Food and Landscape MSc with a major in Food Studies

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.

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.

Visit the student pages to find out more and read the syllabus.

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.