Applied Food Safety and Quality Management with Industrial Practice, MSc
This two-year Master’s in Applied Food Safety & Quality Management with Industrial Practice is ideal for graduates who are looking for managerial roles in the food industry.
There is a huge demand for professionally trained graduates who understand what it takes to provide safe food to consumers. Our course addresses a variety of food safety and quality issues to help you meet these industry needs.
These include the management of food safety and quality across the supply chain, and how to design and implement safety and quality management systems to meet required local and international legislation. You'll also be able to apply to work with a relevant employer during your second year.
The course is aimed at graduates from related disciplines or professionals in the food sector who wish to develop their skills and take on managerial roles. It is taught by staff at the award-winning Natural Resources Institute (NRI).
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Location
Duration
2 years full-time
Start month
September; January
Fees information
For fee information related to this course, please see fees section below
What you should know about this course
What you will study
This programme has been designed for the International Market
Year 1
Option Set 1
Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.
- Academic English for Postgraduates (Science)
- Research Methods for Postgraduates (15 credits)
- Research Project (Short) (60 credits)
- Food Safety and Quality Management (30 credits)
Students are required to choose 45 credits from this list of options.
- Risk Analysis for Agriculture and the Environment (15 credits)
- Sustainable Pesticide Management (15 credits)
- Environmental Footprinting and Climate Change (15 credits)
- Food Safety and World Trade (15 credits)
- Laboratory Quality Assurance (15 credits)
- Food Marketing (15 credits)
- Food Chemistry (15 credits)
- Postharvest Technology of Fruit and Vegetables (15 credits)
- Food Preservation (15 credits)
- Food Product and Process Development (30 credits)
- Food Inspection for Government Officials (15 credits)
- Food Authenticity and Traceability (15 credits)
- Food Microbiology (15 credits)
Students are required to choose 30 credits from this list of options.
- Postharvest Technology and Economics (30 credits)
- Food Safety (30 credits)
Option Set 2
Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.
- Academic English for Postgraduates (Science)
- Research Methods for Postgraduates (15 credits)
- Research Project (Short) (60 credits)
- Food Safety and Quality Management (30 credits)
Students are also required to choose 30 credits from this list of options.
- Postharvest Technology and Economics (30 credits)
- Food Safety (30 credits)
Students are also required to choose 30 credits from this list of options.
- Risk Analysis for Agriculture and the Environment (15 credits)
- Sustainable Pesticide Management (15 credits)
- Environmental Footprinting and Climate Change (15 credits)
- Food Safety and World Trade (15 credits)
- Laboratory Quality Assurance (15 credits)
- Food Marketing (15 credits)
- Food Chemistry (15 credits)
- Postharvest Technology of Fruit and Vegetables (15 credits)
- Food Preservation (15 credits)
- Food Product and Process Development (30 credits)
- Food Inspection for Government Officials (15 credits)
- Food Authenticity and Traceability (15 credits)
- Food Microbiology (15 credits)
Students are also required to choose 15 credits from this list of options.
- Elective Choice PG 15cr (15 credits)
- Postgraduate Negotiated Learning Module (15 credits)
Option Set 3
Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.
- Academic English for Postgraduates (Science)
- Research Methods for Postgraduates (15 credits)
- Research Project (Short) (60 credits)
- Food Safety and Quality Management (30 credits)
Students are also required to choose 15 credits from this list of options.
- Risk Analysis for Agriculture and the Environment (15 credits)
- Sustainable Pesticide Management (15 credits)
- Environmental Footprinting and Climate Change (15 credits)
- Food Safety and World Trade (15 credits)
- Laboratory Quality Assurance (15 credits)
- Food Marketing (15 credits)
- Food Chemistry (15 credits)
- Postharvest Technology of Fruit and Vegetables (15 credits)
- Food Preservation (15 credits)
- Food Inspection for Government Officials (15 credits)
- Food Authenticity and Traceability (15 credits)
- Food Microbiology (15 credits)
Students are also required to choose 30 credits from this list of options.
- Elective Choice PG 15cr (15 credits)
- Elective Choice PG 30cr (30 credits)
- Postgraduate Negotiated Learning Module (15 credits)
Students are also required to choose 30 credits from this list of options.
- Postharvest Technology and Economics (30 credits)
- Food Safety (30 credits)
Year 2
Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.
- Research Project (Short) (continued)
- Industrial Practice (60 credits)
About the course team
leads this course.
At NRI, we hold high professional standards and place the student experience at the heart of all we do. We have over 80 academics publishing work of internationally leading quality, with 22 professors involved in leading research. Many of our staff have become Fellows, Senior Fellows and Principal Fellows of the Higher Education Academy.
Come and meet us
We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how ÐÓ°ÉappÏÂÔØ could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have:
A Bachelor's degree at 2:2 or above (or equivalent) from a recognised university
Or an equivalent professional qualification in an appropriate science subject.
- If you do not have formal entry qualifications, you may be admitted depending on your work experience and responsibilities.
- Applicants from other backgrounds may be considered. Please email the Course Leader at fes-courseinfo@gre.ac.uk.
For more information, use our contact form or call us on 020 8331 9000.
You can also
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use Prior Learning?
Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.
How you will learn
Teaching
You are taught through a combination of interactive lectures, discussions, and tutorials, with the use of appropriate and relevant case-studies. Our taught modules are research-engaged and most have a practical component that relates to the theory you cover in the classroom.
Individual research projects help you learn to adapt and apply specific methodologies to unfamiliar problems.
Class sizes
We restrict our class sizes to enhance the learning experience of students. Class size is dependent on module options choice.
Independent learning
Our courses are designed to give you the space for exploratory and independent study. You'll work towards individual and group assignments and undertake the preparation/follow-up work associated with lectures, seminars, integrative assignments and laboratory classes.
A research skills module will shape your approach to independent learning, especially for your research project.
We encourage students to take advantage of a range of related extra-curricular opportunities. The faculty hosts regular seminars from NRI staff and external visitors on a range of diverse topics.
Overall workload
If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job. For part-time students, this will reduce in proportion with the number of courses you are studying.
Assessment
Students will be assessed through a variety of methods, such as:
- Classroom presentations, discussions and case-studies
- Critical reviews, looking at new areas of research
- Examinations.
Feedback summary
University policy is to give feedback on assignments within 15 working days of the coursework submission date.
Examination results will be available within 28 days.
Dates and timetables
Each academic year runs from September to June. You can begin the course in September or January.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.
Fees and funding
University is a great investment in your future. English-domiciled graduate annual salaries were £10,500 more than non-graduates in 2023 - and the UK Government projects that 88% of new jobs by 2035 will be at graduate level.
(Source: DfE Graduate labour market statistics: 2023/DfE Labour market and skills projections: 2020 to 2035).
Cohort | Full time | Part time | Distance learning |
---|---|---|---|
Home | £16,550 | N/A | N/A |
International | £21,000 | N/A | N/A |
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a wide range of financial help including scholarships and bursaries.
The ÐÓ°ÉappÏÂÔØ Bursary
This bursary is worth £700 for new undergraduate students with a low household income, entering Year 0 or 1 who meet the eligibility criteria.
EU Bursary
Following the UK's departure from the European Union, we are supporting new EU students by offering a substantial fee-reduction for studying.
Financial support
We want your time at university to be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress, so planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
Careers and placements
Will I have a work placement?
The industrial placement is an opportunity to put into practice the knowledge and experience you gain during your first year on the programme. You will engage with current industrial systems, processes, and practices, which contribute to your professional development as a scientist.
How long is my placement?
An industrial practice placement should typically last 11 months, with a maximum of 48 weeks, and a minimum of 35 weeks (only if required by the student placement search process).
Mentors
A workplace mentor supports you during your placement, helping you to set objectives and goals, and ensuring you receive appropriate training.
You will also be allocated an academic mentor who monitors your written work. The academic mentor will engage with you to ensure your placement is running smoothly.
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
Graduates from the programme have gone on to secure jobs in food quality assurance, technical management, product development, food policy, inspection and enforcement, food analysis, post-harvest handling and storage, as well as academia and research.
Do you provide employability services?
As well as support from the Faculty of Engineering and Science Placements Team, the University partners with an organisation that specialises in guiding students to secure an industrial practice placement. However, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to secure an appropriate placement. This could be with a local or international employer in a relevant industrial sector.
If a placement is not secured, it is still possible to graduate with an MSc without the endorsement of Industrial Practice.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
The course leader has the overall responsibility for your course and will be your first point of contact.
We also allocate you a personal tutor, who you meet soon after you join the department. Their role is to support your personal and academic development and act as your point of contact for queries or problems. Workplace mentors are also allocated in the second year.
Support from the department
We help new students over the first few weeks with our faculty and department induction. This covers the first week of term 1 (September) and term 2 (January). We'll also help you discover the academic and social landscape at Medway Campus.
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