MA Food Studies

at University of Exeter

This programme will prepare you to understand, critically assess, and practically engage with foodways and food systems.
 

Our core modules provide interdisciplinary perspectives drawing from fields including archaeology, classics, history, anthropology, sociology, geography, and political economy. You will survey the historical development of agriculture and food and develop an understanding of its place in the constitution of social identities and institutions. You will also analyse the workings of mainstream and alternative food systems and food chains as well as studying the challenges and proposed solutions to making foodways and food systems more sustainable.
 

A wide range of optional modules allows you to develop focused expertise in areas such as sustainable food production, health and nutrition, community development, education, or business and social enterprise.
 

An optional placement or internship will afford you the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and to develop networks, while the dissertation will provide you with the chance to acquire expertise in a particular area of study and to develop research and writing skills.
 

The programme is studied over 12 months (full time) or 24 months (part time) and is University-based throughout the period. The programme comprises 180 credits in total: taught modules worth 120 credits in total and a supervised dissertation worth 60 credits. Teaching takes place over two terms (October to May), followed by completion of the dissertation over the summer (June to September). Each taught module spans one term and is normally taught through seminars, underpinned by reading and essay assignments. The taught element consists of core modules, directed options and free options.
 

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Modules:

• 120 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules
• You may choose either the 15 credit or the 30 credit version of each module, you cannot choose both
   

Compulsory modules

• Dissertation in Food Studies
• Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective or
• Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective
• Food, Body and Society or
• Food, Body and Society
• Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks, and Ethical Consumption or
• Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks, and Ethical Consumption
• Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment or
• Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment

We are looking for graduates with a 2:1 or above in their first degree in any social science, humanities or environmental studies. While we normally only accept applicants who meet this criteria, if you have a high 2:2 or equivalent, are coming from a different academic background which is equivalent to degree level, or have relevant work experience, we would welcome your application.
 

Applications from candidates with relevant professional experience and evidence of good research and writing skills will also be considered.
 

Also, as this is a specialist and multi-disciplinary programme, then students who do not meet the general admissions requirements but who have substantial professional or personal experience which is directly related to the programme will be considered. Students who wish to be considered on the basis of professional or personal experience should submit a detailed personal statement outlining their relevant experience. Students who do not fulfil the general admissions requirements may also be required to attend an interview and/or complete an assignment in order to assess their academic ability.

English Language Requirements
 

• IELTS

  Overall score 6.5. No less than 6.0 in any section.
   

• TOEFL

  Overall score 90 with minimum scores of 21 for writing, 21 for listening, 22 for reading and 23 for speaking.

UK fees per year:
£10,000 full-time; £5,000 part-time
 

International fees per year:
£20,500 full-time

Employer valued skills

• Research skills specific to foodways and food systems past and present on an international scale
• Understanding of the economic, political and cultural dynamics of food systems and foodways
• Ability to identify issues and problems faced by a range of stakeholders and the potential consequences of various forms of intervention and transformation
• Researching, analysing and assessing sources of information
• Written and verbal communication skills
• Managing and interpreting information
• Developing ideas and arguments
   

Career paths

Depending upon your interests and career objectives, you may go on to conduct doctoral research, or you may find employment in: food industry or small and medium-sized food businesses and social enterprises; government departments and agencies engaging with agriculture, fisheries, food manufacture, food safety, public health, or culture and heritage; food-focused print, broadcast and new media; or third sector organisations focused on issues such as environmental sustainability, trade policy, food safety, public health, food poverty, or social isolation.