Expand+Applicants are required to hold an NFQ level 8 honours degree (minimum 2nd Class honours Lower) or equivalent. Ideally, applicants should be currently working in, or have previous experience of, the food and beverage industry, regulatory bodies, gove...

Hide-Applicants are required to hold an NFQ level 8 honours degree (minimum 2nd Class honours Lower) or equivalent. Ideally, applicants should be currently working in, or have previous experience of, the food and beverage industry, regulatory bodies, government departments or trade organisations.

Applicants who do not hold a NFQ Level 8 Honours degree or equivalent may be admitted on the basis of having considerable relevant work experience, and are advised to contact fiona.lalor@ucd.ie to determine eligibility prior to submitting an application.

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English Language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element) or equivalent.
All applications are assessed on a case by case basis.

Expand+ProfDip Food Safety & Regulatory Science
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 30)

Food Safety is an essential Public Health issue without which there is a significant threat to health from foodborne disease. Understanding the legislation, policy...

Hide-ProfDip Food Safety & Regulatory Science
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 30)

Food Safety is an essential Public Health issue without which there is a significant threat to health from foodborne disease. Understanding the legislation, policy and science behind maintaining a safe food system is essential for regulatory bodies, government and the agri-food industry.

This Professional Diploma integrates science, law and food policy from pre-harvest to the consumer and brings experts together from UCD and beyond to helps students to develop knowledge and understanding of food risk and regulation and acquire skills to disseminate and implement knowledge in practice.

This programme is delivered entirely online.

Course Description
The Professional Diploma in Food Safety and Regulatory Science is delivered through the UCD online Platform (Brightspace) and will consist of online lectures, videos, interactive learning, discussion boards and virtual classroom environments.

For each 10 credits module students are expected to undertake about 250 hours of work including online learning and independent learning activities. A repository of resources will be available to support your learning and as a UCD student you will have full access to the library. Tutorials are delivered during each module and there will also be interviews with guest speakers from the world of food safety and regulatory science.

Each module includes an assignment which will give you the opportunity to showcase your learning, development and appreciation of the issues involved.

Who should apply?
Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Expand+Programme Outcomes

Describe Global Food Regulatory Systems and how this shapes policy

Understand the regulatory context and requirements of Food and
Nutrition Labelling and health claims

Demonstrate knowledge of the role of key stakeholder...

Hide-Programme Outcomes

Describe Global Food Regulatory Systems and how this shapes policy

Understand the regulatory context and requirements of Food and
Nutrition Labelling and health claims

Demonstrate knowledge of the role of key stakeholders in the Food Regulatory environment.

Describe key food safety issues and management strategies across the food chain.

Demonstrate knowledge of potential hazards and strategies to minimise them.

Understand the role of food industry standards in the management of food safety.

Understand the components of risk analysis: Risk Assessment, Risk Management and Risk Communication in the context of the food supply.

Describe the tools used to validate risk assessment strategies

Appreciate the value of a risk analysis approach to guiding global food safety policy.