Postgraduate Certificate in Food Regulatory Affairs (Online)

Course Summary

ATU Sligo has a long-standing reputation both in food science, providing progression pathways and upskilling opportunities for those working in the Food and Drink industry. We continually build on our current suite of programmes in this area, allowing us to be agile and responsive to the Food and Drink industries’ needs and demands while also being compliant with new policy and regulations in the area of Food and Drink Regulatory Affairs. 

Our part-time online Level 9 Certificate in Food and Drink Regulatory Affairs has been developed in collaboration with Industry and acts as a progression route to the Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Food and Drink Regulatory Affairs. 

Modules Include: 

• Framework to Food Regulations (10 Credits) 

• Food processing regulations (5 Credits) 

• Claims and labelling (5 Credits) 

• Supply chain integrity (5 Credits) 

• Professional Development in Food Regulatory Affairs (5 Credits) 

Course Objectives: 

At the end of the Programme graduates should: 

• Have a thorough understanding of the theory and best practice relating to Food and Drink sector regulatory structures and procedures. 

• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of current Food and Drink sector regulations and the role of the regulatory affairs professional in the industry. 

• Have a comprehensive understanding of the key functions involved in the commercialisation of a novel product including: supply, sales and marketing legislation. 

• Employ appropriate advanced data analysing, synthesising, summarising and research skills to evaluate critical aspects of regulatory affairs within the Food and Drink sector. 

• Interpret, synthesise and integrate core aspects of a food or drink product lifecycle, associated compliance issues and important processing parameters with a view to problem solving and making regulatory decisions in a timely and competent manner. 

• Formulate, present and defend scientific information/regulatory findings in a variety of forms to regulatory agencies, state bodies, internal personnel and the public. 

• Appreciate the complex and fluid relationships of food and drinks industry processes, prescribed regulatory framework and selected support activities. 

• Apply concepts and skills learnt in a variety of contexts. 

• Work effectively in the Food and Drink sector environment by acting autonomously and thinking independently to meet regulations and participating constructively in a complex team environment within a technical field to ensure the team is operating within the appropriate regulations. 

For more information, or to book your place, please contact Mark Skinner on (01) 6051615 or mark.skinner@ibec.ie 

Key Course Information

Course Attendance: 

The programme uses a blend of learning channels to support learning, pre-dominantly live online lectures, supported by face-to-face seminars and self-directed learning. Adobe Connect will be used for lectures, whilst Moodle will be used as the student portal for accessing material, uploading projects and collaborating with staff and other students.  

Lectures will be delivered online. Live lectures normally take place between 6pm and 10pm, Monday to Thursday but this may vary depending on the availability of specific lecturers. If the Live Classroom scheduled times for the live online lectures do not suit you, recordings will be made available through Moodle allowing you to watch back at a time that suits you.  

Whether you are studying part-time online, blended, or full-time online, it is very important that you allocate enough study time to your online course to stay focused, reduce stress and achieve your goals. In terms of time commitment, students would need to allow 7 hours per week, consisting of 2 hours evening lectures and 5 hours independent learning and project work. Workshops are used to bring learners together and facilitate group learning. 

Assessments: 

With a heavy emphasis on practical application, participants are assessed via Continuous Assessment (CA) forms 100% of the marks for each module – no exams. CA will include the following: Scenario Based-Written Assignment, MCQs, Short Assessments, Quizzes, Presentations, Reflective learning journals, Team based assignments, Group project, Case study analysis, individual portfolio of learning. 

Application Closing Date : 16th August 2024

Entry Requirements

Who should apply? 

Employees in the Food and Drink sector, working in technical areas such as quality, food safety, regulatory affairs or R&D, need to be able to interpret regulations and understand their implications for their business. Trainees may have a variety of backgrounds, including food science, food engineering, home economics, and microbiology, however, many have not had any formal training in food regulatory affairs. 

This course is open to those with a Level 8 Degree or Level 8 or Level 9 in other areas with sufficient work experience as assessed by Atlantic Technological University. Applicants with other qualifications and with relevant work experience may also be considered through ATU Sligo’s Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) process.  

RPL is a process that may allow you to gain admission to a programme or to receive exemptions / credit from some parts of a programme based on demonstrated learning that you may have achieved through another programme of study or through your work and career. Further information is available through www.atu.ie/recognition-of-prior-learning which our dedicated RPL portal or by contacting our admissions team at admissions.sligo@atu.ie 

Programme Fees

Academic Year 2024/25 Fees

Total Programme Fee: €2,250

Graduates of the Level 9 Certificate in Food and Drink Regulatory Affairs have the option to claim their Certificate or alternatively progress to Postgraduate Diploma/Masters of Science in Food and Drink Regulatory Affairs. 

For more information, or to book your place, please contact Mark Skinner on (01) 6051615 or mark.skinner@ibec.ie 

Course Format

Semester 1

Semester 2