Program Overview
This MSc in Sustainable Food Systems and Food Security equips students with knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of food systems, emphasizing sustainability, health, and equity. By combining interdisciplinary expertise, hands-on experience, and real-world research, the program prepares graduates to lead the transition towards more secure and sustainable food systems globally.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This MSc in Sustainable Food Systems and Food Security is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become leaders in the transition towards a more sustainable, efficient, healthier, and fairer food system. The program highlights the urgency of addressing food security and safety concerns, shifting attitudes towards food and farming, adapting to changing diets and demographics, and balancing global economic and environmental pressures. It emphasizes the importance of a holistic system thinking approach to understand, evaluate, and deconstruct the complexity of the food system, ultimately formulating secure and sustainable solutions to address grand challenges. The program benefits from expertise across various Schools within the University of Leeds, providing students with extensive knowledge and a diverse skill set to effectively tackle real-world issues. Students gain access to world-leading research in food and related topics conducted on campus, ensuring they are well-prepared for exciting and rewarding careers in the industry.
Outline:
The program is structured to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable food systems and food security. It covers various aspects of the food system, including production, consumption, supply chains, and trade.
Year 1 Compulsory Modules:
- Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems (30 credits): This module provides a foundational understanding of the complexities of food systems and the challenges associated with sustainability.
- Sustainable Food Consumption (15 credits): This module explores the role of food consumption in sustainability, examining factors influencing dietary choices and their environmental and social impacts.
- Sustainable Food Supply Chains and Trade (15 credits): This module delves into the intricacies of food supply chains, analyzing the challenges and opportunities for sustainability in global food trade.
- Food Systems Fieldtrip (15 credits): This module provides hands-on experience through field trips to food production and consumption sites, including a week-long trip to a food-producing region in the UK. Students gain insights into the interconnected nature of local, regional, and global food systems and the challenges of balancing competing priorities.
- Food Systems Research Project (60 credits): This module culminates the program with an individual research project focusing on a real-world challenge related to food sustainability. Students conduct original research under the guidance of academic supervisors and potential non-academic partners.
- Methods and Skills for Sustainable Food Systems (30 credits): This module equips students with the necessary research methods and analytical techniques to conduct effective sustainability research.
Teaching:
The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, and small group work. Problem-based learning is central to the program, encouraging innovation and interdisciplinary practice. Students work in teams to tackle complex sustainability challenges, integrating diverse resources and skills to find solutions. Independent study is also emphasized, allowing students to develop problem-solving and research skills through the extended research project. The program benefits from a strong research environment, with direct connections to the University's interdisciplinary research on food. Students are exposed to cutting-edge research and have opportunities to collaborate with industry, policymakers, NGOs, and the third sector. The program team comprises experts from various Schools within the University, including Earth and Environment, Food Science and Nutrition, Geography, Biology, the Institute for Transport Studies, and Leeds University Business School.
Assessment:
Assessment methods include a combination of traditional techniques such as essays, presentations, and report writing. The program also incorporates assessment methods for problem-based, experiential, and blended learning elements, such as group work and case studies.
Careers:
The program prepares graduates for a wide range of career paths in the food industry, government agencies, and other organizations working towards sustainable food systems. Graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to become effective change agents, leading the transition to more sustainable food systems. Potential career paths include:
- Agribusiness
- Food processing
- Retail
- Non-governmental organizations
- Charities
- Social enterprises
- Governmental organizations
- Policy-making bodies (e.g., Defra, WRAP)
- Regulatory bodies
- Food standards organizations
- Consultancy
- International organizations (e.g., The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO))
Other:
The program emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary learning, bringing together expertise from various disciplines to provide a holistic perspective on the food system. The program's strength lies in its interdisciplinary nature, integrating concepts, approaches, and perspectives from different disciplines to offer a seamless narrative throughout the course. The program team includes experts from various Schools within the University, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives and expertise. The program also emphasizes the importance of practical experience, with opportunities for students to participate in field trips and engage in real-world research projects. The program's focus on problem-based learning encourages students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, preparing them for successful careers in the field.
UK fees: £ 14,750 (Total) International fees: £ 30,000 (Total)
