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MSc Food Regulatory Affairs

MSc (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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MSc Food Regulatory Affairs (Veterinary Public Health VPH) covers the regulation of the entire food chain from “farm to fork”.

  • This part-time programme provides postgraduate training in Food Regulatory Affairs together with a specialism in Veterinary Public Health (VPH) and is particularly designed for veterinarians employed in the food sector who wish to develop their career in this field.
  • The programme is entirely distance taught and Internet delivered.
  • European and global experts in veterinary and food science, law, economics, and policy contribute to the programme
  • The awards are granted jointly between Ulster University (UK), and University College Dublin.
    Applications are direclty with University of Ulster. Queries on Application and Entry Requirements should be directed to University Ulster

About This Course

  • Acquire, organise, critically analyse, interpret and present information relating to issues in Food Regulatory Affairs- Veterinary Public Health
  • Apply the principles of scientific enquiry to design, plan and undertake a hypothesis driven research project in Veterinary Public Health
  • Demonstrate at professional level an ability to communicate scientific information related to peers, colleagues and others as appropriate
  • Display an advanced knowledge of the application of key food regulatory principles to public health
  • Have a critical awareness of principles relating to scientific integrity and ethical issues in food regulatory affairs - Veterinary Public Health
  • Integrate knowledge of key principles underlying the modern risk based, food chain approach to food regulation
  • Think independently, evaluate and reflect, set tasks and select appropriate and reasoned approaches to solve problems and construct and defend reasoned conclusions
  • Use the principles of scientific inquiry including evidence-based practice, audit and evaluation to research a particular Food Regulatorey- Veterinary Public Health issue that merits a detailed investigation
  • Utilize library, computer and other resources to acquire, apply and disseminate scientific knowledge in reports, presentations, and coursework
  • •Present competent scientific report suitable for submission to a relevant peer-reviewed journal, prepared in a format required for (i) a review article and(11) an original research paper in Veterinary Public Health

There are excellent job prospects for graduates in food and projections for graduates in this discipline are extremely positive. At a time when the importance of the link between food and regulation is becoming increasingly evident, this programme will provide graduates with the skills necessary to function in technical, advisory and management roles in the food industry, public sector and regulatory agencies.

Graduate Roles:

  • Food Regulatory Affairs
  • Food Labelling
  • Product Development and Innovation
  • Research and Development
  • Technical Sales
  • Product Quality Enhancement

Graduates have the distinct advantage of bringing a regulatory perspective to each of these roles.

This programme is accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST).


Dr. Colm Moran | Chief Regulatory Officer at Alltech

The course has provided me with an excellent overview of the field of food regulations (particularly EU) which enabled me to transition from my former research career within my company to a role in the regulatory affairs department. The course materials provided me all the information I needed and to understand the background to food law/regulations in the EU. The initial investment in education has definitely paid off in the long-term.

Gradaute View: Dr Maxine Bonham Monash University, Melbourne

I undertook the MSc Food Regulatory Affairs to gain an understanding of the requirements and regulations surrounding the supply of food to the consumer. The course was well structured and a number of the lecturers are quite prolific in the area of food regulation so I found a lot of the content to be very current and topical. Although I have a strong background in nutrition the legal and political aspects behind food regulation were challenging to deal with and I learnt a great deal. Initially I undertook the course out of interest rather than to further my career, however it has turned out to be an extremely useful qualification as I now teach food regulation at Monash University, Melbourne.

Queries on Programme Fees and Application should be directed to University of Ulster

Queries on Application and Entry Requirements should be directed to University of Ulster

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No


General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MSc Food Regulatory Affairs:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  

Currently, there are no forthcoming intakes for this course that are open for application

* you can change options at the top of the page