Food Safety, Hygiene and Management

Postgraduate Certificate

Start date
September
Course Type
Postgraduate, Continuing professional development, Taught
Fees

We charge an annual tuition fee.
Fees for 2025/26:
£3,913 - UK students
Further fee information is available.

This new version of the postgraduate certificate in Food Safety Hygiene and Management is an accredited course designed for veterinary surgeons working in the UK meat industry who wish to acquire the Higher Certificate in Food Control.

The PG Certificate in Food Safety, Hygiene and Management is an existing programme of study that shares the taught elements of the MSc and PG Diploma in Food Safety Hygiene and Management.

The veterinary conversion version of the PG Certificate combines existing modules with two new specialist 10 credit modules to meet the requirements of the Higher Certificate in Food Control. The Higher Certificate in Food Control is the baseline qualification set by the Food Standards Agency for officers who deliver the full range of official food controls and enforcement sanctions.  

The course is part time and comprises 60 credits of taught material. Each module is of one week duration. You will be required therefore to attend 6 weeks of formal tuition, plus home study and assessment.  

This programme would be delivered over approximately 8 months of part time study (depending on the option modules selected) and could be completed within one academic year.

Why Study Food Safety, Hygiene and Management Postgraduate Certificate?

  • If you are a Veterinary Surgeon delivering Official Controls in slaughter houses or cutting plants, this course will help you towards the Higher Certificate in Food Control which will enable you to work in other food premises.
  • The Food Law Code of Practice (England) issued by the Food Standards Agency in 2015 and updated in March 2017 clarifies the training and qualification requirements for officers who can be authorised for the delivery of official controls (hygiene and standards). 
  • It sets the baseline qualification for such officers as the Higher Certificate in Food Control and has approved a syllabus that must be followed to acquire this qualification. 
  • EU Veterinary Surgeons with qualifications  listed in annex V point 5.4.2 DIRECTIVE 2005/36/EC can be approved to deliver controls in slaughter houses, game handling establishments and cutting plants but not in other food premises in the UK.
  • In order to deliver official controls in other premises they must also acquire the Higher Certificate in Food Control. Existing accredited routes to the Higher Certificate in Food Control are mainly designed for candidates with no previous enforcement experience.
  • This programme was designed as a fast track qualification for EU Veterinary Surgeons who already have experience in the delivery of official controls in UK slaughter houses, game handling establishments and cutting plants.
  • This version of the PG Certificate has been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health as fulfilling the academic part of the Higher Certificate in Food Control. In addition to the academic course, candidates must also complete a logbook and oral exam set by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.

Why choose Birmingham?

It provides an opportunity to:

  • Learn from a multidisciplinary team of leading specialists having applied knowledge and strong links with the government authorities and the food industry
  • Develop transferable skills that can be used for many aspects of food safety and security
  • Study in a School with a first class reputation in learning, teaching and research, based in a vibrant multicultural city
  •  Study a programme accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health

"I decided to undertake postgraduate studies in the UK because I was seeking a new academic challenge, I wanted to increase my knowledge, professional expertise and skills and also to develop my research skills, and finally I wanted to experience life in a different country at a university abroad."

Kostas Vassos, MSc Food Safety, Hygiene and Management

Modules

Compulsory modules

Optional modules

Choose 30 credits (three modules) in the winter term. Examples of optional modules are listed below:

Fees

Tuition fees for UK students 2025/26

Postgraduate Certificate: Part-time £3,913 - UK students

Postgraduate Loans (PGL) for Masters students

UK and EU students (with settled or pre-settled status) looking to pursue a Masters programme in the UK can apply for a non-means-tested loan from the British government via the Student Loans Company (SLC).

The loan will be paid directly to you, into a UK bank account. It is intended to provide a contribution towards the costs of Masters study and whether the loan is used towards fees, maintenance or other costs is at your own discretion.

Learn more about applying for PGL 

 

Scholarships

We offer a range of postgraduate scholarships for taught programmes and research opportunities to ensure the very best talent is nurtured and supported at postgraduate level.

 

How To Apply

International applicants requiring visas

Applications to this programme from students who are international for fees will close 30 June 2024. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full, early applications are encouraged.

UK and non-Tier 4 applicants

Applications will close 31 August 2024. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full, early applications are encouraged.

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Apply now

Our Standard Requirements

  • A recognized veterinary qualification as detailed in Directive 2005/36/EC annex 5 point 5.4.2
  • A minimum of two years relevant experience in the UK
  • Competency in English (IELTS 6 with no less than 5.5 in any band or equivalent)

 Learn more about entry requirements. 

Our mission is to carry out research of the highest academic quality, which is novel, challenging and relevant to users. 

The School of Chemical Engineering at Birmingham is one of the three largest centres for the postgraduate education of chemical engineers in the UK. We have pioneered development and research in rapidly expanding new areas such as pharmaceuticals and bioproducts, food processing, hydrogen fuel cells and energy research, as well as having leading-edge groups in healthcare technologies

Research Themes

  • Formulation Engineering
    We are developing solutions to problems facing industries in the food, pharmaceutical, biotechnological, fast moving consumer goods and speciality products.
  • Energy
    Improving quality of life demands the supply of increasing amounts of energy and consumer chemicals, whilst at the same time global warming has become a major cause for concern. The Energy research theme addresses the challenges of introducing the hydrogen economy to replace the current reliance on carbon-based fuels.
  • Healthcare Technologies
    Our experts are working together to advance new technologies and treatments that enable people to live longer, healthier and happier lives.

The modules employ a mix of learning strategies, including  formal lectures, problem based case studies, tutorials, directed learning, e-learning (Canvas) and in some modules, laboratory/practical sessions.

The two modules which take place in the autumn term (Food Production(Vet Conv)) and Food Enforcement (Vet Conv))  are only available to candidates completing  this accredited route to the Higher Certificate in Food Control.

All the other modules will be shared with candidates on the MSC/PgDip in Food Safety Hygiene and Management.

The Higher Certificate in Food Control is the baseline qualification set by the Food Standards Agency for officers who deliver the full range of official food controls and enforcement sanctions.  

Officers with the Higher Certificate in Food Control can deliver the fill range of official controls in food premises for the FSA and for Local Authorities.

University Careers Network

Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.

Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge.

If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.

Professional Accreditation