Food Security (Taught)

This MSc programme explores important issues related to food security. It is designed to specifically address the social, economic, environmental and production aspects of food security, such as the intersection of:

• food production

• distribution

• consumption

• agriculture

• environment

• nutrition-related policies

• human behaviour

Food insecurity has been rising globally since 2019 due to changes in the global landscape. What is responsible for this trend of instability?

Some of the food security challenges we face include:

• food access and affordability

• food availability and utilisation

• climate shocks

• finite resources

• political crises

• globalisation

• global shocks

• cost of living crisis

• urbanisation

• global food shortages

• increasing food prices

Our interdisciplinary MSc will provide you with knowledge and problem-solving skills on the broad topic of food security. You will receive training in quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques to help you understand and measure the effect of the drivers of food insecurity, and provide solutions.

You will explore how 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 and the exchange value of commodities.

You will also learn about the role of genetics in addressing sustainable food production and consumption, the importance of underutilised crops and superfoods, and the increasing pressures on resources such as water and soil, among other topics.

In addition, you will learn how to design effective policies to improve people's food security in developed and developing countries.

There is an increasing demand for qualified experts in this field to contribute to policy creation and legislation in food production. Furthermore, companies need food security experts to assess the agri-industry by tracing their development strategy to improve food production and distribution sustainably.

Scotland's Rural College

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

You will benefit from being a fully enrolled student at the University of Edinburgh and have access to all of the complementary staff, expertise, and resources at SRUC. Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be awarded your degree by the University of Edinburgh.

Food safety and hygiene

The MSc Food Security is not a suitable qualification for those mainly interested in Food Hygiene, Food Safety or related areas.

Please read about this programme carefully and ensure you understand the nature of the programme before you apply. We will not accept applicants who do not show a clear understanding of the programme.