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.