MSc Advanced Food Safety

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 recognized 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 program is delivered by IGFS researchers and focuses on the new and emerging issues threatening food safety and food security, and concentrates on the utilization 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 the English language to improve their written accuracy, structure, and criticality. English and Academic Skills courses focused primarily on 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 the English language and academic skills at any point.

Due to the popularity of this program, applicants are advised to apply as early as possible, and ideally no later than 30th June 2023 for courses that commence in mid-September. If any program 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 program 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 the deposit terms and conditions for more details.

Advanced Food Safety Highlights

Professional Accreditations

The program has undergone a professional accreditation process overseen by the Institute for Food Science and Technology (IFST). This provides quality assurance that the program offers students the best possible food-related education.

World Class Facilities

Purpose-built teaching and research facilities within the Institute for Global Food Security based within the Biological Sciences Building at Queens University Belfast.

Internationally Renowned Experts

You will study at a University which is ranked No 1 in the UK for Agriculture, Food, and Veterinary Sciences (REF 2021) and be taught and work alongside researchers at the very forefront of food safety research and learning. Delivered by world-leading research staff at the Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS), the MSc program focuses on new and emerging food safety issues and on developments in analytical approaches need to monitor and regulate food safety, authenticity, and security. You will gain an understanding and practical experience in the use of conventional and emerging state-of-the-art analytical technologies.

Student Experience

Advanced Food Safety MSc students will be provided with access to additional free course content aimed at helping students of all levels of the English language to improve their written accuracy, structure, and criticality. English and Academic Skills modules focused primarily on 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 the English language and academic skills at any point.

Queen’s University Belfast is ranked in the Top 200 Universities in the World (QS World University Rankings 2019)

140 in the world for graduate prospects (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020)

Founded in 1845 as Queen's College Belfast, one of three Queen's Colleges in Ireland, it became an independent university in 1908 and is the ninth oldest university in the UK. Today, Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group, combining excellence in research and education with a student-centred ethos.

Queen’s is ranked 8th in the UK for Research Intensity (REF 2014/ Times Higher Education) with over 75% of its research assessed as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in REF 2014.

We’re A Global University

Students enjoy being educated by world-leading academics working at the forefront of their disciplines and a significant investment in the student experience has resulted in high levels of student satisfaction and employability rates.

Global Research Institutes

Building on its disciplinary excellence, the University has created four flagship Global Research Institutes which bring leading academics together to tackle some of the greatest global challenges of our time in the areas of: Global Peace, Security and Justice; Cyber Security; Health Sciences; and Food Safety.

The Faculty Of Medicine, Health & Life Sciences

The Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences at Queen’s deliver high quality, leading-edge education, through world-class staff, focused on the needs of society. We provide an educational experience that is research-led and enriches our students intellectually, socially and culturally.

Our hope is that students from around the world will join with us to both learn and also bring new ideas and approaches to help drive forward our ambitions to enhance and advance life. Queen's is at the heart of Belfast's culture, as well as its art and social scenes. We're proud to be part of a bustling, cosmopolitan city boasting a vibrant social life and rich cultural heritage.

Addressing Global Challenges

Through our education and research, we strive to address some of the world’s greatest challenges, our academic staff undertake world-leading research through our Schools and Global research institutes in Health Sciences and Global Food Security. This has resulted in new treatments for patients and greater levels of protection for the food we eat.

Faculty Schools

The School of Biological Sciences The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences The School of Nursing and Midwifery The School of Pharmacy