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Certificate of Higher Education in Food Safety & Food Legislation
- Delivery formatOnline and in person
- Start dateSeptemberDuration1 year full-time, 2 years part-time. 120 credits.
- Entry requirementsFormal or experiential knowledge of the basics of food hygiene and food safety
- FeesFull time - 6,624. Part-time 3,312 / year
Course overview
Become a Food Safety Inspector in one year with the Certificate of Higher Education in Food Safety and Food Legislation. You'll receive specialist training in hygiene laws, food microbiology, legislation and enforcement.
Prepare for Food Officer roles in local authorities, independent auditing companies and wider food and catering roles with a qualification valued throughout the food industry.
Course Structure
This one year full-time or two year part-time course is arranged as a combination of distance learning and block release. Each year comprises 60 credits of study. This equates to approximately 600 hours (100 days) of student effort.
Year 1 has been designed to cover the fundamentals of Food Safety and Food Law. Basic microbiology is covered, and the emphasis is on the Food Safety Act 1990 and associated EU directives and domestic legislation.
This year consists of three modules: Introduction to Food Law, Food Safety & Risk Assessment (40 credits) and Food Inspection (10 Credits) and Premises Inspection (10 credits).
Course highlights
Birmingham is ranked 80th in the QS World University Rankings 2025, maintaining our position in the top 100 universities globally and placing us 12th amongst UK universities.
Develop the skills to succeed in a food industry career. Learn about food standards, hygiene laws, food microbiology and inspections. You'll be prepared to progress your career in food standards, food production and business.
You’ll learn the academic knowledge required to gain the Higher Certificate in Food Control awarded by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health so you can be authorised to carry out inspections.
- Increase your knowledge of common food legislation
- Gain a fundamental understanding of the principles of Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment (HACCP)
- Learn about the common food borne pathogens and their significance
- Understand how to critically assess current issues in food safety as you cover the academic syllabus for the Higher Certificate in Food Control.
Course delivery
Your lectures, tutorials and laboratory practical's will take place at our beautiful Birmingham campus, but a large proportion will take place in your own time (distance learning and private study).
Some of the topics covered during your two years on the course will include:
- The main hygiene laws that apply to food businesses
- The powers of enforcement officers
- Food premises inspections
- HACCP
- Food microbiology
- Food identification and judgement of fitness
- Advanced food legislation & enforcement
- Hygiene management
- Food technologies
- Food Standards, labelling and composition.
- Advanced food microbiology
Attendance at the University in the first year is concentrated mainly between September and May (on average, 3 days (Mon-Wed) per month during term time).
In the second year attendance requirements consist typically of one, three-day block per month. Total contact time in each year is approximately 24 days.
Module information
This one year full-time or two year part-time course is arranged as a combination of distance learning and block release. Each year comprises 60 credits of study. This equates to approximately 600 hours (100 days) of student effort.
The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.
As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.
Core modules
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Extended Inspection/Audit | 10 | Semester 2 |
| Food Inspection | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Introduction to Food Law, Safety and Risk Assessment | 40 | Semester 1 |
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
There are no formal entrance requirements for the Certificate of Higher Education in Food Safety and Food Legislation.
However, Candidates will be expected to have either formal or experiential knowledge of the basics of food hygiene and food safety and references are required from previous or current employers.
A reasonable level of written English is also required in order to succeed on this course.
Typically, candidates might have a City & Guilds plus several years' experience in catering and /or manufacturing role; a Level 3 (Intermediate) or Level 4 (Advanced) Food Hygiene Award from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (or other equivalent). Candidates who are unsure whether their experience will be appropriate should contact the course coordinator to discuss the matter.
Candidates wishing to join the Food Safety Practitioner Register and gain the Higher Certificate in Food Control with the CIEH will also need to complete six months structured training within a Local Authority and complete the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health interview. This is mandatory if you aim to work for a Local Authority.
Fees and scholarships
- £6,624
full-time.
- £3,312
/ year, part-time.
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Paying your tuition fees
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
The closing date for applications is the 31st August in the year the programme starts.
Early application is advised as there are limited places available. Late applications will be considered if places are still available on the programme.
Normally for UK students only. International students should email the programme lead to discuss eligibility.
How to apply to our taught courses
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate taught programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
Career opportunities
The Certificate of Higher Education in Food Safety and Food Legislation will provide you with specialist learning opportunities in food safety, helping to further your career in the food industry. The programme is especially useful if you are in supervisory, training or management positions and to Local Authority Inspectors.
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Built in Birmingham. Forged for the future.
Find out why we are the most targeted UK university by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2024) by meeting some of our successful alumni.
Student experience
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham is a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Campus life
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
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