Food Safety, Inspection and Control BSc (Hons)
Course Code
UCAS Code: D600
International Code: HLSU214
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
Start date
September 2022
January 2023
Course overview
Study level: Undergraduate
This course has been designed for people who have a passion for food safety, inspection, regulation and global food developments and want to make a difference to the quality of the food we eat.
Additional key points:
- Ranked No.6 for Food Science in The Complete University Guide 2021
- This course incorporates the academic content of the Higher Certificate of Food Control, the baseline qualification for food hygiene and standards, official controls and the inspection of food premises within the UK.
- We use simulation to develop the skills you will need in industry, for example preparing and presenting a court prosecution case.
- Our multi-million-pound Alison Gingell Building features a suite of analytical and biological laboratories where you can gain hands-on experience in food safety, inspection and analytical techniques.

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 you should study this course
As we strive to meet increasing global demands, the safety and authenticity of the food we eat and the hygiene of food premises that manufacture, prepare and serve food is of paramount importance.
The Food Safety, Inspection and Control BSc (Hons) encompasses a variety of food issues with both a UK and international focus. Designed to meet the needs of the food industry and regulatory agencies, it covers skills including how to assess food safety risks, advise on food hygiene and safety, inspect food and food premises, and understand and apply legislation relating to food.
There is a big emphasis on practice during this degree and our teaching team aim to impart their own research and professional experience into their teaching, alongside organised visits from practitioners and professionals from industry and various regulatory authorities (subject to availability). There are 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 practically based teaching sessions.
Our multi-million-pound Alison Gingell Building features a suite of analytical and biological laboratories where you can gain hands-on experience in food safety, inspection and analytical techniques.
Seminars by our practitioner staff and visiting lecturers aim to cover the latest issues on a wide range of food safety-based research topics e.g. food safety packaging seminar from food manufacturers and local authority inspectors.
The course also includes the academic content for the CIEH accredited Higher Certificate in Food Control (HCFC). This must be supplemented with a Competency Development Portfolio (which may be completed during an appropriate placement year or after graduation) and professional discussion to meet the requirements of the CIEH - this can be expected to take an additional year.
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)
Eligibility for membership of the CIEH upon successful completion of the Higher Certificate in Food Control academic content, Competency Development Portfolio and professional discussion. Additional costs may apply. Please check with the membership body (CIEH) for details.
Affiliate membership of the CIEH is available for students during their study.
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
Teaching methods include lectures, workshops, tutorials, presentations, group and individual problem-based learning projects, and practical case studies and application. In a typical teaching week, you will have up to 20 ‘contact’ hours of teaching. In addition, you will be expected to undertake a further 20 hours of self-directed study each week e.g. working on coursework assignments.
Each module is supported by online material to help prepare you for your taught sessions and to assist with your personal study.
Where possible, coursework uses applied tasks that mimic the skills needed in jobs to help prepare you to be attractive to future employers, such as collection and interpretation of food safety policies and real-life inspection scenarios. The course also offers you the opportunity for numerous practical industry visits and fieldtrips e.g. visits to food manufacturers.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include coursework, tests, essays, practical or project work, formal examinations, group work, presentations and posters.
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. Assessments may include exams, individual assignments or group work elements.
Job ready
This course aims to help prepare graduates for future careers within the food industry, with regulatory bodies and as food inspectors. It is designed to be practical in nature and gives you opportunities to put the skills you develop into practice in real world settings, for example previous students have undertaken inspections of food and food premises. We also use simulation to develop the skills you will need in industry, for example preparing and presenting a court prosecution case.
You also have the opportunity to gain real-world experience by spending an optional enhancement year in industry in the UK or overseas*.
International experience opportunities
Food safety practice takes place in higher education institutions, regulatory bodies and industry throughout the world. This international perspective is reflected in a number of modules on the course, which deal with issues of global importance, such as epidemiology and food borne illness, food fraud, food inspection and global food security and sustainability.
There may also be an opportunity for you to apply to spend your optional enhancement year in an international setting, should a suitable international partner be identified. In addition, there are also opportunities to attend an international food safety conference.* The course may also provide the opportunities for online collaboration with overseas institutions on a joint problem-based learning assignment.
Entry requirements
Haven't met the entry requirements or don’t have the right qualifications? You may still be able to progress onto a degree you’d love by studying a foundation or access course.
View our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page. You can also explore our International foundation year courses.
Fees and funding
2022/23 Tuition fees
Student | Full time | Part time |
---|---|---|
UK | £9,250 per year | Not available |
International | £16,650 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
This course is designed to meet the needs of the food industry and regulatory agencies by covering skills including how to assess food safety risks, advise on food hygiene and safety, inspect food and food premises, and understand and apply legislation relating to food.
We aim to share knowledge about how technologies will aid the food quality assurance process, and the problems of maintaining a sustainable global food chain. In addition, there will be opportunities for you to develop skills in problem solving, teamwork and effective communication that may be applicable to non-discipline specific graduate career routes.
The course includes the academic content for the CIEH accredited Higher Certificate in Food Control (HCFC). This must be supplemented with a Competency Development Portfolio (which may be completed during an appropriate placement year or after graduation) and professional discussion to meet the requirements of the CIEH.
Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career. The university’s Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.
How to apply
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UK Students
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
Part-time students should apply directly to the university.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
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International Students
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
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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).