Food Security MSc

Access to good and healthy food is a basic human right.

However, in 2023, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that about 28.9% of the global population was food insecure. Since 2019, the prevalence of food insecurity has increased globally. Several challenges are generating this complex situation, such as:

• food access and affordability
• food availability and utilisation
• climate shocks
• finite resources
• political crises
• globalisation
• global shocks as the Covid-19 pandemic
• cost of living crisis
• urbanisation
• global food shortages
• increasing food prices

This MSc programme explores important issues related to food security. It is designed to specifically address the social and economic aspects of food security, such as the intersection of food production, distribution, consumption, agriculture, environment, nutrition-related policies, and human behaviour.

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 in a sustainable way.

What will I learn?

Our interdisciplinary MSc will provide you with knowledge and problem-solving skills on the broad topic of food security. You will receive training on quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques that will help you to understand and measure the effect of the drivers of food insecurity. In addition, you will learn how to design effective policies to improve people's food security in developed and developing countries.

Through this programme, you will explore issues such as:

• the transformation of the food system
• food supply chain
• diet and nutrition
• technology and innovation
• trade
• food waste
• conservation
• circular economy
• climate change
• income distribution
• gender inequality
• influencing human behaviour

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.

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.

Is the MSc for me?

We welcome students from a wide range of backgrounds, from agricultural and environmental science to economic or political science, among others. This programme is suitable for students who want to better understand how to analyse food security at local and global levels and are interested in developing skills to work towards reducing food insecurity and making the food system more sustainable.

Food safety and hygiene

Please note: 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. Applicants who do not show a clear understanding of the programme will not be accepted.

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, as well as 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

What is it really like to study with us?

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:

• Student experience blog
• School of GeoSciences Instagram
• School of GeoSciences TikTok

When to apply

Please note: Due to high demand for this programme, we operate on a series of early application deadlines.

We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

For dates and details, please refer to 'Application Deadlines' and 'How to apply ' on the right panel of this page.

You should also avoid applying to more than one degree. Applicants who can demonstrate their understanding and commitment to a specific programme are preferred.

If you plan to apply to more than one programme, 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.

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.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

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

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