Help create future sustainable perspectives on food by learning about the relation between food, people and places.
Programme information
Welcome to a Master’s programme that gives you in-depth knowledge about customer-producer relationships, where food comes from and how it is a part of our culture. Covering topics such as how urban and rural landscapes can be planned, designed and maintained from a sustainability perspective regarding the consumption and production of food, this programme is perfect if you would like to work as a strategist in food or food and sustainability.
Your fellow students on this interdisciplinary programme will have a background from a variety of different domains from all over the world. You will have the opportunity to create your own profile by taking courses from other SLU programmes and higher education institutions in Sweden and abroad.
With a Master’s degree with a major in food studies you will have a broad understanding of the entire food and landscape chain and have sufficient tools in strategic planning, communication and advocacy for sustainable development to be employable both nationally and internationally. You will also be able to continue your studies towards a PhD.
Facts and requirements
Name:Food and Landscape - Master’s programme
Level:Master
Language:English
Programme scope:2.0 year , 120.0 credits
Next start:HT 2026
Tuition Fees:Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland are required to pay application and tuition fees.
First semester:72000
First semester half time:72000
Total:SEK 288000
Application deadline for international students:2026-01-15
Application deadline for Swedish students:2026-04-15
Study location:Alnarp
Pace of study:Full-time
Teaching form:On-campus
Application code for Swedish students:81197
Application code for international students:81198
Requirements:
To be admitted to the Master’s programme in Food and Landscape, the following criteria must be met:
• general entry requirements: first-cycle qualification comprising at least 180 credits or a corresponding qualification from abroad.
• specific entry requirements: specialisation comprising 90 credits in one of the following subjects/disciplinary domains:
natural sciences
social sciences
humanities
technology
food and meal science.
The specific entry requirements can also be met by someone who has acquired the equivalent knowledge through a corresponding qualification from abroad or in some other way.
In addition, knowledge equivalent of English 6 is required. SLU regulations state that applicants may meet this requirement if they were awarded a first-cycle degree from a Swedish university, or have completed 120 credits at SLU.
There are specific entry requirements for each course included in the programme.
Degree:
Degree awarded upon completion of the programme
The Master’s programme in Food and Landscape leads to the Degree of Master of Science with Food Studies as the main field of study. Other qualifications may be awarded if the necessary requirements are fulfilled. See the SLU System of Qualifications.
Upon request, degree certificates will be provided to students who successfully complete the Degree of Master of Science (120 credits). This certificate will specify the qualification as Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with Food Studies as the main field of study.
Degree requirements
A Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Food Studies is awarded to students who have successfully completed 120 credits from the required courses as follows:
- A minimum of 30 credits from courses with specialised study in food studies (A1N, A1F).
- A minimum of 30 credits from a degree project in food studies (A2E).
A maximum of 30 credits from first-cycle courses may be included, provided these credits were not included in a qualifying Degree of Bachelor, or equivalent.
There is additional requirement of a completed Degree of Bachelor, professional degree comprising a minimum of 180 credits, or a corresponding qualification from abroad.
Admission: There are two admission rounds for this Master's programme. The first admission round is open to all international applicants at www.universityadmissions.se. SLU strongly encourage all international students to apply in this first admission round.
Content
This cross-disciplinary Master’s programme covers the relationships between food, people and places as well as how urban and rural landscapes can be planned, designed and maintained from a sustainability perspective regarding the consumption and production of food.
The programme combines the cross-disciplinary, synthesising and place-related approach of landscape architecture with the understanding of the role of food from a broad cultural and critical perspective that characterises food studies as a discipline.
Students on the programme will have the opportunity to learn about the tools and methods for strategic planning, design, entrepreneurship, management and communication centred on the food landscape as a part of sustainable development, covering all aspects, from local to global.
The programme also includes learning how to communicate knowledge about how different types of production contribute to the added value of landscapes, using the broad competence available at SLU as a basis. The purpose is to take a holistic approach to the relation between food, people and the landscape and relate these aspects to the UN’s sustainable development goals.
During the first year, students acquire knowledge about the scientific scope that characterises the interface between landscape studies and the international, multidisciplinary subject food studies.
The programme starts with an introductory course to establish a knowledge base and an understanding of the relationships between landscape, food and people – food culture – and how this may be used in sustainable planning. The course comprises thematic weeks providing an overview of relevant themes such as meal history in parallel with landscape history, urban-rural relations and added values linked to food production.
This is followed by courses where students specialise in production systems, agroecology, financial incentives, consumer behaviour and bases for planning as well as urban cultivation for social and other values.
In the second year, students will address problematisation in a globally focused course. This is followed by an applied project group task, applying method studies and strategic solutions to food and landscape-related challenges.
The programme concludes with a degree project which can consist of either cross-disciplinarily applied case studies or deepened theoretical studies in a food or landscape-related subject.
The courses utilise several teaching methods to promote student learning and creativity and equip students with tools for future professional situations. Methods include lectures, literature reviews, seminars, study visits, excursions, case studies, project work, design proposals, academic papers and a degree project. Models and methods that support knowledge acquisition are applied in practical course components reflecting different situations and are followed up by critical analysis and evaluation.
Upon completion of the programme, students will have developed skills in collaboration, method choice and oral, written and visual communication. They will have a holistic view and be able to predict development to take on a project management role either individually or in large contexts.
This Master’s programme has clear links to current research and global issues, making graduates employable both nationally and internationally.
During their studies, students have the option of taking courses from other SLU degree programmes and other higher education institutions in Sweden and abroad.
The programme is taught in English.
Welcome to SLU Campus Alnarp
SLU’s Alnarp campus is situated in a large park by the sea, located west of Lund, north of Malmö and east of Copenhagen. This prime location makes Alnarp a gateway to the rest of Europe. Here, students can participate in numerous academic, social, and sporting activities, as well as relax in the countryside and enjoy the vibrant metropolitan nightlife.
Career
After graduation, students can work as strategists in food or food and sustainability, tourism and marketing developers, entrepreneurs in gastronomy and the food sector and project managers. It is possible to work within production, food companies and trade, communication, education, and research.
Degree awarded
Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a Major in Food Studies.
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