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.

English language requirements

All applicants must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of their English language ability:

• an undergraduate or masters degree, that was taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country as defined by UK Visas and Immigration
• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries
• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 (at least 6.0 in each module)
• TOEFL-iBT: total 100 (at least 20 in each module)
• PTE(A): total 67 (at least 56 in each of the "Communicative Skills" sections; the "Enabling Skills" sections are not considered)
• CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 169 in each module)
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components

Degrees taught and assessed in English must be no more than two and a half years old at the beginning of your degree programme. Language tests must be no more than two years old at the beginning of your degree programme.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Graduates will be equipped with the analytical and communication skills to contribute to humanity’s efforts to achieve and sustain food security during the 21st century.

This programme is not suitable for applicants pursuing a career in food science or food safety/hygiene or related areas. Please read the programme description and ensure you understand the nature of the programme before you apply. Applicants who do not show a clear understanding of the programme will not be accepted.

Food security has become a critically important issue for societies around the globe. Interactions between demographics, changes in diet, trade liberalisation, an increased focus on conservation, technological innovations including GM crops, the impact of climate change and new responses to climate change resource limitations (particularly in terms of energy, water and nutrients) all affect food security.

With such a rapid growth in this area, there is an increasing demand for qualified experts to contribute to policy creation and legislation in food production and the supply chain.

This unique MSc offers students the scope and multidisciplinary approach to address all of these issues, as well as an understanding of the technical, agronomic, environmental, economic and socio-political factors that influence food security.

This programme is run in collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

Programme details:

Compulsory courses typically will be:

• Frameworks to Assess Food Security
• Professional & Research Skills in Practice
• Sustainability of Food Production
• Interrelationships in Food Systems
• Dissertation

Option courses:

In consultation with the Programme Director, you will choose from a range of option courses. We particularly recommend:

• Foundations in Ecological Economicis
• Atmospheric Quality and Global Change
• Applications in Ecological Economics
• Principles of Environmental Sustainability
• Case Studies in Sustainable Development
• Soil Ecology and Taxonomy
• Soil Protection and Management
• The Ecology of Ecosystem Services
• Land Use/ Environmental Interactions
• Climate Change and Corporate Strategy
• Interrelationships in Food Security
• Soil Science Concepts and Application
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Ecosystem Service Values
• Ecosystem Service Values 2: Ecosystem Values and Management
• Framework to assess Food Security
• Gender and Development
• Global Environment and Society
• Global Environmental Politics
• Governing Mineral Extraction in Africa
• Human Dimensions of Environmental Change and Sustainability
• Geodiversity Conservation and Interpretation

Information for international students

To find out about the support offered to international students at Edinburgh from arrival to graduation visit: http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/international

Fees and funding

Visit Scholarships and Student Funding Services at: http://www.ed.ac.uk/student-funding

Qualification and course duration

MSc