Food Security

Entry requirements

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in an agricultural, ecological, biological or environmental science, engineering, social science, economics, politics or other relevant subject.

We may also consider a UK 2:2 honours degree, or its international equivalent, with relevant work experience.

This programme is not suitable for applicants pursuing a career in food safety/hygiene or related areas. Your personal statement must demonstrate an understanding of the programme.

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Food security has become a critically important issue for societies around the globe. With rapid growth in the area, there's an increasing demand for qualified experts to help create the policies and legislations that protect and govern food production and the supply chain.

This unique MSc has the scope and multidisciplinary approach to address the multiple issues surrounding food security, as well as offering an understanding of the technical, agronomic, environmental, economic and socio-political factors that influence it.

Theoretical studies are given a practical backdrop through day visits to farms, food banks or food factories around Scotland and a study tour, which allows applying some of the principles to real-world scenarios. This study tour has previously visited places such as Italy, Malaysia, Kenya, and Peru. The purpose of the study tour is to see, in person, how the food system works in different countries and to identify how stakeholders and international institutions engage with the food security challenges explained in the classroom. Typically, it is an intense experience full of excitement, enthusiastic discussions, and personal growth.

The MSc Food Security degree is awarded by the University of Edinburgh.