Course Overview
This qualification provides the academic learning required to gain the Higher Diploma in Food Control awarded by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH). Any Food Safety Officer or Environmental Technician who wishes to develop their career in Food Control Inspection, must, according to the current Food Standard Agency Code of Practice, be in possession of a Food Control qualification accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH). This course is designed to prepare you for carrying out food standards sampling and inspections.
Entry Requirements
You will be eligible for this course on successful completion of the four taught modules of the Level 5 Higher Certificate Food Premises Inspection.
Applicants for this course should be employed and supported by a Local Authority Environmental Health Department. In exceptional circumstances, applicants not in such employment but with significant experience in catering or food manufacture, holding the Level 5 Higher Certificate Food Premises Inspection qualification will also be considered. Such applicants should read carefully the additional information section of this course sheet.
All final decisions and exceptions regarding entrance qualification will be made by the Head of Department and the course lead.
Overseas students need a minimum IELTs score of 6.5 to show competence in all four assessed areas.
What the course covers
You will study two taught modules at Nescot in fulfilment of the theoretical component of the CIEH Advanced Professional Certificate in Food Hygiene and Standards Control (APC) and the Higher Certificate in Food Control.
Once these modules have been successfully completed, you will need to complete the CIEH *(CDP) Competency Development Portfolio of relevant field practice. You will then be required to pass a professional discussion with examiners from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH). This normally takes six months to one further year. On completion you will be awarded your professional food control certificate or the APC by the CIEH.
Download further details of the course here – Programme Specification.
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health website – Technical qualifications
Fees and funding
Fees for Academic Year 2026/27
£1,500 (Exam fee included)
Concession: NO
Government Subsidised: NO
Student Loan Available: NO
Please note: Fees are for 2026/27 entry and apply to students eligible for home fee status. For more information about financial support for students, please click here.
Progression
Students successfully completing the full qualification will become a CIEH Registered Food Safety Practitioner with both the food hygiene and food standards official controls, allowing them to carry out Food Premises and Control Inspections.
Students wishing to advance their career further may be able to use either the full qualification or the academic part of the qualification for credit exemption or advanced entry to degree courses which lead to Environmental Health Officer status.
Duration
15 weeks (7 hours per week)