Information for applicants and offer holders to the MSc Food Security. On this page, you will find information on how to set up a meeting request with Dr. Montse Costa Font, upcoming event information, and further information about your chosen degree. MSc Food Security Our interdisciplinary MSc will provide you with knowledge and problem-solving skills on the broad topic of food security. You will receive training in quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques to help you understand and measure the effect of the drivers of food insecurity, and provide solutions. Meet your Programme Directors Dr. Montse Costa FontThe Programme Director and Cohort Lead for MSc Food Security is Montse Costa Font. Montse is an applied economist and her research interests are at the intersection of food economics, behavioural science and environmental policy. Currently, she is working on several projects examining food supply organisation, market structure analysis, and new product development. She is also working on the environmental effects of food production, sensory issues on consumers' purchases and health effects of food choices. Montse's background is in Agricultural Economics and Environmental Policy and she has been teaching and researching the food supply chain field for around 15 years. Montse will coordinate your first core course, "Frameworks to assess Food Security", and she is fascinated to supervise students looking at various aspects of the food supply chains worldwide. In her free time, she loves cooking and discovering healthy and sustainable food recipes. She also loves to walk around the pretty Scottish landscapes. Book a one-to-one meeting with your Programme Director Connect directly with your Programme Director, Dr. Montse Costa Font, to ask further questions, get tailored advice, and explore what your degree could look like. Dr. Faical AkaichiThe Deputy Programme Director for the programme is Faical Akaichi. Faical is an applied economist with a specialisation in behavioural economics, food marketing and econometrics.His research aims to further the understanding of individuals’ behaviour and its determining factors and how policy can best make use of this understanding to promote more sustainable and healthier food production and consumption.Whereas some of this work encompasses qualitative methods, the main thrust has been towards quantitative methods.Faical is also a lecturer and a frequent dissertation supervisor for the programme. In his spare time, Faical is a keen runner and hiker. Upcoming events Sign up to the events below for further information about your chosen degree. EventDateTimeBooking LinkMSc Food Security Information SessionWednesday 25 February, 202614:00 - 15:00 GMTBook SessionPostgraduate Student Q&A SessionThursday 07 May, 202617:00 - 18:00 BSTBook Session Previous recorded events Introduction to MSc Food SecurityThis event was recorded in November 2025, during Postgraduate Virtual Open Week. Pre-arrival reading list Before you arrive with us, take a look at the suggested pre-arrival reading for your programme. This includes online resources and book recommendations provided by your Programme Director. View pre-arrival reading list Why choose the University of Edinburgh? In-depth trainingA large part of this programme is understanding how policy interacts with aspects of food security, helping you to better understand and analyse food security at local and global levels. Real-world relevanceThe programme strongly aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2, "End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture". DiversityWe welcome students from a wide range of backgrounds, from agricultural and environmental science to economic or political science, allowing you to benefit from a diverse set of insights and perspectives. Renowned expertsCourses are delivered by lecturers who are active researchers and experts in food security-related fields (for example, the sciences of crop and animal production, food supply chains, and food policy.) Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) The MSc Ecological Economics is delivered in collaboration with Scotland's Rural College (SRUC). You will benefit from being a fully enrolled student at the University of Edinburgh, as well as access to all of the complementary staff, expertise, and resources at SRUC. Upon successful completion of your MSc, you will be awarded your degree by the University of Edinburgh. Why you should study MSc Food Security More information about your degree Compulsory and optional courses Please note, Degree Programme Tables will be updated in April, 2026. Please use the current edition as an example, only. Degree breakdown The future of your subject Population growth, development, climate change, technology, migration, conflicts, recently Covid-19 and many other elements are generating high pressure on the food system.There is an urgent need to understand how food production and consumption are changing and what their effects are.Furthermore, we must explore the possibilities to reach a more sustainable food system for all. Hear from our students Our postgraduate students share their experiences of life during university and after on our blog and through alumni profiles. GeoSciences blog Alumni profiles The theoretical knowledge I gained in lectures seamlessly translated into practical understanding during field visits, and the connections I made with fellow students and industry professionals have created an invaluable network for my future career. This programme has perfectly prepared me for a career in food security research by combining cutting-edge science with hands-on global perspectives on sustainable food systems. Rakshanda Uikey MSc Food Security, graduated 2025 Featured scholarships School of GeoSciences scholarshipsSee potential funding for GeoSciences studentsScholarships and student fundingYou can find funding opportunities, tuition fees and costs of living for prospective UK and international postgraduate students on the University website.Postgraduate scholarships and student fundingYou are also encouraged to undertake your own research into the range of potential scholarships and other funding outside the University for which you may be eligible.Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) alumni discountThe SRUC alumni discount aims to encourage SRUC graduates to take up opportunities to study taught masters (MSc). SRUC may provide a financial contribution towards tuition fees for eligible applicants for SRUC programmes delivered in conjunction with the University of Edinburgh.Visit the SRUC website Back to Applicant Hub This article was published on 2026-01-14
