MSci Food Science and Food Security
Globally we face huge and growing challenges to supply the world’s population with adequate safe and nutritious food. Food scientists will play a crucial role in addressing global food insecurity.
This unique Food Science qualification combines BSc and Master’s level study and allows students to develop their subject to a high level, experiencing cutting-edge technologies involved in food research.
The subject is underpinned by a scientific understanding of food, such as its properties and composition, production and manufacture, testing and regulation, interaction with the human body, and the current and future challenges for its safety and supply.
- Entry requirements
- AAB including Biology and Chemistry + GCSE Mathematics grade C
- English language requirements
- An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component.
- Tuition fees
- £20,800 / ¥189,260
Course Content
The overall vision is to provide a dynamic learning environment committed to excellence in teaching and research, that contributes to national and global efforts, to provide the world’s growing population with a sustainable, safe and secure supply of high-quality food.
In doing so Queen’s seeks to prepare internationally-recognised graduates for leading roles in the production and supply of safe and nutritious food. Students must take the equivalent of three modules in each stage, including any compulsory modules.
The modules are:
Stage 1
- Chemistry and Composition of Foods
- Fundamentals of Nutrition and Food Policy
- The World of Microorganisms
Stage 2
- Food Commodities, Processing and Hygiene
- Food Choice, Diet and Health
- Principles of Food Quality
Work Placement
- Food Science and Food Security students complete a 16-week degree-related work placement
- Food Science and Food Security students complete a 16-week degree-related work placement
Stage 3
- Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Global Issues in Agriculture
- Food Product Development
- Food Supply Chain Safety and Security
- Honours Project
Stage 4
- Agri Food Traceability and Fraud
- Food Safety Health and Disease
- Advanced Food Bioanalysis
- MSci Research Project
Related courses
- Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition
- 3 years (DB6K)
Applications open
Why Queen's
Work Placement
Students taking MSci Food Science and Food Security with Professional Studies undertake a compulsory work-placement of at least 46 weeks between Stages 2 and 3 of their degree. This is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity.
Our past students have also gained work placement with organisations such as Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Kerry Group, Kraft Foods, Moy Park, Tayto, Ulster Cancer Foundation, hospital trusts and many more.
Experience
The degree also offers opportunities for additional laboratory training and experience, for example summer scholarships.
Flexibility
The unique flexible design of these degrees enables transfer to the BSc Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition degrees up until the end of Stage 2.
Convenience
This tailored degree is shorter than studying for BSc and Master’s degrees separately, and students are able to finance their postgraduate-level studies within existing student finance arrangements.
The Institute for Global Food Security
This programme is linked to the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s and students may complete their project work at the Institute. Known globally for their world renowned research, the Institute was at the forefront of uncovering and understanding the horsemeat scandal in the UK.
Careers/further study
Nationally and internationally there is a shortage of food science graduates with higher level research skills and technical expertise. These degrees are designed to produce graduates ideally suited to highlevel careers in research, R&D, industry, education, and also for PhD study.
Although the majority of our graduates are interested in pursuing careers in the food industry or health promotion, some develop careers in a wide range of other sectors. The following is a list of the major career sectors that have attracted our graduates in recent years:
- Food industry – graduate recruitment schemes
- Food industry – new product development
- Food industry – food technologist
- Food industry – quality management
- Charities – health promotion
- Nutrition – assistant dietician in a hospital trust
- Teaching – home economics (PGCE needed)
- Research – industry research association
- Research – PhD studies
Employer Links
We regularly consult and develop links with a large number of employers including all those who provide work placement opportunities. These range from multinationals such as Moy Park and Sainsbury’s to many local companies such as Irwin’s and Tayto.
Queen’s Food Science is ranked 1st in the UK (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025). This unique Food Science qualification combines BSc and Master’s-level study and allows students to develop their subject to a high level, experiencing cutting-edge technologies involved in food research. The degree also offers opportunities for additional laboratory training and experience, for example summer scholarships.
