Food Security MSc

This MSc programme (total 180 credits) comprises:

• compulsory courses and option courses (total 120 credits)
• dissertation (60 credits)

Topics

You will have the opportunity to explore a range of topics in your compulsory and option courses. Examples include:

• role of genetics in food security
• nutrient and energy use and food security
• animal health and welfare
• climate change: mitigation, impacts and adaptation
• skills in the analysis of datasets relevant to food security in R including interpretation skills with hands-on examples
• role of power in food supply chains
• food security and circular economy
• poverty and food security

Dissertation

We will work with you throughout your studies to prepare you for your dissertation project. This will be your opportunity to explore a topic of your choice related to food security.

Your dissertation will also be a fantastic opportunity to put into practice the empirical and methodological research knowledge you will learn during the course to successfully study the chosen dissertation topic. Your dissertation is also a powerful tool to demonstrate (such as to potential employers) that you have mastered research skills, have a good knowledge of your field and an understanding of academic conventions.

We also work with our wide network to find opportunities for dissertation projects with external organisations, enhancing the real-world relevance of your degree.

Some of our students submit their dissertations to the Agricultural Economics Society (AES), or the International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAEC), among other professional associations to become members.

• Visit the Agricultural Economics Society website
• Visit the International Association of Agricultural Economists website

How will I learn?

You will experience a range of learning styles while studying, depending on the subject matter and courses you are taking.

Courses are delivered by lecturers who are active researchers and experts in food security-related fields (for example, the sciences of crop and animal production, food supply chains, and food policy). You will also benefit from the knowledge and expertise of selected guest speakers from non-academic organisations (for example, the food industry, government and non-governmental organisations).

You can view each relevant course for teaching and assessment methods through the ‘Programme Structure’ link under compulsory and option courses below.

Changes to teaching and learning

We are committed to offering high-quality education to all our students. However, please be advised that there may be changes to course options and delivery. All decisions are made to ensure we can provide the highest standards for your educational experience.

Although we endeavour to provide a wide range of optional courses to choose from, these can be subject to change or cancellation at short notice. Places on optional courses can be limited due to course capacity and timetabling constraints. It may not be possible to guarantee every offer holder their top choice of optional courses.

Part-time study

You may study this programme part-time as we are committed to helping people into education while continuing to work or managing family and personal commitments. Two and three-year part-time options are available. We recommend living within a commutable distance from Edinburgh in order to undertake part-time study, and we encourage you to contact us to discuss part-time study in more detail.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

By studying the MSc Food Security you will be able to:

• Provide a broad understanding of agronomic, environmental, economic and socio-political factors that influence food security.
• Identify the main trade-offs that might exist between food security and other desirable goals.
• Have and understanding of the potential impact of non-food security policies and processes on food security.
• Have an understanding in modelling food security and food supply chain analysis.
• Apply scientific information and methods in the analysis of complex problems.
• Investigate policy questions on food security interlinked to areas such as circular economy, ecosystems services, and climate change.
• Formulate a research problem and independently carry out the research needed to produce an appropriate solution in a range of scientific or policy contexts.
• Enhance your skills in specialist topics related to food security.

The MSc Food Security gives you the scope to fulfil the growing demand for qualified experts contributing to the policy and development on food production, food consumption and the supply chain.

You will be able to develop methodologies to appraise trade-offs in terms of risk and uncertainty in strategic decision-making, from the farm level to the national planning level.

Our graduates

Our graduates have typically gained employment in a variety of sectors, including:

• government organisations
• NGO agencies
• international bodies
• research and education
• private businesses
• multinational corporations

Roles have included:

• Government Analyst
• Climate Policy and Advocacy Specialist
• Communication Officer
• Food Security & Sustainability Program Manager (Council)
• Marketing Analyst
• Consultant Analyst, Economic Development Team
• Researcher

Examples of the organisations our graduates have gained employment with include:

• USAID
• Soil Association
• Food Security & Sustainability Program Manager
• The Trade Council of Denmark in Indonesia and Malaysia
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• World Business Council for Sustainable Development
• NIRAS
• One Acre Fund
• AECOM
• UPSIDE Foods
• Shrub Coop
• ActionAid UK
• Ocado
• Eating Better Alliance
• Lufa Farms
• The Food Think Tank
• Kantar

Further study

Additionally, given the media attention and prominence of food security for our rapidly growing population, it is a great time to pursue further PhD research and academic study in this area.

Please note: the MSc Food Security is not a suitable qualification for those interested in Food Hygiene, Food Safety or related areas.

The World Food Programme’s role is to end hunger, food insecurity and all forms of malnutrition. We recognise that no one single organisation can tackle this global challenge alone and therefore coordinate and closely work with other UN agencies as well as civil societies and the private sector to tackle hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition. Dr Joyce Kanyangwa Luma, World Food Programme

Networks

Through this MSc, you will meet a range of researchers who offer their perspectives on taught courses. You will also be invited to seminars to listen and ask questions to food and drink stakeholders.

There is also opportunity for broader industry engagement through the curriculum e.g. undertaking a dissertation with an external organisation, and extra-curricular activities organised by the Programme Director.

Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience at the University, providing:

• tailored advice
• individual guidance and personal assistance
• internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
• access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree. Studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success, whatever shape that takes.

• Careers Service

Field trips

The MSc Food Security aims to develop your knowledge and skills with real-world food security challenges through a field trip experience. Our compulsory field trips or field courses are free, including travel and accommodation.

Our field trip will enable you to see how the knowledge, techniques and investigative skills learned during the earlier part of the programme are applied in practice.

Previous field trips included visits to:

• international organisations
• government institutions
• local universities
• key stakeholders involved in the food supply chain within the relevant country

The countries previously visited have been Malaysia, Kenya, Italy, and Peru.

You may also take part in a day trip during induction week to give you a chance to get to know your fellow students and staff.

Changes to field trips

Field course locations may change for a variety of reasons, including the health and safety of our students, staff and communities, and to ensure we can maintain the highest standards for your educational experience. Where suitable, fieldwork will be relocated or rescheduled. We will also look at alternative arrangements that will ensure you achieve the quality learning outcomes of your degree. We will announce any changes as soon as possible.

Accessibility on field trips

We are committed to making our degree as accessible and inclusive as possible. In the event that you cannot attend a fieldwork trip, we will provide alternatives with comparable learning outcomes where necessary.

Where you will study

This programme is delivered in collaboration with Scotland's Rural College (SRUC).

You will have access to student facilities at both:

• Scotland's Rural College (SRUC)
• University of Edinburgh

Many of your courses will be delivered at the Kings Buildings Campus. You may also have access to SRUC's lab facilities through elective courses or if your dissertation involves lab work.

As a student of this MSc, you will also have access to the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI) Masters Hub.

University of Edinburgh

You will have access to the University's facilities across all University sites.

For example:

• laboratories
• libraries
• study spaces (some of which are open 24 hours)
• computing facilities
• social spaces
• leisure facilities

Depending on the option courses you choose, you may study at various campus locations in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Climate Change Institute Masters Hub

As a student of this MSc, you will also have access to the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI) Masters Hub. You will have access to the shared 'Masters Hub' study space in ECCI as well as the café and shared working spaces on the ground and first floors. Some of your teaching may take place in the ECCI.

ECCI is also close to many teaching spaces and facilities within the Central Area campus. For example, the Main Library and gym.

• Visit the ECCI website

King's Buildings campus

The King's Buildings (KB) is the main campus of the College of Science and Engineering.

The King's Buildings campus is around 15 minutes from central Edinburgh. It is easily accessible by bus. You can also cycle (10 minutes) or walk (25 minutes) from the central area.

Scotland's Rural College (SRUC)

You will have access to SRUC's student facilities. These include facilities at SRUC Edinburgh, which is located within the University of Edinburgh's King's Buildings campus.

• SRUC Edinburgh campus

Take a virtual tour

You can take a closer look at the School of GeoSciences and explore our facilities and campus on the University's Virtual Visit site.

Discover our city's landmarks, our campuses, accommodation and get video tours - all in one place.

• Take a virtual tour
• SRUC Edinburgh King's Building Campus Tour

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

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.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which 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. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• 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 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 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.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been 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

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Deposit

If you receive an offer of admission you will need to pay a deposit to secure your place.

• £1,500 (this contributes towards your tuition fees)

Find out more about tuition fee deposits:

• Tuition fee deposits

Field trips and field courses

We do not charge extra fees for compulsory field trips or field courses.

The programme fees will cover costs of travel, accommodation and subsistence on compulsory field trips. However, you must pay for incidental or personal expenses. This may include suitable outdoor clothing and footwear.

Living costs

You will be responsible for covering living costs for the duration of your studies.

Tuition fees

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money
  • taking out a loan
  • family support
• personal savings
• income from work
• employer sponsorship
• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Mastercard Foundation Postgraduate Scholarships

Scholarships are available for this programme. The postgraduate study scholarships for the 2025/26 academic year will accept applications from 1st October 2024 at 10:00 AM until 8th November 2024 at 5:00 PM (UK Time). Applicants must be residents and citizens or hold refugee status in a Sub-Saharan African country.

For more information and how to apply, visit:

• Mastercard Foundation Postgraduate Scholarships

Please note: If the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is the only scholarship you are interested in applying for at the University of Edinburgh, please apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship only. If you receive a scholarship offer from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, you can then apply for the academic programme.

School of GeoSciences scholarships

• See potential funding for GeoSciences students

Scholarships and student funding

You can find funding opportunities, tuition fees and costs of living for prospective UK and international postgraduate students on the University website.

• Postgraduate scholarships and student funding

You are also encouraged to undertake your own research into the range of potential scholarships and other funding outside the University for which you may be eligible.

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) alumni discount

The SRUC alumni discount aims to encourage SRUC graduates to take up opportunities to study taught masters (MSc). SRUC may provide a financial contribution towards tuition fees for eligible applicants for SRUC programmes delivered in conjunction with the University of Edinburgh.

SRUC will notify you if you are eligible to receive the discount on tuition fees during the application and admissions process. Please tell us on your application if you are a SRUC graduate, as this will help speed up the process. For further information, please get in touch with the Programme Administrator.

• Visit the SRUC website

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding