Master of Science in Food Hygiene & Safety
The Master of Science in Food Hygiene & Safety is a master's programme offered at Kenyan universities. This postgraduate degree prepares professionals for advanced practice and research careers in social sciences.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 448,500 a year at a public institution, Ksh 448,500 to Ksh 897,000 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of Second Upper Division (2.1) or equivalent or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 1-2 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Dental Ceramist, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
What you study
10 subjects- Research Methods
- Statistical Analysis
- Laboratory Techniques
- Experimental Design
- Data Analysis
- Scientific Communication
- Literature Review
- Thesis Research
- Computational Methods
- Field Methods
Modules
10 in the programmeFood Microbiology and Foodborne Pathogens
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Food microbiology, foodborne pathogens (E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter, Vibrio cholerae), food spoilage, fermentation, microbial growth, food preservation, Kenya's foodborne diseases, and applying food microbiology
Food Hygiene and Sanitation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Food hygiene, personal hygiene, food premises hygiene, sanitation, cleaning and disinfection, pest control, waste management, food handler certification, MoH, street food, and applying food hygiene and sanitation
HACCP and Food Safety Management Systems
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
HACCP, hazard analysis, critical control points, CCP monitoring, corrective actions, ISO 22000, food safety management systems, prerequisite programmes, KEBS, and applying HACCP and ISO 22000
Food Safety Law and Regulation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Food safety law, Food Drugs and Chemical Substances Act, Public Health Act, KEBS Act, KDB regulations, Codex Alimentarius, SPS measures, WTO, food labelling, food additives, and applying food safety law
Food Safety Testing and Laboratory Analysis
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Food safety testing, microbiological analysis, chemical analysis (pesticide residues, heavy metals), aflatoxin testing, rapid test kits, KEBS labs, SGS, Bureau Veritas, sampling, and applying food safety testing
Aflatoxin and Chemical Contaminants in Food
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Aflatoxin, Aspergillus flavus, maize, groundnuts, Kenya's aflatoxin crisis, pesticide residues, heavy metals (lead, cadmium), food additives, food packaging contaminants, and applying contaminant analysis
Food Safety Inspection, Auditing and Risk Assessment
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Food safety inspection, public health officers, food safety auditing, audit checklists, risk assessment, exposure assessment, risk characterisation, food establishments, and applying inspection and risk assessment
Food Safety in Dairy, Meat, Fish and Horticulture
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Dairy safety, KDB, milk pasteurisation, meat safety, abattoir inspection, fish safety, EU export standards, horticulture safety, pesticide residues, GAP, KEPHIS, HCDA, and applying sector-specific food safety
Food Safety Policy and Research Methods
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Food safety policy, National Food Safety Strategy, food safety coordination, informal sector, food safety surveillance, MoH, research methods, statistics, scientific writing, and preparing for the thesis
Thesis
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Original research on a food hygiene and safety topic such as prevalence of Salmonella in street foods in Nairobi's Central Business District, effectiveness of HACCP implementation in Kenyan dairy processing plants, aflatoxin contamination levels in maize flour from different millers in Kenya, or microbial quality of raw milk in informal markets in Kenya's urban centres
Specialisations
Food Safety Risk Assessment and Policy
Focus on food safety risk assessment, exposure assessment, risk characterisation, food safety policy, National Food Safety Strategy, Codex Alimentarius, and developing food safety policy
Food Safety Regulation and Inspection
Focus on food safety law, regulation, inspection, public health enforcement, KEBS, MoH, food establishments, and developing regulatory compliance programmes
Food Microbiology and Laboratory Analysis
Focus on food microbiology, foodborne pathogens, microbiological testing, laboratory analysis, KEBS labs, SGS, rapid test kits, and developing food testing programmes
HACCP and Food Safety Management Systems
Specialisation in HACCP, ISO 22000, food safety management systems, prerequisite programmes, CCP monitoring, and developing food safety management programmes
Aflatoxin and Chemical Contaminants
Specialisation in aflatoxin, mycotoxins, pesticide residues, heavy metals, food additives, Kenya's aflatoxin crisis, and developing contaminant management programmes
A day as a student
A typical day involves conducting laboratory experiments, analysing data using specialised software, attending research seminars, reviewing scientific literature, and meeting with supervisors to discuss experimental results and thesis progress.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| High demand from food industry and regulatory bodies — Kenya's growing food industry, KEBS certification requirements, EU export standards, and public health concerns create strong demand for food safety expertise | Regulatory complexity and fragmented enforcement — Kenya's food safety regulation involves multiple agencies (KEBS, MoH, KDB, KEPHIS, HCDA) with overlapping mandates, creating regulatory complexity |
| Diverse career paths across sectors — food companies, hotels, testing laboratories (SGS, Bureau Veritas), KEBS, MoH, county governments, consulting firms, and universities provide varied career options | Limited laboratory infrastructure in some areas — food safety testing requires well-equipped laboratories that are concentrated in Nairobi and major towns, limiting testing capacity in rural areas |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 241 social sciences coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
UoN MSc Food Safety 897K/2yr~448K/yr. Maseno ~134K/yr (old). Private: unverified. Src: uonbi.ac.ke
NACOSTI, NRF, and DAAD offer research grants. ICIPE and KEMRI provide research affiliation. HELB offers postgraduate loans.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited postgraduate programmes
National Research Fund
Grant
Postgraduate researchers in Kenyan institutions
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
Postgraduate researchers in STEM fields
Scholarships
5 recordedNational Research Fund Grant
GrantKsh 300,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Research; Academic merit; Research proposal
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
FullKsh 8,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Financial need; Leadership
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing postgraduate studies.
DAAD Food Science Scholarship
FullKsh 4,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Food science programme
FAO Food Safety Fellowship
FellowshipKsh 1,500,000
African; Food safety research; Academic merit; Research proposal
Scholarships you could apply for
2 usable where it is taught- Chevening Scholarships Kenya
Closes 30 November 2026FullUK Government
Full masters in UK
- AfDB Japan Scholarship Program
Closes 28 February 2027FullAfrican Development Bank
Full graduate study abroad
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Bachelor's in related field with experience in food safety, quality assurance, or public health. Professional certifications (HACCP, food handler) can support application.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Mount Kenya University.
Including Mount Kenya University.
Including Mount Kenya University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsThesis
Research30% of the mark
Original research on a food hygiene and safety topic examined by oral defence
End of Semester Examinations
Exam25% of the mark
Formal written examinations covering food microbiology, food hygiene, HACCP, food safety law, food testing, contaminants, inspection/auditing, sector-specific safety, and food safety policy
Laboratory and Audit Projects
Project30% of the mark
Microbiological analysis project, HACCP plan design, food safety audit, aflatoxin testing, risk assessment, and seminar presentation
Industry Attachment and Seminars
Cat15% of the mark
KEBS/MoH/food company attachment assessment, inspection report, laboratory practicals, research seminar presentations, and HACCP exercise
Accreditation
Kenya Bureau of Standards
Professional
Food safety standards and product certification (S-mark) in Kenya.
Commission for University Education
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for university programmes in Kenya.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Scientific research programmes are regulated under NACOSTI guidelines.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesPublic Health Officer
Medium demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 380,000
Enforces food safety regulations, conducts inspections, investigates foodborne disease outbreaks, and works at county governments or MoH in Kenya
Food Safety Manager
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages food safety programmes, implements HACCP and ISO 22000, ensures regulatory compliance, and works at food companies (Nestlé, Bidco, Unilever) or hotels in Kenya
Quality Assurance Manager
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages QA systems, conducts quality testing, ensures product standards, supports KEBS compliance, and works at food companies or manufacturing firms in Kenya
University Lecturer
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches food safety and food science, conducts research, supervises students, and works at universities in Kenya
Food Inspector
Medium demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Conducts food safety inspections, enforces regulations, supports KEBS and MoH, and works at KEBS, county governments, or MoH in Kenya
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as research scientists, laboratory managers, data analysts, quality assurance officers, and science educators in Kenya's scientific and industrial sectors.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Dental CeramistHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Occupational Therapist AssistantHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- PsychologyHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Dental ProsthetistHealth Sciences4Low exposure
- Dental Laboratory TechnicianHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- General DentistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Pastry ChefHospitality & Tourism5Low exposure
- Veterinary PathologistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
Common misconceptions
A Masters in pure science leads only to teaching.
Science graduates work at KEMRI, ICIPE, KALRO, KEBS, pharmaceutical companies, and data analytics firms.
Pure science is less marketable than applied science.
Analytical and research skills from pure science are valued in data science, finance, and technology industries.
Science Masters require expensive lab equipment.
Many projects involve computational modelling, theoretical work, or field-based research.
All science Masters take two years.
Full-time programmes typically take 1.5-2 years, while part-time can take up to 3 years.