Food Control CertHE
Course Code
International Code: HLSH023
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Part-time
Duration
1 year full-time
Start date
September 2022
January 2023
Course overview
Study level: HNC/HND courses
The Food Control CertHE course is designed to meet statutory requirements for food inspectors.
- Designed for those who wish to become Food Safety Inspectors or Auditors by covering the requirements of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health’s (CIEH) Higher Certificate in Food Control (HCFC).
- You will have the opportunity to study food regulation and law, food microbiology, food standards and food inspection, hygiene management systems and current issues affecting the food chain.
- Study in the state-of-the-art Alison Gingell Building which features a suite of analytical and biological laboratories where you can gain hands-on experience.
- Develop transferable skills in accessing, evaluating and reporting scientific information, decision-making, teamwork, entrepreneurship and communication.

Global Ready
An international outlook, with global opportunities
Teaching excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
Employability
Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeedWhy Coventry University?
An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.
for Food Science in
The Complete University Guide 2021
Accreditation and Professional Recognition
This course is accredited and recognised by the following bodies:

Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute for Environmental Health (CIEH) to deliver the academic content of the CIEH Higher Certificate in Food Control, the baseline qualification for food hygiene and standards, official controls and the inspection of food premises within the UK. Eligibility for membership of the CIEH is gained upon successful completion of the Higher Certificate in Food Control academic content, Competency Development Portfolio and professional discussion. As the course is accredited by the CIEH, you will be entitled to apply for Affiliate membership. Additional costs are payable to the CIEH for membership.
What you'll study
.
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
How you'll learn
The course is taught by a mixture of lectures, laboratories, kitchen-based sessions and interactive workshops and discussion groups. Real life scenarios and current and recent case studies involving food quality and safety issues are used extensively.
As part of the assessments within the course, students will have opportunities to undertake practical inspections of food and food premises and to prepare and present a court prosecution case along with other real-life application of key skills and knowledge such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, assessing microbiological food sampling results and applying current food safety legislation. These applied assessments are also supported by traditional written assignments and examinations. Outside of the classroom, you will be further supported by online course materials which you are expected to complete in their own time.
In a typical teaching week, you will have up to 15 ‘contact’ hours of teaching. This generally breaks down as:
- Personal tutorial/small group teaching: 6 hours of workshops each week.
- Medium group teaching: 3 hours of laboratory work each week
- Large group teaching: 6 hours of lectures each week.
In addition, you will be expected to undertake a further 24 hours of self-directed study each week eg. working on coursework assignments.
Assessment
Each module contains between one and three summative assignments which you must pass with an average mark of 40% or greater. In order for you to show your potential you will be assessed in a variety of formats, including traditional timed assessments, scientific report writing, verbal and written presentations, and participation in group activities.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes.
Job ready
The course aims to produce competent people who are ready to further their careers within the food industry, especially with regulatory bodies as food safety inspectors.
There is a big emphasis on practice during this course and you will be taught by an experienced teaching team who impart their own research and professional expertise into their teaching. This is supplemented by practitioners and professionals from industry and various regulatory authorities (please note that staff may be subject to change).
You will have opportunities within the course to undertake practical inspections of food and food premises and to prepare and present a court prosecution case, together with many more practical teaching sessions. The course aims to produce graduates who are ready for careers within the food industry, with regulatory bodies and as food inspectors.
Entry requirements
2022/23 Tuition fees
Student | Full time | Part time |
---|---|---|
UK | £5,460 per year | Not available |
International | £7,500 per year | Not available |
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
Facilities

SuperLab
The Alison Gingell Building contains a state-of-the-art SuperLab. The lab's facilities include equipment for microscopy, DNA testing and more.

Specialist equipment
Specialist industry-standard facilities include analytical equipment such as Gas Chromatography and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography machines. You will also have access to facilities for texture profile analysis of food and drink.

Academic support
No matter which degree you’re studying, you’ll find a lot of support on campus including the Centre of Academic Writing and sigma, which offers mathematics and statistics support.
Careers and opportunities
The course has been designed for those who wish to become Food Safety Inspectors or Auditors by covering the requirements of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health’s (CIEH) Higher Certificate in Food Control (HCFC) qualification (see Accreditation and Recognition section).
Graduates of this course have the opportunity to work in a range of environments related to food control, either in ensuring safety standards or enforcement.
Where our graduates work
Graduates of this course can work in a range of environments related to food control, either in ensuring safety standards or enforcement.
Working as a chef I always interested in food safety, but this course changed my life! All tutors have experience in food control so it was great to hear what it is like when you get a job. All the tutors are very helpful and understanding and the course itself is so well-organised and fun. It was challenging at times, but it felt great to achieve something I never thought I could. It is an amazing course, students very well prepared for what the job is all about.

How to apply
-
UK Students
Students applying to this course should apply directly to the university. Please email our Course Director, Mary-Jane Hawkes.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Email admissions
If our Course Director is not available please contact.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
-
International Students
Students applying to this course should apply directly to the university. Please email our Course Director, Mary-Jane Hawkes.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Email admissions
If our Course Director is not available please contact.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
You may also like

Food Safety, Inspection and Control BSc (Hons)

Nutrition and Health BSc (Hons)
-
Disclaimer
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2021/22 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
Tuition fees
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
Facilities
Facilities mentioned on this page may not be relevant for every course. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Placements and study abroad opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
Additional costs
This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to), equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas).