MSc Food Quality and Safety with Industrial Practise

A practical Masters combining food quality, food safety, sustainability and work placement.

Course detail

Start Date

January,September

Duration

Full-time: 12 months (Sep start) or 16 months (Jan start) | Part-time: 24 months (Sep start) or 28 months (Jan start)

Award Title

MSc

UCAS Code

Apply Direct

Programme Overview

The quality and safety of our food are vitally important in ensuring we have edible, nourishing and varied options at all price points. With changes to UK food and drink processing laws in the wake of Brexit, the industry must continue to maintain the highest standards.

This brand-new Food Quality and Safety with Industrial Practise MSc will provide you with: 

  • The knowledge and technical skills to assess food quality and safety in an industrial setting

  • The analytical skills to address issues encountered by consumers and producers concerned with food safety and quality

Environmental sustainability

A key component to food safety is environmental sustainability, the importance of which is increasing on an exponential level. This Master’s maintains this thread throughout your studies – making it the only programme of its type to do this.

The programme will provide an understanding of the practical application of environmental management, and its role in the strategic development and operation of organisations and activities.

 

You will be able to evaluate the environmental performance of an organisation or activity and recommend appropriate measures to minimise pollution and food waste, and design appropriate control systems. Upon graduation, you will understand the policy, legal & ethical issues, and technical factors which influence environmental management to operate and plan sustainable projects. 

You will be taught by a team of academics with a wealth of experience in the food sector, have contact with leading figures in industry, and take part in either a research project or industry placement.

As a graduate of this programme, you will have:

  • The knowledge and understanding to embrace the challenges around food quality, safety and sustainability – both in local, national and international contexts

  • The ability to manage and control foodborne disease

  • The skills to develop methodologies required to address issues arising from food directives and other forms of statutory instruments

  • The knowledge to integrate results and reach conclusions regarding the holistic problems of food quality, safety and sustainability

Please note: you will initially be registered on the MSc Food Quality, Safety and Innovation, which includes a research project. All students will have the opportunity to apply to undertake an industrial placement as an alternative to the research project. Placements are subject to an interview with the placement provider. If successful, you will be moved on to the MSc Food Quality and Safety with Industrial Practise.

Postgraduate Information Sessions: Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences.

Our Postgraduate Information Sessions for the Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences start on Monday 24 March, 2025.

If you're keen to specialise in a particular field, think you might progress - or even change - your career with further study, or have an area of research you want to explore, then come along and find out what Abertay can offer.

  • Speak with academic staff who will guide you in your learning

  • Find out about the support on offer and ask about funding, admissions processes, or anything else you want to know about.

Simply fill out a quick form to secure your place.

REGISTER HERE

Request your Postgraduate Guide

Our Postgraduate Guide contains information about all our postgraduate programmes. It also has pages dedicated to the University, the beautiful city of Dundee, how to apply, support services ... and much more!

REQUEST POSTGRADUATE GUIDE

Entry Requirements

UK Entry

Applicants should have a minimum of a lower second-class (2:2) honours degree in a subject related to biological sciences, chemical sciences, environmental sciences, food sciences, agricultural and biological science.

Applicants with non-standard qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, determined by prior study, work experience, professional qualifications, and references.

International Entry

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants from across the world. Please select the country of your qualification from the searchable list below to view entry requirements. If you have different qualifications to those listed, please contact us using the form below.

  • Afghanistan
  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • Andorra
  • Angola
  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Aruba
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahamas
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Barbados
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Belize
  • Benin
  • Bermuda
  • Bhutan
  • Bolivia
  • Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • British Overseas Territories
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Bulgaria
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cambodia
  • Cameroon
  • Canada
  • Cape Verde
  • Cayman Islands
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Comoros
  • Congo
  • Congo (Democratic Republic)
  • Cook Islands
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cuba
  • Curacao
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Djibouti
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • East Timor (Timor-Leste)
  • Ecuador
  • Egypt
  • El Salvador
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Estonia
  • Eswatini
  • Ethiopia
  • Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
  • Faroe Islands
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • French Overseas Territories
  • French Polynesia
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Ghana
  • Greece
  • Greenland
  • Grenada
  • Guadeloupe
  • Guatemala
  • Guinea
  • Guinea Bissau
  • Guyana
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Iraq
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire)
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Kiribati
  • Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
  • Korea, Republic of
  • Kosovo
  • Kuwait
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Lao PDR
  • Latvia
  • Lebanon
  • Lesotho
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macao
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Malaysia
  • Maldives
  • Mali
  • Malta
  • Marshall Islands
  • Martinique
  • Mauritania
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Micronesia, Federated States of
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Montserrat
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Myanmar
  • Namibia
  • Nauru
  • Nepal
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Niue
  • North Macedonia
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Palau
  • Palestine, State of
  • Panama
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Puerto Rico
  • Qatar
  • Reunion
  • Romania
  • Russian Federation
  • Rwanda
  • Saint Barthélemy
  • Saint Martin
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Samoa
  • San Marino
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Senegal
  • Serbia
  • Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
  • Singapore
  • Sint Maarten (Dutch Part)
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Solomon Islands
  • Somalia
  • South Africa
  • South Sudan
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • St Helena, Ascension & Tristan da Cunha
  • St Lucia
  • St Pierre And Miquelon
  • St. Kitts-Nevis
  • Sudan
  • Suriname
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Syrian Arab Republic (Syria)
  • Taiwan
  • Tajikistan
  • Tanzania,United Republic of
  • Thailand
  • Togo
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Turkmenistan
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • Tuvalu
  • Uganda
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United States of America
  • United States Overseas Territories
  • Uruguay
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vanuatu
  • Vatican City
  • Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
  • Vietnam (Viet Nam)
  • Western Sahara
  • Yemen
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Academic Requirements

Applicants with non-standard qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, determined by prior study, work experience, professional qualifications, and references.


All courses at Abertay University are taught in English. If your first language is not English, you will need to demonstrate that you meet our English language requirements.

Please see English Language Requirements for the full list of accepted qualifications and further details.

For more information on the application process, tuition fees and scholarships, studying in Scotland, and to contact our International Team, please visit our International Students page.

 

The integration of real-world scenarios into the curriculum plays a crucial role in preparing students, like me, for the demands of our future professions. I want to commend Jonathan Wilkin and the teaching team for emphasising the practical aspect of learning in the Food Microbiology course. Thank you once again for your commitment to providing a holistic and practical learning experience.
Nessa Pahlava | Abertay University | MSc Food Quality, Safety and Innovation

How the Course Works

The Master’s will be taught using blended learning. You will attend on-campus, face-to-face lectures and tutorials, alongside online sessions.

Full-time on campus students will complete the degree in one year: The academic year consists of three terms with the Master's project module completed in term 3.

Part-time on campus students will complete the degree in two years: Year 1 consist of two terms, and Year 2 of three terms with the Master's project module completed in the final term.

 

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Learning

Lectures may be used to present key concepts, theories and techniques. Tutorials and laboratory-based activities increase your understanding of the subject and develop your competence and confidence in technological and theoretical work.

Throughout your course, you’ll be required to actively participate in group work, discussions, seminars, and private study.

Assessment

The taught course will be assessed using a combination of written coursework, presentations, examinations and portfolios, with a written dissertation at MSc level.

Scotland's first Adobe Creative Campus

All Abertay students have access to Adobe Express, empowering you to enhance digital skills with industry-leading tools.

In late 2024, Abertay proudly became the first institution in Scotland to achieve the designation of Adobe Creative Campus.

The Adobe Creative Campus programme is an initiative involving a select group of colleges and universities dedicated to empowering staff and students across all disciplines with essential digital skills for success in both the workplace and the classroom.

Adobe Creative Campus

Modules (Subject to change)

Environmental Management (EEM500)

Provides students with a series of practical management tools with which environmental issues can be managed, within both the public and private sector. Students are enabled to examine the policy, legal and ethical framework in which projects operate and to develop the necessary skills to manage diverse teams in a sustainable manner.

Food Safety and Microbiology (FOD508)

The aim of this module is to provide you with an understanding of the principles and the application of food safety and hygiene management systems and methodologies.

Project Management (BMT530) (BMT530)

The complexity of project management and the tools and techniques to support successful management. Carry out an investigation into a project failure and recommend alternative actions which could have been taken. Module content: Project analysis and planning; Managing projects; Project management methodologies.

Food Chemistry and Safety (FOD509)

The aim of this Module is to enable you to understand and apply the theory and practicalities behind analytical chemistry. This includes chromatographic techniques used in food chemistry and how to use spectroscopic techniques to identify chemical hazard, assess authenticity and food fraud.

Research Methods (GRS501) (GRS501)

This module is designed to introduce postgraduate students to research methods and statistical analysis. Theoretical, historical, and statistical concepts are taught in lectures with hands-on practical lab sessions using both quantitative and qualitative techniques that allow students to put theory into practice.

MSc Dissertation (Industrial Practise) (EEM518)

This module allows you to undertake an in-depth, work-based investigation in a relevant area of interest within an applied context in the industry. You will consolidate theory, examine practice and provide a basis for the writing of a substantial dissertation.

Waste and Wastewater Management (EEM408)

Regulatory and technical aspects of waste and wastewater treatment and management. Module content: Waste & Contaminated Land Regulations, Waste Characterisation, Collection, Transport and Storage, Waste Management and Treatment Technologies, Contaminated Land Management and Remediation, Wastewater Management and Treatment, Sludge Treatment and Management.

Clinical Nutrition 2 (FOD402)

The role of nutrition on the prevention and management of a variety of diseases. Module content: Risk factors for major causes of illness - use of epidemiological and intervention studies to characterise risk factors for major causes of morbidity and mortality; Principles of the management of diseases (e.g. cancer, anaemia, diabetes type 2, gastrointestinal disorders; metabolic disorders); Role of Nutrition in the prevention of diseases; Dietary intervention strategies; Nutrition support (e.g. enteral and parenteral nutrition).

New Product Development 2 (FOD404)

Learn to conduct development projects in the food industry. Develop and design a product formulation and production process for a defined food product concept and produce and market it at pilot scale. Module content: Kitchen Scale development of a concept through to development of a commercial formulation; Application of experimental design in food prototype and pilot scale development of a food product; Upscale of kitchen formula for generating large enough number of units for market evaluation; Quantitative consumer market evaluation; A study of the requirements and feasibility of factory scale manufacture, including financial analysis and food safety considerations; Consideration of ethical, legal and social issues, including product and plant safety and environmental impact; Commercialisation and product launch.

Information for International Applicants

Learn more about Abertay's English language requirements, as well as visa information.

English Language Requirements

Explore English language requirements for entry to Abertay University.

Find out more

Visa Information

All the information you need about visa requirements for studying here at Abertay University.

Find out more

International Students

Find everything you need to know about applying to Abertay as an international student.

Find out more

Fees and funding

Please note: this course will run over 16 months full-time and 26 months part-time if you begin your studies in January.

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you depends on factors such as your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. Visit the links below and scroll down to find the Postgraduate section.

More information

Find out about grants, bursaries, maintenance loans and living costs in our postgraduate taught fees and funding section.

Scholarships

Abertay Postgraduate Taught rUK Scholarship

This £1,000 award is open to all prospective new postgraduate students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

International Postgraduate Abertay Scholarships

This £3,000 award is open to all prospective new international postgraduate students at Abertay University.

Career Options

This Master's will prepare you to enter a wide range of food and drink industry careers, including:

  • Technical manager

  • Food Technologist

  • Quality Assurance Manager

  • Process Development Technologist

  • Compliance & QA Technologist

  • Sustainable Sourcing Manager

It also provides you with the knowledge and understanding to undertake further academic research.

 

 

State-of-the-Art Facilities

Our £3.5m laboratory facilities are the only ones of their type in Scotland. As a food student, you'll have access to:

  • A world-leading sensory and consumer science lab

  • Fully specified biological and chemical science labs.

  • A fully food-standard production/pilot plant

  • UHT and Pasteurisation with inline homogenisation and sterile filling instruments

  • Freeze and spray drying fascilities

  • Small-scale brewing

  • Packing facilities, including MAP (vacuum tray sealer with gas injection systems)

  • Texture analysis

  • High shear mixing with our Silverson mixer.

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