Food Security MSc

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: Sustainability

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Mode of study

On campus

Full-time
  • MSc | 1 year | Start date: September 2026
Part-time
  • MSc | up to 3 years | Start date: multiple dates

Key facts

School

School of GeoSciences

College

College of Science and Engineering

Study location

King's Buildings campus

Accreditation

Not available

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About the degree programme

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.

Visit the SRUC website

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.

Video: Food security - a critical issue worldwide

Food security - a critical issue worldwide.

Study options

Part-time study

Two and three-year part-time study options are available for this programme. Part-time study requires daytime weekday attendance. Therefore, we recommend living within a commutable distance from Edinburgh.

We encourage you to contact us to discuss part-time study in more detail. 

Programme benefits

  • We welcome students from a wide range of backgrounds, from agricultural and environmental science to economic or political science, allowing you to benefit from a diverse set of insights and perspectives.
  • A large part of this programme is understanding how policy interacts with aspects of food security, helping you to better understand and analyse food security at local and global levels.
  • You will develop a broad range of skills, including analytical tools, to deal with food security data and empower you to generate solutions to make the food system more sustainable.
  • The programme strongly aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2, "End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture".

United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2

The theoretical knowledge I gained in lectures seamlessly translated into practical understanding during field visits, and the connections I made with fellow students and industry professionals have created an invaluable network for my future career. This programme has perfectly prepared me for a career in food security research by combining cutting-edge science with hands-on global perspectives on sustainable food systems.

Rakshanda Uikey MSc Food Security, graduated 2025
Rakshanda Uikey, MSc Food Security graduate

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time
Part-time

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

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

Costs

Additional programme costs

Field trips and field courses

Your programme fees will cover the costs of travel, accommodation and subsistence on compulsory field trips or field courses. However, you must pay for incidental or personal expenses. You may wish to budget approximately £100 to £150 for suitable outdoor clothing and footwear for compulsory field work.

Depending on the location of the fieldwork, you may need to pay for any visa costs. However, this cost will be reimbursed.

Dissertation costs

The School of GeoSciences operates a fund to support you with activity related to your dissertation project, such as specialist software licenses or travel expenses for site visits. 

On the rare occasion that costs exceed the funding amount, you may be required to cover additional costs. This is not common, and the University is typically able to provide any resources required to undertake your dissertation project.

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.

Living costs include:

  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel, clothes, books and stationery
  • recreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)

Living costs

Accommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.

University postgraduate accommodation options and costs

Funding opportunities

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 2026/27 academic year will accept applications from 1 October 2025 at 10am until 7 November 2025 at 5pm (UK Time). Applicants must be citizens of an African country and residents in an African country. Applications from refugees and displaced people who have left their African home country to live elsewhere on the continent are welcome.

Mastercard Foundation Postgraduate Scholarships

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 first. 

If you receive a scholarship offer from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, you can then apply for the academic programme.

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) alumni discount

The SRUC alumni discount aims to encourage SRUC graduates to take up opportunities to study a 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 if you are a SRUC graduate on your application, as this will help speed up the process. For further information, get in touch with the Programme Administrator.

Visit the SRUC website

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

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. Students with other backgrounds are also welcome to apply if the personal statement shows understanding and interest on the topic. 
 
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.

International qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • 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.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 6 in each component.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 135 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We 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

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

This MSc programme (total 180 credits) comprises:

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

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
  • orphan crops
  • water, nutrient and energy use and food security
  • animal health and welfare
  • climate change mitigation, impacts and adaptation
  • 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
  • food systems and trade
  • income distribution and food security

Compulsory courses

Our compulsory courses (80 credits) currently include:

  • Frameworks to Assess Food Security
  • Sustainability of Food Production
  • Interrelationships in Food Systems
  • Data Collection and Analysis for Food Security
Dissertation

You will also complete an independent research project called a dissertation. This is your opportunity to explore, in-depth, a topic of your choice in relation to food security. 

This is worth 60 credits and typically consists of producing a written paper of 10,000 to 15,000 words. You may also be required to write a project proposal or present on the findings from your dissertation.

Your dissertation is a fantastic opportunity to put into practice the empirical and methodological research knowledge you will learn during the course. You can use the dissertation to demonstrate your work, research skills and knowledge of academic conventions to potential employers.

Your project is mostly completed over a period of several months between April and August. However, the teaching team will work with you throughout the programme to help you prepare for the dissertation project.

Some of our students submit their dissertations to be presented at conferences within the wider sector.

Dissertations with external partners

You may also have the option to complete a dissertation project in partnership with an external organisation. We work with our wide network to find opportunities for these projects, enhancing the real-world relevance of your degree.

This option is not guaranteed and may require an additional application or interview, depending on the popularity and competitiveness of the project offered by the external organisation.

Option courses

You can choose 40 credits of option courses from a wide variety available across the School of GeoSciences.

This is an opportunity for you to tailor your taught experiences by either exploring new topics and disciplines, or delving deeper into areas based on your existing interest or relevance to your future career.

Although we try to provide a wide range of option courses to choose from, these can be subject to change or cancellation at short notice. Places on option 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 option courses.

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Full-time
Part-time

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Disclaimer

Fieldwork course review

The School of GeoSciences is undergoing a review of its fieldwork courses. This review focuses on improving the inclusivity and accessibility of fieldwork, whilst delivering sustainable and low-carbon experiences, and maintaining pedagogical excellence.

As a result, field course locations may vary year to year, but will always align with course learning outcomes.

Field trips

Our compulsory field trips or field courses are free, including travel and accommodation.

The MSc Food Security aims to develop your knowledge and skills with real-world food security challenges through a field trip experience. 

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

Previous field trips have included visits to:

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

Previous locations have included:

  • Malaysia
  • Kenya
  • Italy
  • Peru
Local trips

You may also take part in a day trip during Welcome Week, providing an opportunity to get to know your fellow students and staff.

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.

MSc Food Security students during a field trip to Peru.
MSc Food Security students during a field trip to Peru.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

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

Teaching for this programme will typically involve a mix of:

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • review materials before class, such as watching videos or reading papers
  • computer workshops
  • round table discussions

Assessment

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, such as:

  • blogs
  • broadcasts
  • essays
  • technical reports
  • reflective pieces
  • group reports
  • group presentations

Learning outcomes

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 an 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.

Support for your studies

Student Experience Team

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a Student Adviser within the School's Student Experience Team, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.

How we support you

Cohort activities

You will also have access to a range of cohort activities. These are a mix of social and academic support events.

Social events are typically student-led. Previous programme cohorts have organised activities such as:

  • day trips in Welcome Week
  • pizza night
  • walks up Arthur's Seat
  • local volunteering sessions

Academic events often include workshops to support you with planning for your dissertation project. We also run activities to develop specific skills based on student requests. Previous examples include training on how to undertake a systematic literature review, or developing presentation skills.

MSc Food Security students visiting a local farm during Welcome Week.
MSc Food Security students visiting a local farm during Welcome Week.

Our academic staff

Courses are delivered by lecturers who are active researchers and experts in food security-related fields, such as the sciences of crop and animal production, food supply chains, and food policy.

As the programme is delivered in collaboration with SRUC, an institution specialising in agriculture and the food sector, you will have access to a range of expertise across both the University of Edinburgh and SRUC.

You will also benefit from the knowledge and expertise of selected guest speakers from non-academic organisations such as the food industry, government and non-governmental organisations.

Where you will study

Study location

This programme is primarily based at the King's Buildings campus. Depending on the courses you are studying, you may study at various campus locations in Edinburgh, such as the University's Central campus.

SRUC is also based at the King's Buildings campus.

Academic facilities

This programme is delivered in collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC). Therefore you will have access to facilities across both institutions.

University of Edinburgh

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

For example:

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

You will also have access to the Masters Hub, located in the ECCI building at the Central campus. 

Visit the ECCI website

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

Career opportunities

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 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

Graduate destinations

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

  • USAID
  • Soil Association
  • Food Security & Sustainability Program
  • 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

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

Professional links

Alumni networks

This programme benefits from an active alumni network. You will be encouraged to join our networking group to allow you to hear about and share opportunities during and after the programme.

Research 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.

Some of our students submit their dissertations to associations such as 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

SAC Consulting

SRUC works closely with colleagues in our consulting division, SAC Consulting. In recent years, several graduates of this programme have obtained consultancy roles. 

Visit SAC Consulting

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

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.

Graduate profiles

Hear from our alumni about their experiences during, and after, postgraduate study

School of GeoSciences postgraduate alumni profiles

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

How to apply

You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.

You should avoid applying to more than one degree within the School of GeoSciences. Applicants who can demonstrate their understanding and commitment to a specific programme are preferred.

If you plan to apply to more than one programme within the School, you should discuss your choices with us before you submit your application.

Where possible, we may make an alternative programme offer if you have been unsuccessful in your chosen programme.

School of GeoSciences deadlines

When to apply

Due to high demand, the school operates a number of selection deadlines.

We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications may close earlier than the published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.

We may make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis. However, the majority of applications will be held until the advertised deadline.

We aim to make the majority of decisions within eight weeks of the selection deadline.

If we have not made you an offer by a specific selection deadline this means one of two things:

  • your application has been unsuccessful, in which case we will contact you to let you know
  • your application is still being considered, it will be carried forward for consideration in the next selection deadline, and we will be in touch once a decision is made

The final deadline may be extended if any places remain on the programme.

If the final deadline is extended, we encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

Selection deadlines

RoundApplication deadlineDecisions made or applications rolled to the next deadline
115 December1 March
231 March31 May
331 May31 July

When to submit your supporting documents

You must submit all supporting documents by the application deadline, or we will be unable to consider your application. Regardless of when you apply, you have 28 days from submitting your application to supply any supporting documents through the Application Hub, after which we will automatically reject your application.

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

You will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

For this programme, you will need to submit a CV/Resume with your application.

Find out more about applications and CVs for further study

References

You must submit one reference with your application.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

What our students say

No one knows what it is like to study here better than the students themselves. Our students are sharing their experiences - from studying to living in Edinburgh and everything in between.

Get social with us:

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Admissions

Lines open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.

College of Science and Engineering Admissions Enquiries
Phone:+44 (0)131 650 5737

Academic contact

For programme-specific enquiries, please get in touch with the Programme Director.

Dr Montse Costa Font

Programme Director

Contact details

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