Food Safety

This programme is aimed at students with relevant agricultural and food related background keen to acquire in-depth knowledge on Food Safety. The MSc is specifically designed to provide a true holistic Food Safety approach to the food chain that incorporates the pre- and post-harvest stages of food production, crop safety, animal welfare and economics of the supply chain.  

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. 

Careers 

There are many and diverse prospects for employment depending on where you want to work. 

Graduates are equipped with the fundamental knowledge and expertise to be able to influence and promote food safety at different levels of their organisation. The programme offers solid grounds to enhance existing careers, to secure a position in food safety related organisations or prepare for further study (eg. a PhD). 

Examples of potential employment areas in the UK: 

• Food Standards Agency (FSA) 
• Food Standards Scotland (FSS) 
• Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) 
• Local Authorities (Environmental Health Offices) 

Virtual Open Days 

Virtual drop-in sessions are available for prospective postgraduate online students. Visit our website for more information: https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/open-days-events-visits/online-events 

Video introduction

MSc, PGDip, PGCert, PPD

The online, part-time format of our teaching is particularly suited to students with busy lives.  The flexible learning environment can be adapted to suit individual needs and online study allows you to study at a location that is convenient for you.

The School has been teaching online taught postgraduate programmes since 2008 and online learning is treated as seriously as in-person.  Our digital teaching platform has a dedicated e-learning team to ensure the teaching runs smoothly and students have access to support and welfare staff throughout their studies.

This programme will be supported by an experienced team of two programme co-directors, co-ordinator, administrator and course leaders and each student is provided with a professional mentor and student adviser.

Key features of the programme are study guides, lecture notes, textbook and journal excerpts and interactive online discussions, enabling students from a range of disciplines to bring their unique perspectives to build a community of online students.

How online learning works at the University of Edinburgh 

The MSc programme begins in September and runs part-time over a period of 3-6 years. The programme is delivered using a blend of online learning methods, supported by the University’s award-winning online learning environments.  

Students enrolling onto standalone short courses may have start dates throughout the academic year.

The programme is structured to allow sequential progression from short courses* to Certificate, Diploma and MSc phases however, there are several earlier exit points.

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Students can opt to take time out from learning if work or family life are impacted too much. It is also possible to pay per course** to help spread the cost of your studies.

*^{also referred to as the Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) scheme}

**^{The University uses the terminology 'course', and sometimes 'module', to refer to the individual components that make up a degree programme}

Certificate and Diploma

The Certificate phase comprises four core courses from within the programme (see Content tab). 

The Diploma phase comprises of a further core courses from within the programme and elective courses (see Content tab).

Masters (MSc)

The dissertation element gives students the opportunity to further develop scientific skills and apply scientific theory, in a less structured learning environment. 

The dissertation is designed to advance your understanding of the processes and planning involved in undertaking research and to develop your scientific written communication skills, research ethics, statistics and the principle of good research practice.

This is a self-directed course but you are supported by an allocated subject-specific expert supervisor, statistician and experienced researchers from within the programme team.  You are also encouraged, where appropriate, to work closely with senior staff at your home institution. 

20 credit courses (elsewhere often called ‘modules’) are delivered in 2 blocks of 5 weeks of study plus 1 week of independent study and reflection time in between.

10 credit courses are delivered over a period of 5 weeks. The majority of the lecture material is pre-recorded so that it can be watched at any time.

Each 10 credits represents 100 hours of study time and a time commitment of 20hrs per week.

Year 1 

​​​​​Year 2 

*Research Methods & Data Analysis course is core for progressing to MSc

A selection of elective courses are available which allow students to follow their own interests. Electives can also be taken from within other programmes by arrangement. 

Years 3 - 6 

Students must complete the Dissertation Element in a single academic year by the end of Year 6 of study. 

Course availability 

Although all courses are offered, we will not be able to guarantee that all courses will be available to all students, each year. This will be dependent upon numbers of students and availability of places on non-programme owned courses. 

The Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) scheme is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their knowledge through postgraduate-level learning, without the time, or financial commitment, of a full award.

You may take a maximum of 50 credits worth of courses over two years and gain a University of Edinburgh postgraduate award of academic credit.

You can also choose to continue your studies after one year and put credits towards a postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or full Masters degree.  Any time spent taking courses through the PPD scheme will be deducted from the amount of time you have left to complete the higher award.

To view the Applied Poultry Science short courses available within the PPD scheme and details on how to apply, please visit the Credit-bearing standalone short courses page. 

We have a number of internationally recognised experts in their field contributing to the teaching of this programme.

As a recently qualified veterinarian working in the public health industry, I quickly noticed myself asking more and more questions that my undergraduate degree could not provide all the answers to.  Not only were there times where I felt ill-equipped for some of the challenges I faced in this vast industry, but I also had the desire to unlock greater career opportunities.  These are some of the factors that lead me to discover the MSc in Food Safety offered by the University of Edinburgh.

Living and working full time in South Africa, I was initially sceptical as to the practical aspects, including how the course would be presented and possible time constraints.  Even though there have been some challenging days, the manner in which the course is designed and the support from the academic staff have been second to none. Concepts such as statistics, which I found intimidating in a full-time undergraduate environment, were made accessible  and understandable in this course. 

The MSc in Food Safety offered by the University of Edinburgh has enriched my perspective on food and the food industry in a remarkable way.  In a world where knowledge is expanding at a rapid pace, especially when it comes to a sector that is specialised and complex, I have found this masters degree to be invaluable.  Not only does it provide a solid base of knowledge, but it addresses wider relevant and current issues such as antimicrobial resistance, chemical residues and animal welfare in food production.  I fully intend to complete this postgraduate degree over the next two years, and I am excited to extend my knowledge and deepen my perspective even further. 

I would recommend this to any individual with an interest in food safety and a curious mind.  Whether you have been in the field for some time and would like to know more, or whether you intend to change the course of your career entirely, this degree will guide you in that prospect.

Matthys Uys - 2018-2021, MSc Food Safety

I highly recommend this postgraduate course.  I was apprehensive at the start as I have been away from university since graduation from University College Dublin in 2004 but the online support and mentoring I have received has made my decision to join this course one of the best both personally and professionally.  The course is outstanding and the knowledge learnt has impacted on my job as a veterinarian.  The course is well structured and the subjects are interesting.  There is huge back-up from top class tutors.  With a full-time job and a young child I was worried it would be very difficult for me to get back into education but this course was the ideal choice.  To anyone thinking about joining, I would say just do it!

Joanna Robinson - 2018 - 2023, MSc Food Safety

I pursued this program because of my interest in the field.  My hope at the end of this experience was to gain knowledge and recognised qualifications to develop as a young individual and make myself more marketable for potential jobs while building a career.  However I gained much more than this and my expectations were surpassed beyond anything I could imagine.  I not only gained knowledge but a deeper insight in all angles of food safety and the different aspects involved.

Reneka Guy - PG Cert Food Safety, 2019-20

The programme would be most suitable for graduates with an undergraduate degree to a minimum UK 2:1 Honours Degree (or its equivalent) in agricultural or biological science, veterinary or human health sciences. 

We may also be able to consider applications from candidates below a 2:1, or a degree in another discipline, where they can demonstrate relevant experience working with a food safety focus or in food-related matters over three or more years.  If you are unsure if you meet the entry criteria, please contact the programme team on food.safety@ed.ac.uk. 

Once successfully on the programme, completion of core courses is a pre-requisite for progression to subsequent courses. 

English language requirements 

If English is not your first language, we will also need to see evidence of your English language proficiency before we can offer you a place. 

English language requirements

Tuition fees 

Please note that you can pay for the programme on a course (module) basis. Each course is 20 credits and the dissertation year is equivalent to 60 credits. 

Tuition fees for online learning

Tuition fee discount for some of our former graduates 

Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding

The University of Edinburgh subscribes to a funding database specifically for those looking for funding to support postgraduate studies.  The guide contains a huge database of funding opportunities, comprehensive guidance and tools to help you prepare a winning grant application including.

The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding Online

Scholarship information 

It is recommended that you conduct your own research on this, but you can refer to the University Scholarship website to view suggestions on Scholarships. 

Online distance learning scholarships 

ITA Scotland 

Get up to £200 towards the cost of a training course with an SDS Individual Training Account (ITA). 

You could use the money to build the skills you need for a job. Or get some training to take your career to the next level. Whatever you want to do, there is a wide range of ITA approved courses on offer. 

ITA Scotland 

UK government postgraduate loans 

If you are planning to study with us, you could be eligible for a postgraduate loan towards your fees. From this year, online programmes are also eligible for this funding (please note, restrictions apply) 

This funding is available for UK nationals, those with settled status, and in some cases, EU nationals not resident in the UK. 

Learn more about postgraduate loans and submit your application 

Online application form 

Applications must be submitted through the University’s online application service, EUCLID. Offers cannot be made without a fully completed online application. 

Apply for this degree 

Personal Statement

Please use the Personal Statement section to outline your motivation to study this programme, the knowledge you hope to gain and how this fits with your future career plans. 

Contact details 

If you would like more information on applying for this programme, please contact our team using the address below: 

Programme Team 

Email: Food.Safety@ed.ac.uk 

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