MSc Food Security and Development

University of Reading

United Kingdom, Reading

University RankQS Ranking

173

Apply Now!

Go to Official Website

Home/United Kingdom/Reading /University of Reading/MSc Food Security and Development

University of Reading

United Kingdom , Reading

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 12 month(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 26,450 / year

Next Intake September-2026

MSc Food Security and Development

About

Address the challenges of global food insecurity and poverty with our MSc Food Security and Development master’s degree.

Study at the UK’s leading university for environmental and ethical performance (the University of Reading is ranked 1st in the People and Planet University League, 2023/24).

You will develop a multidisciplinary understanding of how food systems work in developing countries, and explore the main drivers of global food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty.

Choose MSc Food Security and Development at the University of Reading

You will:

join the highest ranking UK university, and one of the top 20 universities in the world, for Agriculture and Forestry (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2023). We are the only UK university ranked in the top 50.
build knowledge of how food systems interact with human development policies at international, national and local levels.
gain the conceptual and practical skills necessary for the analysis and development of planned food security interventions.

Joining this programme means you’ll also be joining the Graduate Institute of International Development, Agriculture and Economics in our School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, where we are committed to empowering change through our teaching and research. Our academics tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues across their respective fields of expertise, and our mission is to make a difference in the context of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements

Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (high 2:2 or above), or equivalent from a university outside the UK. Evidence of prior experience in the sector may also be taken into consideration.

This course requires an intermediate knowledge of microeconomics and quantitative methods. However, if you have little or no economics training, you may be admitted if you attend our pre-sessional economics course.

Students may join immediately after their undergraduate degree, or after some years of employment to enhance career prospects by acquiring further skills.
For a list of requirements by country, please visit our Country-Specific Information page.

Your personal statement

Your personal statement needs to demonstrate that you understand what the course is about, your motivation for studying, and what you would like to get out of your studies. You may reflect on paid or unpaid experience in the field to help support your personal statement.

Please indicate your understanding of why food security is a challenge in international development.

Language requirements

Applicants may need to provide evidence of their ability to study in English (if required by UK Visa and Immigration). Our online list of English language tests and qualifications is routinely updated, so please check to see if you already have an acceptable qualification or test, and for the most recent changes to language requirements.

If you have any questions about your evidence of English language proficiency, please email pgadmissions@reading.ac.uk.

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5 (or equivalent)

Pre-sessional English language Programme

Our Pre-sessional English Programme is for international students who need to meet their degree programme English language requirements.

Our courses equip you with the skills and language needed for academic success, including critical thinking, self-reflection, learner autonomy, research skills and integrating sources. The Pre-sessional English Programme is accredited by the global association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes, which guarantees you will receive a high-quality student experience.

To find out more, visit Pre-sessional English.

English Program Requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5 (or equivalent)

Career

Your MSc Food Security and Development degree will prepare you for a career in:

international food security
community development
international development
roles at the intersection of food, nutrition and agriculture.

A wide variety of visiting speakers and field trips means you’ll have many opportunities for networking, while competitive internships, placements, and research dissertations provide opportunities to showcase your skills, undertake field research, or link with organisations in the development sector.

Our graduates

Read about Barsabas Efuk Joseph Ojiok, an MSc Food Security and Development graduate who is now a Community Liaison Assistant with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Read about Kasonde Christopher Kasonde, an MSc Food Security and Development graduate who is now an Advisor – Food and Beverage Team in the Ministry for Primary Industries in Wellington, New Zealand.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 26,450

Application Fee

GBP

How to Apply

1. Check our entry requirements

Please see our postgraduate subject finder for minimum entry requirements for the programme you are interested in; entry requirements can vary from one programme to another. International students can consult our country-specific pages for information and guidance on alternative qualification equivalencies for master’s study.

If English is not your first language, you will also need to meet our English language requirements. You can find the IELTS requirements on each course page. We also accept a range of alternative English language qualifications.

If your English ability is not at the required standard, you can choose to apply for one of our Pre-sessional English programmes. The programmes will equip you with the study skills and preparation needed for academic study in English. The length of your Pre-sessional English programme is determined by your current level of English against the English language requirements of your chosen master’s programme.

2. Application and funding deadlines

Although most master’s programmes do not formally close for applications, some programmes do have application deadlines; if your programme has a deadline it will be specified on the course page under the ‘Entry requirements’ section. For programmes that do not have a specific application deadline, places may be limited and programmes may become full. We recommend that you apply as early as possible (particularly if you are an international student) to allow time not only for us to process your application, but for you to ensure that you can meet any offer conditions, arrange your accommodation and, importantly, funding for your studies. For admission in September, we do recommend that you apply by 1 August (if you are a UK applicant) and 1 July (if you are an international applicant requiring a visa to come to the UK) however, we are happy to still consider applications after these dates.

International applicants should also see our advice and guidance on visas and immigration.

Funding deadlines

We require an offer of study for many of our master’s scholarships and bursaries. You should check deadlines for applications carefully, and each scholarship or bursary will have specific application instructions. We may add scholarships throughout the year, so it is a good idea to re-visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

3. Submit your application

You can apply for master’s programmes directly through our online application system, RISIS. For our PGCE/Teacher Training programmes, applications must be made via the Department of Education's Find Postgraduate Teacher Training portal. Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automatic confirmation.

Various documents are needed to make your application. You should electronically upload:

full transcripts of all degree programmes taken. If these are not in English, a certified translation into English is required. Please do not mail original copies; we only require PDF copies via electronic upload,
an English language certificate (for example IELTS or TOEFL), if English is not your first language (this can also be provided after you submit your application),
contact details for two academic/professional references. Your references will automatically be invited via email to upload their reference directly once you have submitted your application. Please remind your references to check their junk/spam filters for the email and let them know that the link to the form is only valid for 20 days,
statement of purpose. Your personal statement should outline your academic performance, interest in applying to master’s study, any relevant work experience and skills gained,
a copy of your passport (for international students).

Application fee

We do not charge an application fee to apply for our master’s programmes.

4. Track your application

You can track the progress of your application using our applicant portal, Me@Reading, a personalised resource including information about your programme of study, student stories and what's happening here at Reading. It has everything you need to know, all in one place. When we have made a decision on your application, we will contact you via email. If we are able to make you an offer for a place to study, your offer will contain information about what to do next, including how to accept your offer, pay a deposit (if applicable), and any conditions you must meet to study with us.