Food Safety and Control MSc

Postgraduate

Gain specialist knowledge in food safety, hygiene, inspection and regulation, preparing you for a career in the food industry, regulatory sectors and public health.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time
Up to 2 years full-time with professional placement

Course code

EEST044

Start date

September 2025

How to apply

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At Coventry University, we continuously review the courses we offer to ensure we reflect industry-relevant emerging best practice and technology. As a result, this course is undergoing continuous improvement assessment and will be launched with a renewed curriculum starting in September 2025. Module content and titles will be updated. Course title, learning outcomes and assessments may also change. We expect our new curriculum to be fully updated by May 2025. Please return to this page to see the final course details.

Course overview

Food safety and control plays a vital role in the evolving food supply landscape. The safety, hygiene and authenticity of food are of paramount importance. This course is designed to provide a route for science graduates and food industry professionals.

Study food safety, hygiene and regulation, including risk assessment, food inspection and compliance with food laws.
Develop expertise in auditing, enforcement and food safety management systems.
Mapped to the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) APC-Food syllabus, this course supports those aiming to work towards the Higher Certificate in Food Control (HCFC), combining academic knowledge with practical regulatory skills. The HCFC consists of an academic award (such as the MSc in Food Safety and Control) and workplace-based experience that is assessed by the CIEH through a Competency Development Portfolio and a Professional Discussion.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 9th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

Industry-relevant skills: gain expertise in food safety risk assessment, hygiene, inspection and regulatory enforcement — all relevant skills in an industry growing in importance.
Wide-ranging career opportunities: prepare for potential roles in the food industry, government agencies, public health and regulatory bodies.
Legal and regulatory expertise: learn to navigate food laws, compliance and enforcement as per the Food Law Code of Practice.
Globally recognised certification: the course integrates the International Certificate of Digital Literacy (ICDL) module Data Analytics. You will be awarded an ICDL certificate and electronic badge on successful completion of the course.
Gain practical experience: boost your CV with an additional professional placement. See the modules for more details.²

Our Award-winning Green Superlab

With space for over 250 students and packed full of industry-standard equipment, the Coventry University Superlab is an amazing place to learn, experiment and discover. Find out what we’re doing in our Superlab to make it greener and reduce our waste and carbon emissions.

What you'll study

Study key aspects of food safety, hygiene and regulation, including risk assessment, food inspection and compliance with food laws. Module content covers microbiological and chemical food hazards, food authenticity and quality control.

Modules

Food Hazards, Risks and Controls – 30 credits

Consider the hazards and risks that pose a threat to public health from both common and emerging microbiological foodborne pathogens (such as bacteria and viruses) and how they can be identified, measured, enumerated and controlled. Explore how microorganisms can create food and the emerging food processing technologies that will form the basis of food of, and for, the future and how shelf life is determined for a range of foodstuffs.

Compulsory

Food Law and Food Standards – 30 credits

This module covers the key legislation, guidance, and codes of practice associated with delivering official food controls in the UK, with comparisons to international systems. It begins with an understanding of how law is made, the hierarchy of legislative instruments, and how law is enforced, including how court processes are involved in food law enforcement. Alongside the legal framework, the module considers the wider food landscape, other agencies involved in food control, and the opportunities and challenges relating to food control.

Compulsory

Food Incidents, Interventions and Investigations – 30 credits

Dealing with food incidents and alerts is an integral part of food regulation. From outbreaks of foodborne illness to food crime and food fraud, this module guides you through the investigative process of a foodstuff or food premises and the different mechanisms available to secure timely legal compliance in the event of non-compliance being discovered during the investigation. Explore the systems available to food businesses to prevent food fraud and food crime as well as the reporting channels of all kinds of food incidents to the appropriate organisations.

Compulsory

Food Safety and Quality Management Systems – 30 credits

Food safety and quality management systems are integral to food safety and all UK and European food businesses must comply with this legal requirement, taking into account the flexibility provided for in the law. Explore these systems from the importance of pre-requisite systems of design, maintenance, cleaning and disinfection and pest control. Consider the use of such systems in providing ‘recognised assurance’ and their potential to impact the frequency of inspection regimes in businesses that have earned recognition under such assurance schemes. The module aims to equip you with the ability to design, implement and assess the adequacy of systems such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP).

Compulsory

Master’s with professional placement

If you successfully secure a placement in industry within your first semester, this master’s with professional placement option allows you to extend your 12-month master’s course up to an additional year to complete the placement before starting your final 60-credit module.

Gain valuable industry insights and skills as you apply your academic knowledge and skills to a professional placement.
The placement must be sourced and secured by you during your first semester. Our careers and employability team are available to support you with the sourcing process.
Start your professional placement after completing the first 120 credits of your course.
The professional placement will be integrated into your course learning and outcomes. This will take the form of a reflective diary demonstrating your learning and engagement with the placement experience.
The professional placement option is subject to additional fees, living costs, visa requirements, availability, competitive application and university approval of the placement.² For full terms and conditions please visit the enhanced masters landing page.

Compulsory

Project – 60 credits

Carry out an extended investigative or research project, from which you will need to present your findings in a scientific thesis. Demonstrate critical analysis of the literature, authentic data collection and recording, appropriate data analysis and its presentation and critical evaluation with reference to published literature. Supported and guided by your supervisor, you are expected to work independently with limited supervision, dealing with complexity and uncertainty and identifying and troubleshooting problems.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures
seminars
tutorials
presentations
group projects
workshops.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module. Assessment methods may include:

reports
coursework
presentations
group projects
portfolios.

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical offer

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in a general science, food science or food discipline.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in a general science, food science or food discipline.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£11,200 per year	Request fee information
EU	£11,200 per year with EU Support Bursary £18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£18,600 per year	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

The Alison Gingell Building is home to industry-standard facilities allowing you to work in a replicated, dynamic, professional environment from day one.

The Super Lab can hold up to 250 students, making it one of the largest educational laboratories in the UK. It is well-equipped with the latest industry-standard equipment including facilities for biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, haematology and cell and molecular biology.

The kitchens are used for a variety of tasks to develop understanding of food processing relevant to industry and local authority food inspection, including how risks are controlled, investigating gas analysis of modified atmosphere packed products, and conducting a mock kitchen inspection.

People walking in front of a building which has a big library sign

Lanchester Library

The library is usually open 24/7, in term-time. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.

Glass modern building with a spire in the background

The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student life on campus. Facilities include a food court, convenience store, multi-faith centre, medical centre, hairdresser, coffee shops and the Your SU offices. It has fully licensed function spaces and a bar.

Two people working together with a laptop in front of them

Careers and employability

Get one-on-one career and employability guidance lasting up to 36 months from the end of your course. We’ll help you find placements and graduate roles, offer CV and application checks, mentoring, skills workshops, employer events and more.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

The course is aligned to the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health’s (CIEH) new APC-Food syllabus, and therefore ideal if you wish to complete the academic requirement of the Higher Certificate in Food Control (HCFC) to become an authorised Food Safety Practitioner as set out in the Food Law Code of Practice.

On successful completion of this course, you could pursue roles in the areas below.

Food industry

Food safety manager: oversees food safety programmes, conducts audits and ensures compliance with regulations.
Quality assurance manager: implements quality control measures, manages product inspections, and ensures product quality.

Government and public health

Food inspector: conducts inspections of food facilities to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
Public health officer: promotes public health and the prevention of foodborne illnesses.
Risk assessor: evaluates food safety risks and develops strategies to mitigate them.

Academic and research

Food safety researcher: researches food safety issues and develops new methods and technologies.
University lecturer: teaches food safety courses and conducts research.

Other potential roles

Food safety auditor: conducts audits of food facilities to assess their compliance with food safety standards.
Food safety trainer: provides training on food safety practices to food industry professionals.
Food safety writer: creates content related to food safety, such as articles, blogs and reports.

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online.

Full-time applications

Part-time applications

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Please read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degrees view our International hub.

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Where relevant, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) module content is undergoing assessment by the CMI to confirm that all criteria are met to the required standard. Whilst it is expected that students who successfully pass the module will be eligible to be considered by CMI for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice as an additional qualification, we cannot confirm this until the accreditation is approved. This is a normal part of the continuous improvement process for our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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