MSc Food Safety

If you have a relevant agricultural and/or food-related background and you'd like to gain in-depth knowledge about food safety, this is the course for you.

Course overview

This MSc course is designed to provide a holistic view of food safety as it applies to the human food supply chain.

Incorporating pre and post-harvest stages of food production, it examines crop safety, animal welfare and the economics of the supply chain.

The programme would be suitable for those who have an undergraduate degree in agricultural sciences, biological science, food systems, veterinary medicine and human medicine.

It's also suitable for professionals from agriculture, food or rural industries, as well as government officials, international organisations, researchers in food safety and the third sector.

Delivered part time through online learning, the course covers a period of three to six years.

What you'll learn

This MSc course is delivered by SRUC and the University of Edinburgh. It delivers critical identification, evaluation and assessment of the main theories, principles and concepts related to sources and pathways of foodborne hazards along the food chain. It also studies the formulation of bespoke intervention strategies to mitigate public health risks.

You'll learn to apply critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis to animal health and welfare and plant and environmental health as an integral part of food safety. You'll examine how this can help improve production efficiency and save resources.

Undergraduate Honours Degree (First, 2:1 or equivalent) in agricultural or biological science, veterinary or human medicine. We may also consider applications from those with relevant work experience (in a related area of food safety or food related matters for three or more years).