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Why choose the School of Life Sciences


Benefit from a course that works in collaboration with the University’s School of Society, Community and Health, drawing on expertise across two faculties.

Our Life Sciences Liaison Board features representatives from organisations such as Glaxo Smith Kline, the NHS and the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Opportunities for industry links through external visits to relevant sites such as Rothamsted Research and LEAF Demonstration Farm.

About the course

On this multidisciplinary course, you explore and evaluate current research; the issues within food security in public health and how to overcome them; the effectiveness of public health information; food systems management; and the legal and ethical considerations including those relating to food standards. The course links theory to practical application with case studies from both developed and developing economies so you develop the skills necessary to respond in innovative ways to current and future challenges.

Facilities and specialist equipment

  • Modern STEM building with specialist laboratories, lecture theatres and bespoke study spaces
  • The latest technology and industry-standard equipment to emulate the professional workplace
  • Seven-storey library featuring an extensive collection of physical and digital resources

Industry links

Establish links and gain valuable work experience through our Life Sciences Liaison Board, which draws in industry-wide professionals such as Life Science Group, the NHS and GrowPura. The Board’s close partnerships with real-world experts means our forward-thinking course is aligned with the needs of both industry and wider society.

Student experience

The course is delivered collaboratively by the University’s School of Life Sciences and School of Society, Community and Health, drawing on the faculties’ collective knowledge and expertise to address the subject’s multidisciplinary nature.Ìý

Study under a team of international experts at a University with 30-plus years of experience teaching biological sciences.Ìý

Our highly qualified academics lead the way in research areas such as COVID-19 testing technology; obesity; cancer pathways; medicines development; and global food security.ÌýÌý

Our faculty’s active involvement in cutting-edge research and consultancy feeds directly into course delivery, ensuring you’re up-to-date with the latest advances in the field.Ìý

Take part in subject-relevant field visits to sites such as Rothamsted Research, LEAF Demonstration Farm and the Centre for Alternative Technology.ÌýÌý

Gain specialist knowledge from external speakers in interactive seminars, workshops and masterclasses.Ìý

Benefit from our student-centred teaching approach to help you get the most from your degree, combining lectures and practical sessions with case studies and e-learning.Ìý

Develop employability-based skills including in assessment and evaluation; effective communication; application of knowledge; and informed decision making.Ìý

Explore a current-day issue with your choice of MSc food security research project.Ìý

Fulfil your potential with guidance from your own personal academic tutor.Ìý

What will you study?


Studying our Food Security in Public Health MSc course will equip you with the knowledge and skills in the combined areas of food systems management and public health policy. In the core areas of study, you will learn to ensure that food industry products are of a high quality, are safe for consumption and conform to fairtrade practices by assessing the management of quality processes in our Food Quality Assurance unit. You will study various aspects of the food supply chain from production to the final consumer while taking into account the tools and methods used for food quality design, control, improvement and assurance. This is closely linked to our unit in Food Safety where you will develop a critical understanding of the topic and its implications in public health.

This includes exploring various biological and chemical agents that are potentially present in human foods and animal feed while examining the potential risks to human health. More importantly, you will have the opportunity to design and implement a traceability system that is compliant with customer and legal requirements. Similarly, you will explore the complex management of food systems from the farms where it is grown, harvested, processed and packaged, to how it is transported and marketed, and finally consumed and disposed in the form of food and food packaging in our Food Systems Management unit. You will also analyse the best practice of delivering nutritious products that meet dietary requirements and consumer trends.

Moreover, you will consider ethical issues in the food industry that have implications in environment and food law while ensuring this practice is applied to food management standards. One pertinent issue faced on a global scale is Food and Nutrition Insecurity. This unit, therefore, will prompt you to investigate the food and nutrient supply chain to identify the challenges faced in the field while integrating this with principles and policies in public health. Furthermore, this unit will allow you to develop your knowledge of sustainable agriculture and its implications in the field of public health. Aside from this, you will be exposed to key Principles, Policies and Issues in Public Health and explore how this shapes the way that public health issues are addressed within the UK and internationally.

Furthermore, you will be introduced to key concepts of Epidemiology in Public Health to equip you with the knowledge and skills to describe, analyse and interpret epidemiological studies. Finally, you will complete a Food Security Research Project where you will undertake a significant piece of research that is either laboratory, management or field based and focus it on a relevant area in the food industry or government policy. This will be a great opportunity for you to showcase your work professionally while developing specialised knowledge skills you can take with you as you progress into your career.

How will you be assessed?


Assessment is integral in all units to check that you have met the threshold standards expected of all graduates. They are also linked to learning designed to develop key subject specific and transferable skills for future employment. The requirements of each assessment will be detailed in a formal assessment brief document and discussed in teaching sessions. Units that include an end of unit examination shall include a formative exam experience to prepare students. The assessment tasks will include:

  • Poster presentations
  • End of unit examination (unseen written examinations)
  • Problem-based learning based on case studies
  • Laboratory report
  • Poster presentation
  • Reflective writing and portfolio submissions
  • Open book examination Dissertation report writing

Careers


Studying this course will create career opportunities for you in government agencies industry and other organisations related to the broad area of food systems management public health and environmental sustainability.

Recent graduates have gone into a diverse range of sectors including healthcare; pharmaceutical; food; research; and science and education. Others have secured funding to pursue PhDs and/or places to study medicine.

Entry Requirements

2.2 honours degree or equivalent in a related subject area

Entry Requirements

2.2 honours degree or equivalent in a related subject area

Fees for this course

UK

The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk

International 2024/25

The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900

If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk

Fees for this course

UK

The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk

International 2024/25

The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900

If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk

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