Advanced Food Safety

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.

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.

You will learn about emerging issues within the field of food safety, and focus on analytical approaches to monitor and regulate food safety, authenticity and security.

You will study core topics in the field:
Food safety, health and disease;
Food authenticity and traceability;
Chemical/biological hazards in animal feed and human food;
Current and emerging analytical technologies to prevent food safety incidents.

Year 1
Core Modules
Advanced Food Bioanalysis (20 credits)
Foundations for Research in the Biosciences (20 credits)
Literature Review: Advanced Food Safety (20 credits)
Research Project: Advanced Food Safety (60 credits)
Food Safety, Health and Disease (20 credits)
Agri-Food Traceability and Fraud (20 credits)

Optional Modules
Bio-entrepreneurship and Advanced Skills (20 credits)
Biological Mass Spectrometry: Methods and Applications (20 credits)

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above in a relevant area of science or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds, therefore applicants who do not meet the above academic requirements but hold a degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) and can demonstrate appropriate postgraduate experience, will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31st July 2024 for courses which commence in late 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.

Continuous assessment of coursework, examinations, and assessment of modules based solely on submitted work related to private individual study.

A major component of this degree will involve the completion of a laboratory-based, food safety related research project

1 year (Full Time)

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects
Introduction
The Institute for Global Food Security has strong links with industry, companies and government bodies, and is internationally recognised as a leading player in food safety education and research, so completing this course will provide you with excellent employment opportunities both locally and further afield. Previous graduates have gone on to employment in; International agri-food sector companies; Diagnostic service provision companies; Research and regulatory analyst laboratories; and many have gone on to pursue further PhD-level study both at QUB and at other leading Universities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_jB4c5PHHM

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.