Food Security and Development
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.
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.
Months of entry
September
Course content
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.
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
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
The Graduate Institute of International Development, Agriculture and Economics also offers a number of scholarships.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MSc
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Global Recruitment Team
- student.recruitment@reading.ac.uk