Our Master's programme will equip you with the specialist skills and knowledge to engage with one of the most significant challenges currently facing a growing human population: making and supplying enough food for all to sustain an active healthy lifestyle.
Our Master's in Food Security (Distance Learning) is a distance learning programme designed for people with an interest in the global food system and for professionals in the food supply industry. This exciting course explores important issues related to food security, focusing on production, distribution, and waste.
The course is highly flexible so that you can fit study around your day job. Teaching is done largely online; all materials are supplied and you can work through them at your own pace. You will also have the opportunity to meet tutors and fellow students at short workshops during the year.
To gain an MSc you need to complete eight modules, and a significant dissertation project. The programme starts with an introductory module every October, which covers a broad range of issues related to food security. After that, you will develop a breadth of knowledge and depth of expertise by studying an additional seven modules. These modules cover a range of topics and will allow you to develop specialist knowledge of the factors impacting upon food security and environmental effects on food production.
Alongside topics such as crop production science and ethical food systems, you will take study skills modules such as a literature review. These will introduce you to a higher level of research skills which are essential to your dissertation project and when exploring new opportunities within your career.
Finally, you will cement your learning and put theory into practice in a major research project. Your dissertation will be guided by a supervisor from Lancaster and will normally be undertaken with an industry partner. This module will develop a range of transferable, highly employable skills. You will enhance your planning and written presentation skills, learn to concisely and effectively communicate complex concepts and ideas, as well as learn to handle and present quantitative and qualitative information and data.
Undertaking these modules and research project will ensure you have the breadth and depth of knowledge required to support your career. Upon graduation, you will have a range of specialist skills, advanced knowledge, and experience, allowing you to engage with and tackle the food challenges of the 21st century. By completing the programme, you will be equipped to make informed decisions, progress in your career, affect change in culture and best practice, or continue into PhD study and research.
If you enrol at MSc level you may exit early with an interim award at PGCert or PGDip level.
Micha Stuart and Prerana Dhakhwa talk about why they came to Lancaster to study for a Master's degree. Micha is on the MSc Volcanology and Geological Hazards and Prerana is studying MSc Sustainable Water Management.
"The idea of the programme won me immediately. But as soon as I met the team, I’ve realised how fortunate I am to take this incredible journey with Lancaster University. The staff at Lancaster was brilliant from the beginning to the end. Extremely supportive, professional and inspirational. Words cannot explain how grateful I am to all of the staff involved."
2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Biological Sciences, Ecology, Agriculture, Soil Sciences, Geography or a similar degree. An undergraduate degree is not a prerequisite for practitioners working in the food supply chain as we recognise prior learning and experience.
We may also consider non-standard applicants, please contact us for information.
If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.
We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.
We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.
Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.
Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.
This module provides a grounding in statistics and data analysis for non-mathematicians, by starting with the basics then developing the skills required to successfully analyse data generated through dissertation projects.
Students will familiarise themselves with the open-source statistical package 'R' for analysis. The materials covered include describing data, producing figures, comparing differences between groups, correlation and associations, regression analysis and experimental design.
The module also provides a brief overview of methods beyond the module to provide awareness and a direction for further progress.
*This is a distance learning module and not taught on Campus*
Students will plan, execute and present the findings of a Master's level research project within the area of food security. They are expected to undertake this project with their employer or an associated company. The content will vary depending upon the specialisation of the project.
The emphasis is on applying skills learnt during the course. This will require students to self-manage their project; to effectively present data using flow diagrams, graphs and tables, and statistical analysis to enhance the communication of quantitative and/or qualitative data. These skills will allow them to integrate information to deliver technically sound solutions to various problems regarding food security.
This module will teach the use of standard project management tools to deliver predetermined goals effectively and on time. This will be done via planning a food security research schedule and (where necessary) aligning it with a student’s current employment duties.
The student will be introduced to key aspects of the food security challenge. They will explore the many factors that combine to impact food availability and the access that people have to food. In particular, they will study themes of food production, distribution and waste. Additionally, consideration is given to the environmental effects on food production and students will explore how we can work to make more food available in an environmentally responsible fashion.
Throughout the module, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the global food system and its component parts, understand the potentially conflicting impacts of making changes. On completion of the module, students will be able to participate in an informed manner in discussions/debates on food system issues; be able to raise the profile of issues within food chain companies; and increase the chances of changing food practices for the better.
*This is a distance learning module and not taught on Campus*
The literature review is a substantial written piece of work. The specific subject will depend on the area in which the literature review is to be undertaken, but is expected to be on a topic of relevance to food security.
The scope of the review will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the student consulting with their academic supervisor, who will be appointed according to their specific expertise. In addition to this, two short pieces of coursework are designed to ensure that all students have a minimum level of proficiency to allow them to be able to undertake a literature review.
Students will be equipped with the skills to synthesise and analyse information from a wide variety of sources, structure this information, and express it in a coherent form. Each student will read widely within an appropriately defined topic area/research question, and accurately reference various information sources whilst avoiding plagiarism. This will require the use of database searching techniques to acquire relevant reference sources.
*This is a distance learning module and not taught on Campus*
This module will introduce students to the key factors impacting the growth and yield of a range of key crops. Studying this module will help students to appreciate the science behind vegetative growth, photosynthesis and production, to inform best practice across the different components of a supply chain. Students will also benefit from insight and knowledge from leading producers of these crops and scientists from a range of research institutions.
The module focuses on the plant biology that is crucial in the regulation of plant growth, development and yielding. Students will learn the basic principles to enable them to intervene in the production process, to address the challenge of providing more good-quality, safe and nutritious food.
*This is a distance learning module and not taught on Campus*
This module examines a range of environmental stresses that crops are likely to encounter and explores the ‘yield gap’ between predictions for agricultural systems and farmers’ actual yield. Students will consider the mechanisms by which these stresses impact plant growth, development and yield.
This will serve as a basis for understanding how to overcome these negative impacts by intervening genetically, or by changing the environment by modifying crop management. As a result, students will learn about crop management solutions, and the techniques by which crop genotype can be altered through plant breeding, genetic modification and/or grafting.
Students will also look at current information on the magnitude of the challenges faced and adaptations that minimise the impacts of environmental stress, provided by leading scientists from a range of research institutions, along with growers of selected crops.
*This is a distance learning module and not taught on Campus*
This module examines how plants deal with biotic stress inflicted by pests and pathogens, how such pests affect crop yield, and current and future possible control mechanisms. Students will examine a range of ideas and develop a wide knowledge of the subject, within three key topics: pests and pathogens, plant resistance, and pest detection and control.
They will discuss different strategies used by pests and pathogens to attack plants, and the use of constitutive and induced defence by plants. In addition, students will become familiar with the regulatory environment. The research and analytical skills gained throughout this module are used to examine a range of approaches to control pests and disease. Students will also gain detailed, specialist knowledge, such as how to differentiate between crop protection strategies that directly target the pest and those that enhance natural biological mechanisms for pest control.
*This is a distance learning module and not taught on Campus*
Soils are fundamental to our very existence, as a vital medium for food growth and a regulator of water quality and climate. Exploring concepts within three core topics – principles of soil science, soil biology, and soil management and global change – students learn about the importance and functions of a healthy soil system.
They will develop knowledge of soil nutrient cycling, biodiversity, and water and carbon cycling processes. In addition, students will explore the issues and mitigation options related to soil compaction, erosion and water quality, and the challenges and threats faced by soils in the light of global change.
*This is a distance learning module and not taught on Campus*
For full-time study, fees are charged for the whole programme at the start of the academic year. Standard-taught modules are 15 credits, the dissertation module is 60 credits.
Costs in respect of travel, accommodation and food for the residential school element are additional.
Applicants connected to the Waitrose UK supply chain should contact us for further details.
There are three programmes available. If you initially apply at MSc level you may exit early with an interim award at PG Cert or PGDip level.
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2023 and 2024, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Fees for students starting in 2025 have not yet been set.
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
For most taught postgraduate applications there is a non-refundable application fee of £40. We cannot consider applications until this fee has been paid, as advised on our online secure payment system. There is no application fee for postgraduate research applications.
For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, the tuition fees for subsequent years of your programme are likely to increase each year. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.
Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.
If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.
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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.
Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.
A number of our programmes offer bursaries for excellent students applying for specific degree schemes. These bursaries include the Heatherlea and Peter John Vincent prizes.
LEC BursariesThe government offers a number of loans to UK and some EU national students wishing to study for a Master's degree.
Master's Loan
You will find yourself taking advantage of several laboratory facilities at Lancaster Environment Centre. There are our £4.4 million Teaching Labs, for example, as well as specialist facilities for Environmental Chemistry, Noble Gas, and Plant and Soil Ecology.
There are no fewer than 15 purpose-built glasshouse modules, 16 controlled environment plant growth rooms, 4 solar domes based at the Hazelrigg Weather Station and a suite of ultraviolet radiation research facilities that can truly claim to be world-class.
You could find yourself working at a range of catchment science sites across England and Wales, including the local River Eden Valley, or they can travel much further afield to the tropical forests of the Amazon and Borneo.
You can be trained to use a range of equipment, such as our Stable Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer Facility, X-ray CT Scanner, Magnetometer or the LI-COR Portable Photosynthesis System, which has the capacity to measure plant gas exchange with exceptional speed and precision.
Dedicated support staff with expertise in GIS, statistics, modelling, information technology and programming are available to provide specialist training in all aspects of data acquisition, processing and analysis.
The information on this site relates primarily to 2024/2025 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
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