Diploma in Mycotoxins, Food Safety and Public Health
Covers the full mycotoxin chain, from toxigenic fungi in crops to sampling, analysis, risk assessment and regulatory management.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Diploma in Mycotoxins, Food Safety and Public Health
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Diploma
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Medical, Veterinary & One Health Mycology. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 6 months (24 weeks) · 192 hours in total · 8 modules of 24 hours · 24 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 25 June 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 12 April 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
The Diploma in Mycotoxins, Food Safety and Public Health covers the complete mycotoxin chain, from toxigenic fungi growing in crops to the controls that protect consumers. Students study the fungi that produce toxins in the food chain and the major mycotoxins and their effects, then focus on prevention before harvest and during storage. Practical modules cover sampling plans and analytical methods, followed by exposure and risk assessment. The programme closes with regulatory frameworks and the design of mycotoxin management programmes for businesses.
Mycotoxin contamination is a persistent food safety issue affecting trade, animal health and public health, and climate change is altering where and when it occurs. This diploma suits food safety, quality assurance and regulatory professionals who need a thorough and applied understanding. The tutor is selected for experience in food safety, analysis or regulation. For the final project, students design a mycotoxin management programme for a real or case-study business, integrating hazard analysis, sampling, testing, limits and corrective actions.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in one health, useful in areas such as food and feed manufacturing, food testing laboratories, food safety authorities, agricultural commodity trade.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
Covers the full mycotoxin chain, from toxigenic fungi in crops to sampling, analysis, risk assessment and regulatory management.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Toxigenic fungi in the food chain; Major mycotoxins and their effects; Pre-harvest and storage control.
- Put them into practice: Sampling plans; Analytical methods; Exposure and risk assessment.
- Apply everything to a real case: Regulatory frameworks; Mycotoxin management programmes.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Explain how toxigenic fungi contaminate crops before and after harvest.
- Describe the toxicology and occurrence of the major mycotoxins.
- Design representative sampling plans for mycotoxin testing.
- Compare analytical methods and interpret results against legal limits.
- Build a mycotoxin management programme within a food safety system.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Food safety, quality assurance and regulatory professionals.
4.2Entry requirements
Some background in food science, agriculture or public health is expected; prior knowledge of mycotoxins is helpful but not required.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Food safety and quality manager
- Laboratory analyst in mycotoxin testing
- Regulatory affairs specialist for food and feed
- Food safety inspector or official control officer
- Supplier quality auditor for cereals and nuts
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Toxigenic fungi in the food chain | Foundations | 3 | 24 |
| 02 | Major mycotoxins and their effects | Foundations | 3 | 24 |
| 03 | Pre-harvest and storage control | Foundations | 3 | 24 |
| 04 | Sampling plans | Practice | 3 | 24 |
| 05 | Analytical methods | Practice | 3 | 24 |
| 06 | Exposure and risk assessment | Practice | 3 | 24 |
| 07 | Regulatory frameworks | Application & project | 3 | 24 |
| 08 | Mycotoxin management programmes | Application & project | 3 | 24 |
| Total | 192 |
8 modules × 24 hours = 192 hours: 48 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium
- Field and storage contamination
- Climate influences
- Toxicology of major mycotoxins
- Co-occurrence and modified forms
- Emerging mycotoxins
- Good agricultural practice
- Drying and storage conditions
- Pest and moisture control
- Heterogeneous distribution
- Designing sampling plans
- Sample preparation
- Rapid screening methods
- Chromatography and mass spectrometry
- Method validation and proficiency testing
- Dietary exposure estimation
- Hazard characterisation
- Risk characterisation and uncertainty
- International standards
- Regional maximum levels
- Official controls and border checks
- HACCP and mycotoxins
- Supplier assurance
- Corrective actions and recalls
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A mycotoxin management programme for a real or case-study food or feed business.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 8 hours a week for 24 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, applied exercises in each module and a final project reviewed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the One Health school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Diploma Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Diploma Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
- A short CV or a description of your experience in the field.
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £1,120
- Full payment before the start: £896 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£448) and 6 monthly instalments of £112.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Diploma in Mycotoxins, Food Safety and Public Health?
Some background in food science, agriculture or public health is expected; prior knowledge of mycotoxins is helpful but not required.
How is Diploma in Mycotoxins, Food Safety and Public Health taught?
Live online, in 8 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, applied exercises in each module and a final project reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A mycotoxin management programme for a real or case-study food or feed business.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Diploma Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Diploma in Mycotoxins, Food Safety and Public Health?
The natural next step is Master in Medical and Veterinary Mycology.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Keep branching.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).