Food Security

Entry requirements

Preferably a UK 2:1 honours degree, or equivalent, in a range agricultural, or environmental sciences, engineering or social sciences, or other relevant subject. Evidence of English competence.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Food security has become a critically important issue for societies around the globe. It concerns not only food production systems and supply chains but also development issues such as land tenure, patterns of inequality, and the exchange value of commodities.

The programme aims to provide a broad understanding of the agronomic, environmental, economic and socio-political factors which affect, and are affected, by food security.

Population demographics, projected changes in diet, trade liberalisation, an increased focus on conservation, technological innovations including GM crops, the impacts of climate change and adaptation strategies applied as a response to climate change resource limitations (particularly in terms of energy, water and nutrients) are interactions critical to the development of appropriate strategies for food security.

On completion of this course, students will:

gain an understanding of the global context of food security including its political, economic, social and environmental components be able to identify the main trade-offs that might exist between food security and other goals; be able to carry out independent research (either practical or desk-based) and produce reports of the research in a number of different formats (both written and verbal); have expertise in at least one specialist area (such as modelling or food supply chain analysis); be equipped with the necessary analytical and communication skills the students will be able to contribute to humanity.

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