Queen's University Belfast

Advanced Food Safety with Innovation Year in Industry MSc

Queen's University BelfastBelfast, United Kingdom

Course overview

The MSc in Advanced Food Safety is tailored towards students seeking to develop a career within the agri-food industry and related sectors, and offers the opportunity to obtain a unique internationally recognised qualification from a global leader in the fields of food safety and food security. With an ever increasing global population, climate change challenges and changing geo-political dynamics, the world’s food production and supply chains are under increased pressure, and issues relating to food safety and food security are of key concern for all. The Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS) at QUB is one of the University’s four Global Research Institutes, and is leading the world in addressing one of the greatest threats posed by these challenges - how to ensure the continuing security and safety of our food supplies.

The MSc Advanced Food Safety programme is delivered by IGFS researchers and focuses on the new and emerging issues threatening food safety and food security, and concentrates on the utilisation of recent developments in analytical approaches to monitor and regulate food integrity, authenticity and security. As an ‘Innovation Year in Industry’ programme, this course offers an opportunity to apply the skills and theories learnt during the first year to a real-world problem in industry, charities, or government. Students will have the opportunity to undertake a 40-week placement that will give them real-life experience of addressing a specific problem through the application of knowledge, expertise, and technical skills that have been developed as part of the first year of their course.

This will equip graduates with in-demand skills and experience that will provide a strong trajectory for their international employability. International students will be provided with access to additional free course content aimed at helping students of all levels of English language to improve their written accuracy, structure and criticality. English and Academic Skills courses focused primarily at our international students are offered throughout the academic year by qualified teachers of English for Academic Purposes.

Students can also book 1:1 sessions for individual guidance on English language and academic skills at any point. Due to the popularity of this programme, applicants are advised to apply as early as possible, and ideally no later than 30th June for courses which commence in mid-September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal.

Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page. Please note a deposit may be required to guarantee a place on the course. Due to high demand, applications may not be considered if the course has reached its maximum class size and will be placed on a waiting list.

Please see deposit terms and conditions for more details.

Key highlights

  • 40-week placement tackling a real-world problem in industry, charity or government
  • Taught by researchers from the Institute for Global Food Security
  • Focuses on new and emerging threats to food safety and security
  • Covers analytical approaches to monitor food integrity, authenticity and security
  • Internationally recognised qualification aimed at agri-food industry careers
  • Free English and academic skills support, including 1:1 sessions

Entry requirements

  • Degree: 2:2 — 2.2

Scholarships

  • International Postgraduate Taught Scholarship

    Year one award of between £2000 and £5000.

    Up to £2,000
  • The Burdett Trust MSc Nursing Scholarships

    For Home Students: Tuition fees £7,665 Stipend £10,250. For International Students: Tuition fees £24,295 Stipend £17,000

  • Vice Chancellor’s International Attainment Scholarship - Postgraduate Taught

    Value: 50% of tuition fees paid for up to a maximum of two years.

    Up to 50% of fees

Careers this course leads to

  • Food Safety Officer
  • Quality Assurance Manager
  • Food Technologist
  • Food Integrity Analyst
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist
  • Food Safety Auditor

Cost of study

UK/Home: £9,200 (NI/ROI), £10,400 (GB) | International: £27,600

Admission

Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to Queen's University Belfast, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.

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