In addition to co-convening the MA Food and Development, Lídia is an IDS Research Fellow and Rural Futures Cluster Lead. She is a social scientist with training in development economics, social policy and development studies.
Food is a cross-cutting development issue that concerns hunger, food insecurity, malnutrition, environment sustainability, power, politics, social justice and cultural identity. It is about the global and the local and the hard trade-offs that the globalisation era has brought about.
The MA Food Systems and Sustainable Development draws on wide-ranging expertise of faculty at both IDS and the School of Global Studies at the University of Sussex (where you will be based). You will gain an advanced understanding of the complex relationship between food and development. You will build your analytical and practical skills, improving your ability to engage critically with issues such as:
Our faculty have extensive knowledge and direct field experience. And our guest speakers – from government bodies, international organisations, NGOs, and local food networks and movements – introduce you to contemporary policy debates and practices.
Students on this MA will have the opportunity to apply for a small number of guaranteed placements with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome.
The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) delivers world-class research, learning and teaching that transforms the knowledge, action and leadership needed for more equitable and sustainable development globally. IDS has been ranked first in the world for development studies, in partnership with the University of Sussex, for the last ten years. The School of Global Studies is world leading in the field of development studies and offers the opportunity to learn from critical and engaged academics who are making a difference to global communities through research, teaching and activism.
We welcome applicants with a broad range of career trajectories. Successful applicants will typically have at least one year’s practical experience in development alongside an interest in critical academic enquiry. Previous experience and engagement with issues relating to food in development (e.g. food security, nutrition, food systems, food policy and regulation, food rights or food sovereignty) is an advantage.
The academic year starts in September and has three terms.
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
In the summer term, you will research and write a 10,000-word dissertation under the supervision of a faculty member, or undertake a dissertation with placement (for at least six weeks but longer stays are permitted if writing time is considered).
On this MA you will have the opportunity to apply for a small number of guaranteed self-funded placements with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome. If your application is successful, you will support the work of the World Food Forum Youth Assembly, which takes place every year in October. You will be expected to focus your dissertation on one of the Assembly’s thematic areas.
You can also find a placement yourself at other organisations that are linked with your dissertation topic. Undertaking a placement enables you to volunteer with an organisation while also conducting primary research for your dissertation. It’s an excellent way to gain practical, hands-on experience in your chosen field of study.
The links below will take you to the University of Sussex’s website to find out more about each module.
To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. Research placements run for up to 12 weeks in the summer term and vacation. You can also write your dissertation based on your experience. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can help you:
Find out more about Global Studies postgraduate placements
Please note: If you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t undertake your placement/internship in the USA. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid
Evelyn Djuwidja studied a master’s degree in Food and Development at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) from 2019 to 2020. In this short video clip she tells us what brought her to IDS and what it’s like studying here.
You should normally have an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree or above. Your qualification should be in the natural or social sciences. Your qualification should be in a social or natural science but if you do not meet the academic requirements or have other degrees you will also be considered if you can show evidence of relevant work or voluntary experience. You must write a detailed two-page personal statement, explaining why you are applying for the degree and the relevance of your previous experience.
The course is taught in English. To derive the maximum benefit from the course, participants should be proficient in English and able to take an active part in discussions. The minimum requirement is, for example, an IELTS grade of 6.5 overall and no less than 6.0 in each section of the IELTS test. For detailed information on English language requirements for international students please see the University of Sussex website.
We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described here. However, we may need to make changes due to significant disruption.