Faculty of Science
CODE
15057
SUBCODE
15057-MFT
ENTRY

Sept 2025 Entry

STUDY MODE
Mixed Mode
DURATION

1 year

CREDIT REQUIRED

31

FUND TYPE
Self-Financed
  • Only the full-time option will be offered for admission in 2025/26.

  • One-off entry scholarships will be awarded to applicants with excellent academic achievement.

  • Early applications are strongly encouraged.

Application Deadline
Local - Mixed Mode
Sept 2025 Entry - Early Round Application Deadline: 2024-11-21; Main Round Application Deadline: 2025-04-30
Non-local - Mixed Mode
Sept 2025 Entry - Early Round Application Deadline: 2024-11-21; Main Round Application Deadline: 2025-04-30
About Programme
How to Apply
Aims & Characteristics
  • To provide unique and professional training in global food safety management and risk analysis to science/technology graduates who wish to develop their expertise in food safety.

  • To provide students with advanced knowledge of the major and emerging hazards affecting food safety from a global perspective.

 

Upon completion of this programme, students should be able to

  • Understand international food standards, laws and regulations and critically evaluate food safety policies as well as legal and sectoral frameworks for food safety management at local, national and international levels.

  • Use their knowledge of risk analysis to critically evaluate the risk posed by major food hazards and address food safety issues worldwide.

  • Demonstrate competence in developing risk-based food safety management strategies and implementing food safety management systems (e.g., ISO22000).

  • Demonstrate competence in critical analysis, information technology and communication.

  • Work effectively as individuals and in multidisciplinary groups with a commitment to lifelong learning to enhance their professional development.

Recognition & Prospects

Professional Recognition

Upon graduation, students will receive PolyU’s official Award Parchment and will be qualified to obtain the following certificates:

  1. An official training certificate in risk analysis issued by the Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, established by the US Food and Drug Administration and the University of Maryland.

  2. Official certificates in major food safety management systems issued by an accredited certification body.

 

Prospects

Graduates have excellent employment prospects, particularly in the food, health and agriculture industries and related government agencies and research institutes in Hong Kong, mainland China and the region.

Curriculum

Students enrolled on the MSc in Global Food Safety Management and Risk Analysis must complete the following courses:

  • Academic Integrity and Ethics in Science

  • Food Safety in Action

  • Food Safety Risk Analysis

  • Foodborne Chemical and Microbial Hazards: Case Studies

  • Global Food Safety Management

  • Global Food Security

  • International Food Standards, Laws and Regulations

  • Capstone Project

Credit Required for Graduation

31

Programme Leader(s)

Dr Zhu Yuyan
BSc, PhD

Subject Area
Global Food Safety Management and Risk Analysis
Entrance Requirements
  • A Bachelor’s degree with Honours in food safety, food science, food technology, food management, public health or another relevant science discipline; OR

  • A Bachelor's degree in another discipline and with at least 1 year of work experience in food safety, food quality, or food product development

If you are not a native speaker of English, and your Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification is awarded by institutions where the medium of instruction is not English, you are expected to fulfil the University’s minimum English language requirement for admission purpose. Please refer to the "Admission Requirements" section for details.

Enquiries

For further programme information, please contact us via email: msc.foodsafety@polyu.edu.hk

Other Information

Class Arrangement

  • Classes are normally scheduled in the evenings on weekdays and on Saturdays during the fall and spring semesters.

 

Continuing Education Fund (CEF)

  • "FSN5012 Global Food Safety Management" (6 credits) offered in this programme has been included in the list of subjects reimbursable under the CEF [For course commencement after October 2022].

Initial Registration Credits

6 for local students
12 for non-local students

Programme Leaflet

Please click here to download.

Tuition Fee

HK$6,340 per credit for local and non-local students. Tuition fees will not be charged for the 1-credit subject "Academic Integrity and Ethics in Science".

 

One-off entry scholarships will be awarded to students with excellent academic achievement.

Student Message

After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Food and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Hong Kong, followed by six years as a health researcher, I decided to enrich my knowledge in a related area, food science and safety. Although this is a full-time programme, the class and assessment schedules are flexible enough for students who work full-time. PolyU emphasises the real-world application of knowledge, which is developed through lectures, exercises and assessments. These learning activities allow students to grow and motivate them to apply theory in practice. The lecturers include not only academics but also experienced industry practitioners. I really enjoyed the lectures and experience sharing sessions! This programme gave me new perspectives on and exposure to food safety from a global perspective. I also enjoyed networking with students from different parts of the world and different industries. Please say hello if you see me at PolyU, because I now work there. I hope you will join this programme and enjoy your studies here as much as I did.

CHEUNG Ka Ching

Time flies. It is time to say goodbye to my witty classmates and helpful teachers. I am so proud to be part of the first cohorts of graduates of the MSc in Global Food Safety Management and Risk Analysis at PolyU. As a student from mainland China, I did not find it easy to keep up with the tight schedule of the programme. It was an unforgettable study experience and I hope others will benefit from it. Although the programme was first offered in 2019/20, all of the professors and lecturers were well prepared and experienced, and all of the courses were designed systematically according to international standards. This programme opened my mind and gave me a global vision of the food industry. It made me more confident about pursuing my career in the future. I hope you all have great success in your studies in this programme.

HUANG Shuting

Enrolling in this programme was one of the best decisions of my life. Although the programme is full-time, it is perfectly suited to students with full-time jobs. I had a fruitful year of working and studying full-time. My lovely classmates and supportive teachers helped me to learn as effectively as possible by participating in interactive activities and discussions, despite the sudden transition to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme provides a comprehensive overview of the many challenges we currently face regarding food safety, security and sustainability from a global perspective. In addition to developing professional knowledge, successful completion of the course allows students to gain recognition by obtaining official certificates from accredited bodies. This will help advance my career in the future. I hope to inspire more people to take this course. I wish you every success in your studies.

CHAU Cheuk Ning Sharon

After working in the food industry for seven years, I was looking for an opportunity to continue my education, with a focus on food safety management. Food safety is a global issue because of the globalisation of supply chains and international trade. In addition to local food safety requirements, we need to understand food safety requirements in different regions. This programme provided me with various opportunities to acquire the latest knowledge on this topic.

 

Various renowned guest speakers from major organisations including JIFSAN, FSANZ and SGS shared their insights and professional opinions through different case studies to enlighten us. Our professors and lecturers at PolyU were friendly and willing to share their knowledge on food safety issues from different perspectives. They also gave us practical and tailored feedback on our work to help us achieve the study objectives.

 

I highly recommend this programme to those who want to enrich their career prospects in the food industry. This programme will provide a valuable and unforgettable study experience.

KWOK Hin Shun Jacob

After graduating from a food science degree programme, I wanted to expand my knowledge of food safety and risk management and find a position in this area. This is why I chose the MSc in Global Food Safety Management and Risk Analysis at PolyU to continue my studies. I am glad I chose this wonderful programme because I learnt a lot. The course content was useful and the lectures were interesting. The professors and lecturers were highly experienced and encouraged me to learn more. The workload was appropriate and the study materials were easy to follow. Receiving certificates such as JIFSAN and ISO 22000 further enhances the programme because they are so useful for our future careers. I strongly recommend this programme to those looking for a systematic learning experience in food safety and risk management.

SONG Anning

After completing my undergraduate studies in food and nutritional science, I took the opportunity to study for this Master’s degree to further broaden my horizons. As I do not have full-time work experience in the food safety sector, I was a little worried about following the materials covered in class. However, everything went well thanks to the professional teaching skills of the lecturers, as well as the interactive in-class activities such as discussions and workshops. In addition to the invaluable knowledge and experience gained during the courses, graduates of this programme obtain multiple certificates issued by renowned organisations. With all these advantages, I am now more confident and better equipped for my future career. I highly recommend this taught postgraduate programme to anyone interested, whether recent graduates or experienced individuals.

Wong Chun Pak Vincent

After retiring, I embarked on a journey of intellectual discovery and personal growth. Obtaining a Master’s degree was definitely an enriching experience and going back to school gave me the chance to delve deeper into a subject that I am passionate about. Learning alongside classmates from different backgrounds, ages and cultures created a collaborative environment that fostered insightful discussions and diverse perspectives. Although I worked in the field of food safety and environmental hygiene for a long time before retiring, the diverse experiences and unique perspectives of the lecturers and classmates challenged me to approach the global food security and safety problems from new angles and to consider perspectives outside my usual frame of reference.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to all my respected teachers who guided me throughout this transformative and exciting journey. To my dear alumni, I encourage individuals of all ages and backgrounds to embrace the pursuit of knowledge and embark on a lifelong learning journey. Age is not a barrier to learning and the rewards of intellectual exploration are limitless.

Poon Lai Yee Rene
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Academic Referee's Report

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Curriculum Vitae

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Employer's Recommendation

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Personal Statement

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Transcript / Certificate

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Others

If you are not a native speaker of English, and your Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification is awarded by institutions where the medium of instruction is not English, you are expected to fulfil the University’s minimum English language requirement for admission purpose. Please refer to the "Admission Requirements" section for details. The TOEFL scores and IELTS results older than two years are normally NOT accepted.

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