Program Overview

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MA Food Studies

Overview

We’ll prepare you to understand, critically assess and practically engage with foodways and food systems in industrialised and non-industrialised societies.

Our core modules provide interdisciplinary perspectives drawing from fields such as archaeology, classics, history, anthropology, sociology, geography, political economy, business and the life sciences.

Optional modules allow you to develop focused expertise in areas such as sustainable food production, health and nutrition, community development, education, or business and social enterprise or to prepare for further research by studying theory and methods in a range of disciplines.

Optional programme pathways will allow you to specialise in either Food, Society and Culture , or Food Systems and Sustainability.

You can choose to undertake a placement or internship to gain valuable experience and develop professional networks.

Entry Requirements

We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above in any social science*, humanities or environmental studies. Applications from candidates with relevant professional experience and evidence of good research and writing skills will also be considered.

*Accepted social science subjects include:

• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Area and Development Studies
• Criminology
• Demography
• Development Studies
• Economics
• Economic and Social History
• Education
• Environmental Planning
• Human Geography
• International Relations
• Law
• Linguistics
• Management and Business Studies
• Media and Communication Studies
• Philosophy
• Politics and International Studies
• Psychology
• Science and Technology Studies
• Social Policy
• Social Statistics, Methods, and Computing
• Social Work
• Socio Legal Studies
• Sociology

Also, as this is a specialist and multi-disciplinary programme, 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.

Entry Requirements for International Students

Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.

Course Content

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.

Modules

Compulsory Modules

• SSIM909: Dissertation in Food Studies (60 credits)
• HASM022: Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective (15 credits)
• HASM028: Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective (30 credits)
• ANTM021: Food, Body and Society (15 credits)
• SOCM022: Food, Body and Society (30 credits)
• SOCM054: Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks, and Ethical Consumption (15 credits)
• SOCM021: Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks and Ethical Consumption (30 credits)
• SOCM044: Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment (15 credits)
• SOCM045: Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment (30 credits)

Optional Modules

• ANTM003: Theory and Methods of Food Preservation (15 credits)
• ANTM006: Gardening, Wellbeing and Community (15 credits)
• ARCM120: Themes in Archaeological Theory and Practice (15 credits)
• ARCM130: Discovering the Past with Molecular Science (15 credits)
• ARCM403: Advanced Zooarchaeology (15 credits)
• ARCM407: Zooarchaeology (15 credits)
• BEMM487: Entrepreneurship: Venture Launch (30 credits)
• BIOM568: Blue Planet (15 credits)
• CTHM007: Research Skills in Classics, Ancient History and Theology (30 credits)
• GEOM143: Global Systems Thinking (15 credits)
• GEOM145: Theory for Sustainable Transitions (15 credits)
• GEOM407: Perspectives on Sustainable Development (15 credits)
• HPDM027: Contemporary Environment and Human Health (15 credits)
• HPDM122: Planetary Health (15 credits)
• SOCM019: Research Methods in the Social Sciences (15 credits)
• SOCM023: Social Theory (15 credits)
• SOCM052: Cultures and Environments of Health (30 credits)
• SSIM908: Directed Practical Study: Agriculture and Food (30 credits)
• HPDM205: Public Health Nutrition (15 credits)
• GEOM149: Green Planet (15 credits)

Pathways

Our flexible programme enables you to choose either a specific pathway or a selection of modules, which might be at a much later date than date of entry to the MA Food Studies. All students graduate with a Masters in Food Studies, but if you elect to specialise, you will have one of the following pathways named in your degree title:

Food, Society and Culture (MA)

This pathway allows you to focus study on the social, cultural and historical dimensions of food and foodways. Modules fulfilling compulsory requirements must include: either the 15 or 30 credit version of Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective; and either the 15 or 30 credit version of Food, Body and Society. Your dissertation will also focus on a theme in the area of Food, Society and Culture.

Food Systems and Sustainability (MA)

This pathway allows you to focus study on food systems, alternative food networks and sustainability. Modules fulfilling compulsory requirements must include: either the 15 or 30 credit version of Food System, Alternative Food Networks and Ethical Consumption; and either the 15 or 30 credit version of Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment. Your dissertation will also focus on a theme in the area of Food Systems and Sustainability.

Fees

2025/26 entry

UK fees per year:

£ 12,500 full-time; £6,250 part-time

International fees per year:

£ 25,300 full-time; £12,650 part-time

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship

We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone taught Masters degree (eg MA, MSc, MRes, MFA, LLM, PGCert, PGDip) or research degree (eg MPhil, PhD) with us a scholarship towards the cost of their tuition fees. These scholarships are worth 20% of the first year tuition fee for students enrolling on a postgraduate taught or research programme of study in 2025/26. Full details can be found here.

Teaching and Research

Core teaching takes place over the first two terms, leaving the third for your dissertation. Research-centred teaching is at the heart of the programme. Teaching is done in small seminar groups, through individual presentations and round table discussions of common readings. Some optional modules include practical work combined with reading.

Students have the opportunity to engage in a substantial piece of research into a topic of their choosing through the dissertation module. You will be assessed through coursework which will vary depending on the modules you choose, as well as the completion of a dissertation.

Careers

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.

Career Support

The College's Employability Officer works with our central Career Zone team to give you access to a wealth of business contacts, support and training, as well as the opportunity to meet potential employers at our regular Careers Fairs.