This programme, which is underpinned by current and ongoing research, will give students a detailed understanding of the issues affecting food safety both from the perspective of the food industry and regulatory authorities, as well as enabling students to develop the necessary analytical skills and theoretical understanding to manage food safety programmes within global food companies or within national and international food safety regulatory agencies. This programme is designed for and will appeal to Science or Technology graduates who currently don’t have a qualification in Food Safety, as well as professionals who are currently working in the Food Industry, that wish to upskill and further develop their expertise in food safety.
Delivered by leading international experts from the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science and the UCD Institute of Food and Health the MSc Food Safety will develop committed and interdisciplinarily trained graduates skilled in the area of Food Safety in the context of the broader food industry
Modules include a mixture of autonomous student learning, course work, and lectures. The course is assessed by a combination of assignments, in-trimester continuous assessment exercises, and end-of-trimester examinations.
Modules for students enrolling in this programme include: • Advanced Food Safety and Security • Bioinformatics in Food Safety • Food Chain Integrity • Food Microbiology and Safety • Food Preservation • Food Safety Project • Food Security: Food Access and Availability • Microbiology • One Health • Precision Food Safety in the Genomics Era • Quantitative Risk Assessment for Human and Animal Health • Research Design and Statistics • Risk Analysis in Food Safety • Traceability and Authenticity in Food Supply
This programme is delivered and assessed entirely online. The minimum registration to the MSc is two years, however, students have four years in which to complete the programme thereby affording flexibility. The online format of the programme enables students enrolled to combine studying while in employment.
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
The UCD MSc in Food Safety positions graduates for leadership roles in this critically important area for the Irish and Global economy.
There are excellent career opportunities for graduates in advisory, technical, and management roles both within the food industry, government organisations, and regulatory agencies.
Graduate Roles include:
Food Regulation
Food Safety and Risk Analysis
Food Safety Research
Policy Development
Scientiï¬c Analyst
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
September 2025
Applicants must hold a minimum of an upper second-class level 8 degree, or international equivalent, in a cognate subject (Science, Engineering, or related discipline) and/or have considerable relevant work experience in the Agri-Food industry.
Applicants who do not hold the requisite Science qualification (but who hold a Level 8 Honours degree or equivalent) have been admitted previously and are advised to submit an application for assessment by the Programme Director to determine eligibility.
Applicants with other awards who hold substantial relevant work experience will be considered.
Applicants whose ï¬rst language is not English must also demonstrate English language proï¬ciency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): A minimum score of 90 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) with no less than 21 in writing and at least 19 in every other section.
Cambridge Examinations: English language examinations administered by the University of Cambridge: 176+ on Cambridge English scale (with no less than 169 in each paper)
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
UCD is the most international and diverse university in Ireland, and is the destination of choice for over 10,400 international students.
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