Food Safety (Advanced)

The MSc in Advanced Food Safety is tailored towards students who aim to, or currently work within the agri-food industry and related sectors. It will offer the opportunity to obtain a unique qualification in the fields of food safety and security delivered by research-active scientists within the newly formed Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS). The programme focus will be on new and emerging issues within the field of food safety, concentrating on developments in analytical approaches to monitor and regulate food safety, authenticity and security.

Core topics covered will include:

• food authenticity and traceability;
• chemical/biological hazards in animal feed and human food;
• current and emerging analytical technologies to prevent food safety incidents.

WHY QUEEN'S?

A major component of this degree will involve the completion of a laboratory-based, food safety related research project within the Institute, offering the opportunity to gain practical experience in the use of conventional and emerging state-of-the-art bioanalytical technology platforms.

Facilities and capabilities within the Institute include:

• GC, HPLC and UPLC separation platforms
• ICP, IR, qToF and QqQ mass spectrometers
• Microbiological research facilities
• Antibody production and biomolecule binder development
• Cell culture suite and bioassay detection systems
• NMR, NIR and Raman spectrometers
• Proteomic and metabolomic profiling tools
• RT-PCR, transcriptomic profiling, Next-generation sequencing
• Multiplex biosensor platforms and LFD development

The MSc Advanced Food Safety programme will focus on new and emerging issues within the field of food safety, concentrating on developments in analytical approaches to monitor and regulate food safety, authenticity and security. Core topics covered will include food authenticity and traceability; chemical/biological hazards in animal feed and human food; current and emerging analytical technologies to prevent food safety incidents. This content will be delivered through a number of defined modules assessed by continuous assessment and examination:

• Advanced Food Bioanalysis
• Agri-food Traceability and Fraud
• Bio-entrepreneurship and Advanced Skills
• Food Safety,Health and Disease
• Foundations for Research in the Biosciences
• Literature Review
• Research Project (triple module)

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above in a relevant area of science or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Applicants with qualifications below 2.2 Honours degree standard (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) will be considered on a case-by-case basis, if they can demonstrate appropriate experience, acceptable to the School.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes. Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this programme, our partner INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability to entry to this programme.

English for University Study - an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level

Pre-sessional English - a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English

Applicants from the UK and other EU countries
Please note: Where it states 'UK residents' qualifying residency and citizenship/nationality criteria apply.

* Department of Employment and Learning (DEL) Postgraduate Research Studentships

Funded by the Department of Employment and Learning, these are offered in most subject areas.

UK residents: fees plus maintenance
Other EU residents: fees only

* DEL (CAST) Co-operative Awards in Science and Technology

These awards are for specific research projects in collaboration with an industrial sponsor in the following Schools/areas: Biomedical Sciences in School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences; School of Biological Sciences; School of Pharmacy; School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering; School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and the School of Mathematics and Physics.

UK residents: fees plus maintenance
Other EU residents: fees only

A CAST studentship may also include a contribution from the industrial collaborating body.

Visit the School websites listed above for details concerning potential DEL CAST

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

Awards are available for both Masters and Doctoral degrees in humanities subject areas.

Applicants should apply via Queen's for funding and should not apply directly to AHRC.

UK residents: fees plus maintenance
Other EU residents: fees only

Queen's School Funding Opportunities

Some Schools have funding available for postgraduate PhD or taught Masters courses.

North-South Postgraduate Scholarships

Scholarships are available for students undertaking a recognised Masters or the first year of a PhD programme (taught or research) in the other Irish jurisdiction.

Applicants from outside the EU
If you are applying to Queen's from outside the EU, you are advised to explore fully the funding opportunities for studying in the UK available from sources in your own country. Some closing dates are as early as a year before commencing studies, so please make sure to apply in good time.

Some of the main awards are listed:

Department for International Development (DFID) Shared Scholarship Scheme

This award is for specific one-year taught postgraduate courses. The award cover tuition fees, a maintenance grant and travel costs. Only students from developing Commonwealth countries are eligible to apply.

British Chevening Awards

* The Foreign and Commonwealth Office funds a number of British Chevening scholaships for postgraduate study, mainly for one-year taught Masters degrees.
* Candidates must apply directly to the University for admission before applying for a Chevening Scholarship. Contact the British Embassy, British High Commission or British Council Office in your own country.

Applicants from USA
If you are a US citizen, you are eligible to apply for the following awards tenable at Queen's

George J Mitchell Scholarships

Fulbright Scholarships

Mary McNeill Scholarship (for US and Canadian citizens undertaking MA Irish Studies