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Food Security at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS

Course options

2026 - 2027
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

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.

Modules

See the University of Edinburgh website for detailed programme information.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on the University of Edinburgh website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Tuition fees vary between degree programmes. Find the specific fees for your chosen programme on our website.
Food Security at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS