Food Safety (Online Learning)

Overview

This Food Safety (Online Learning)  programme from The University of Edinburgh  is aimed at busy professionals keen to acquire in-depth knowledge on food safety, with relevant backgrounds in:

• public health

• food and beverage

• agriculture

• veterinary

• biology

This programme would be suitable for those with an undergraduate degree in:

• agricultural sciences

• biological science 

• food systems

• veterinary medicine

• human medicine

It is also suitable if you are a/an:

• agriculture professional

• rural industries professional

• food industry professional

• government official

• international organisation employee

• researcher in food safety

• third sector employee

What will I learn?

Uniquely positioned to provide a holistic (“farm to fork”) food safety approach to the food chain, this MSc covers key food safety issues in:

• agricultural food production

• harvest

• slaughter

• processing

• storage

• transport

• retail

• consumption

This MSc considers the pre- and post-harvest stages of agricultural food production. It incorporates:

• the drivers and economics of food safety throughout the food chain,

• how to minimize, detect and deal with potential hazards in crop production, animal products, food processing, manufacture, and storage

• how to collect and analyse data from a foodborne disease outbreak

• a guide to relevant microbial and chemical hazards, and testing systems.

• designing and implementing food safety management systems

• an introduction to animal welfare and food safety/quality concerns on farms, transport vehicles, slaughterhouses, meat processing plants, including waste management

• guides to relevant legislation, comparing legislation and issues with labelling, traceability, enforcement, and food fraud

• other topics are available in elective options

Career opportunities

This programme gives solid grounds to enhance your career, to help secure a position, or to pursue a different career in food safety related organisations. Whether for the government, for the industry or in research, for example to prepare for a PhD in Food Safety or to have a more hands-on experience.

As a graduate of the food safety programme, you have a range of options, often progressing your current careers to a higher level.

There are careers available in managing, auditing, and inspecting food safety and quality in both large and small production and manufacturing environments.

Some of our students are vets and are progressing their careers in veterinary public health.

Others run their own businesses, or are setting up their own businesses, and are aware of their need to be up-to-date with the legislation and current food traceability, safety and quality issues.

Local and international governmental and non-governmental organisations are also destinations for food safety experts.