One Health and Livestock Management topics, such as:

• One Health Policy
• Production Animal Welfare
• Globalisation and Health

If you are successfully complete Years 1 and 2 and exit the programme, will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Food Safety.

Year 3

You will complete a final dissertation to gain the award of MSc.

Postgraduate Professional Development

Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their knowledge through a postgraduate-level course(s), without the time or financial commitment of a full master's, postgraduate diploma or postgraduate certificate.