Agricultural and Food Economics

Entry requirements

Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (high 2:2 or above), or equivalent from a university outside the UK. Applicants who have relevant career experience are also welcome to apply.

You will need an intermediate knowledge of microeconomics and quantitative methods, however, strong applicants with little or no training in economics may be admitted, provided you attend a 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.

Please note: If you have little or no training in economics, you may be admitted if you attend our pre-sessional economics course.

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 tell us how this degree will help your research career or research aspirations.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Develop your research skills for agricultural economics and food economics with our MRes Agricultural and Food Economics 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).

During your studies you’ll develop applied economics and marketing skills – including quantitative and qualitative research techniques – and then apply them to a diverse range of contemporary farm, food and rural issues in both developed and developing country contexts.

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 in the top 50.
• receive rigorous training in research methods, preparing you for a research career in academic and non-academic organisations, as well as doctoral studies in agricultural and food economics and marketing.
• choose from a diverse range of modules that aim to give you the knowledge and skills you need to have an impact and be part of global change.

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.

Information for international students

For a list of requirements by country, please visit our Country-Specific Information page.

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

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.

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score, you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

Fees and funding