MA Food & Development

FOod system innovations are key to achieving sustainable development.

Food is a cross-cutting development issue that concerns hunger, food insecurity, malnutrition, environment sustainability, power, politics, social justice and cultural identity. It is about the global and the local and the hard trade-offs that the globalisation era has brought about.

The MA Food and Development draws on wide-ranging expertise of faculty at both IDS and the School of Global Studies at the University of Sussex (where you will be based). You will gain an advanced understanding of the complex relationship between food and development. You will build your analytical and practical skills, improving your ability to engage critically with issues such as:

food and nutrition security
sustainable food systems
value chains and corporate power
agri-food technology and its contestations

Our faculty have extensive knowledge and direct field experience. And our guest speakers – from government bodies, international organisations, NGOs, and local food networks and movements – introduce you to contemporary policy debates and practices.

World-leaders in development studies

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) delivers world-class research, learning and teaching that transforms the knowledge, action and leadership needed for more equitable and sustainable development globally. IDS has been ranked first in the world for development studies, in partnership with the University of Sussex, for the last eight years. The School of Global Studies is world leading in the field of development studies and offers the opportunity to learn from critical and engaged academics who are making a difference to global communities through research, teaching and activism.

Who is the degree for?

We welcome applicants with a broad range of career trajectories. Successful applicants will typically have at least one year’s practical experience in development alongside an interest in critical academic enquiry. Previous experience and engagement with issues relating to food in development (e.g. food security, nutrition, food systems, food policy and regulation, food rights or food sovereignty) is an advantage.

Course content & structure

The academic year starts in September and has three terms.

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.

While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.

In the summer term, you will research and write a 10,000-word dissertation under the supervision of a faculty member, or undertake a dissertation with placement.

Modules

The links below will take you to the University of Sussex’s website to find out more about each module.

Autumn

Critical Debates in Development Theory (core)
Food Politics and Development (core)

Spring

Summer

IDS is a place rich in diversity, excitement and challenges. I arrived with a set of preconceptions about the world and sustainability issues and came away with a mindset shift. I now have the confidence and tools to engage with complex and conflicting arguments and understand the importance of finding depth in knowledge, and consistently show up with intent to unpack and challenge the status quo. These lessons I carry with me throughout all of life. Thank you!

- Amber Lawes

The teaching has been excellent. The nature of both the lectures and seminars is very much student focused, and debates and challenges are encouraged.

- Will Hopson, MA Food and Development

Placements

To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. Research placements run for up to 12 weeks in the summer term and vacation. You can also write your dissertation based on your experience. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can help you:

find an employer
draft an application
prepare for interviews.

Find out more about Global Studies postgraduate placements

Please note: If you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t undertake your placement/internship in the USA. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid

Assessment criteria

Entry requirements

You should normally have an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree or above. Your qualification should be in the natural or social sciences. Your qualification should be in a social or natural science but if you do not meet the academic requirements or have other degrees you will also be considered if you can show evidence of relevant work or voluntary experience. You must write a detailed two-page personal statement, explaining why you are applying for the degree and the relevance of your previous experience.

The course is taught in English. To derive the maximum benefit from the course, participants should be proficient in English and able to take an active part in discussions. The minimum requirement is, for example, an IELTS grade of 6.5 overall and no less than 6.0 in each section of the IELTS test. For detailed information on English language requirements for international students please see the University of Sussex website.

Fees & scholarships

Fees for home students (UK, Republic of Ireland, Channels Islands and Isle of Man) are £10,500 per year for full-time students, for 2024/25 academic year.

International student fees (including EU) are: £21,500 per year for full-time students, for 2024/25 academic year.

If you study part time over two years, you’ll be charged 50% of the equivalent full-time fee in each year of study. Your second-year fee – if you continue your studies without a break – will be subject to a 3% increase (subject to rounding).

Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis. Find details on our tuition fees page

If you’re a self-funded international student, you’re required to pay a tuition fee deposit. Find out more about Masters tuition fee deposits

Find out typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

For scholarship opportunities and information on sources of funding please see the advice on funding on the University of Sussex website.

Additional costs for optional fieldwork

You have the option to undertake fieldwork for this course (though it is not mandatory). You will need to cover the additional costs that this entails. Costs will depend on the scope and scale of the activities. For example, conducting interviews in your hometown could cost very little, whereas travelling overseas to interview government officials could cost much more in terms of flights, accommodation and subsistence. There may also be options for desk-based research, such as paying for access to research databases. If you wish to conduct fieldwork, you should always talk to your course convenors and dissertation supervisors before making any arrangements.

Career opportunities

Throughout the course we focus on developing both your academic and practical skills – including analytical, writing and presentation skills. You’ll also gain a thorough understanding of social science research methods and gain independent research skills.

We expect our graduates to become specialists and advisers in food and development issues worldwide, working for: