Agriculture for Sustainable Development, MSc

This programme is aimed at students who wish to pursue a career in agriculture and sustainable development in the private sector, research, NGO or government communities. It provides a firm grounding in research methods applicable to the study of sustainable agriculture and the intellectual tools for understanding sustainable agriculture systems. The courses combine theoretical approaches and empirically based learning from case studies of real projects and agricultural scenarios.

Teaching will focus on case studies from NRI's corporate experience of looking at how research into agricultural issues, both in the natural and social sciences, can be translated into knowledge and products that have real impact on increasing the effectiveness of agriculture in delivering food security and enhancing livelihoods for all stakeholders. The potential role of agricultural innovations, both in technology, including biotechnology, knowledge systems, extension services and institutional partnerships in promoting development are also a strong theme in courses.

Aims of the programme

• To understand modern agricultural systems and the associated technologies of production together with their potential impacts on agriculture and livelihoods;
• To understand the social, institutional and economic context within which agriculture operates, and;
• To understand modern agriculture and its role in sustainable development.

School

Natural Resources Institute

Location

Medway Campus

Attendance

1 year full-time
2 years part-time

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have:

An honours degree (at least 2.2 or above)

OR an equivalent professional qualification in an appropriate subject.

• Where English is the second language, an IELTS average score of 6.5 (for each of the four areas) or 7 is required.

Assessment

Assessment consists of a combination of assignments, essays, presentations, reports, portfolios and formal examinations.

Career options

This programme provides specialist expertise for those working or wishing to work in agricultural development or research, or seeking an advanced agricultural or development qualification in the UK and overseas. Students graduate with a broad general knowledge of agricultural applications in sustainable development and also more focused in-depth knowledge of an area of specialisation.

• Research Methods (15 credits)
• Tools for Sustainable Agriculture (15 Credits)
• Integrated Pest Management (30 credits)
• Independent research project dissertation (60 credits)

PLUS 60 credits chosen from:

• Agronomy* (15 credits)
• Agroforestry* (15 credits)
• Economics, Agriculture, and Marketing (15 credits)
• Livestock and Sustainable Agriculture (15 credits)
• Biotechnology and Transgenic Crops (30 credits)
• Plant Disease Management (15 credits)
• Plant Quarantine and Sustainable Resource Management(15 credits)
• Biotechnology and Diagnostic Methods (30 credits)
• Agricultural Innovation for Development (15 credits)
• Soils and Environments (15 credits)

*subject to validation

Your time at university should be enjoyable and rewarding, and it is important that it is not spoilt by unnecessary financial worries. We recommend that you spend time planning your finances, both before coming to university and while you are here. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.

Find out more about our fees and the support available to you at our:

• Postgraduate finance pages
• International students' finance pages