MSc Food Security

This course focuses on the analytical and communication skills needed to contribute to the achievement and sustaining of food security in the 21st century. It can be studied full time over one year or part time over two years.

Location: Edinburgh
Study mode:
Subject area: Agriculture, Animal and Biological Sciences, Food
Start date: September 2023
Agency code: Z906

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Course overview

Food security has become a critically important issue for societies around the globe. With rapid growth in the area, there's an increasing demand for qualified experts to help create the policies and legislations that protect and govern food production and the supply chain.

This unique MSc has the scope and multidisciplinary approach to address the multiple issues surrounding food security, as well as offering an understanding of the technical, agronomic, environmental, economic and socio-political factors that influence it.

Theoretical studies are given a practical backdrop through a study tour, which provides the opportunity to apply some of the principles to real world scenarios.

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

Virtual Experience

Take a look around the SRUC Virtual Experience for lots of great student videos and examples of what it’s like to study our courses, along with campus and facility tours.

SRUC holds open days regularly. Visit our listings page for details of our up-coming events.

Got a question? Get in touch

Montse Costa-Font, Programme Director
Phone: +44 (0) 131 535 4225
Email: montse.costafont@sruc.ac.uk

Entry requirements

Preferably a UK honours degree (2:1) or equivalent, in agricultural or environmental sciences, engineering or social sciences, or other relevant subject.

Evidence of English competence.

What you'll learn

This MSc programme consists of six courses over two semesters, and an individual dissertation project of about 12,000 words. The study tour, which takes place in the Spring, is an integral part of the programme and an opportunity to see theoretical studies in practice.

You must complete your dissertation plus four compulsory courses to graduate. Compulsory courses are:

Frameworks to Assess Food Security
Sustainability of Food Production
Professional and Research Skills in Practice
Interrelationships in Food Systems

Meet the lecturer

Ruth Vichos

Ruth is a lecturer in horticulture with a passion for crop production and food security. Her main focus is always on creating a solid foundation of education. Empowering people with knowledge and skills gives them the opportunity to better their own lives. This is true for teaching at SRUC and overseas projects she’s involved in.

For 5 years, Ruth has worked for a charity in Tanzania on a variety of projects; from school vegetable gardens to integrated farming systems. The greatest highlight so far has been to see HIV+ widows earning their first income since their husbands died, from a sunflower oil project she started.