Food Policy MSc

Course overview

The key purpose of this programme is to give you a strong and critical grasp of both the theoretical and empirical aspects of food policy. You will gain an in-depth knowledge and a good understanding of the breadth of food policy in the United Kingdom within a European and international context. You will learn how to conduct critical analysis of public policy and how to apply these skills in the workplace and the community.

Food policy sits at the intersection of many other disciplines and the philosophy built into the programme is one that will encourage you to read widely and think comprehensively. Its scope is the entire food system, from agriculture and its inputs to consumption. You will be asked to take a panoramic view of all constituent sectors traditionally kept separate in academic treatments. We are as interested in agriculture and food processing as retailing and catering. We juxtapose production with consumption, social and cultural matters with public and environmental health.

Often decisions about food are taken in one sector that has an impact on another. When the Chief Medical Officer gave advice, for example, to peel carrots to reduce risk from pesticide residues, does this undermine health promotion advice to eat more vegetables?

The programme has a strong commitment to social justice and sustainability. By being designed to appeal to people from a wide range of backgrounds and work, we anticipate that the programme will give a comprehensive overview of the food system and its dynamics. You will be encouraged to take a critical perspective.

The MSc can be studied full time, part time, or by distance learning.

Who is this for?

The degree is suitable for people in a wide and varied range of professions:

• Environmental Health
• Trading Standards
• Local or Central Government
• The Civil Service
• Non-Governmental Organisations
• Food Manufacturing
• Retail or Catering.

It is also appropriate if you are a dietician or nutritionist looking to expand your knowledge of food policy, or if you hope to return to work following a career break or just want to enhance your personal understanding of food policy.

The programme is also suitable for overseas students that are looking to develop their knowledge of food policy in the UK, Europe and Internationally.

Career opportunities

The programme will prepare you for policy and management roles in a wide range of food policy related sectors.

Course content

Themes

Throughout the programme you will encounter some key themes that will recur within and across modules, providing an intellectual continuity and progression through the programme.

These themes include:

• Debates over the role of the state
• Food policy as a contested space
• Who, and what, are the social forces from whose conflict food policy emerges
• The trends in the international food economy upon food production, distribution, consumption and decision-making
• Social exclusion and fragmentation
• The social construction of food
• Consumer responses to and involvement in policy making
• Food choice and behaviour
• The application of research methods and methodologies to food policy.

Modules

Food and Public Policy

This module introduces public policy contours, the institutions and participants, and the dynamics of food policy in the UK, European Union and at international levels. It provides you with the opportunity to reflect upon the scope and foci of food policy, and to write a policy analysis report of an issue of contemporary salience.

The Political Economy of Food

This module looks at theoretical attempts to understand the impact of key political, economic and social dynamics upon the food system, the multi-level governance of food, and how to apply this understanding to a case study of a selected agri-food commodity. The assessment promotes greater independence of choice in topic selection, and in searching for and assembling evidence.

Food Culture and Society

This module draws from social science, public health, and epidemiological and anthropological studies to help identify key theories and models used to explain predicted food choice and consumption. The assessment is based on a work related example informed by theoretical models around food choice, to influence policy development. It requires further desk-top search skills, and allows you to develop more independence in the learning process.

Food, Public Health and the Environment

This module seeks to integrate public health and environmental impact and protection in the analysis of food policy. The assessment involves an integrated health and environmental impact assessment, progressing further your own skills in choosing the assignment topic and designing and collating the evidence base for the assessment.

Dissertation

A degree of optionality is offered within the framework of the assessment process where you will be allowed to choose your specific assignment topic within the context of a particular assessment. The dissertation provides the opportunity for a detailed examination of a research question of relevance to food policy.

When you have successfully completed the modules plus a dissertation you will qualify for a full Master’s Degree. Alternatively complete just the modules and you will be eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching is delivered by a specialist academic food policy team with an excellent track record. They have worked widely across food and public health, as academics as well as in the voluntary sector and with national and international bodies.

They are all actively involved in policy-making on a global and European basis, sitting on boards and commissions, as well as being widely published. You can view their profiles research and policy activity at www.city.ac.uk/foodpolicy/staff

Full and part time attendance

Teaching is delivered through lecture sessions, workshops, small group activities and discussions, and whole-class discussions. The lectures are supplemented by occasional guest speakers from the world of food policy. We encourage you to contribute your own experiences and perspectives on the issues under discussion.

Distance learning

Teaching is delivered through text-based learning packages (workbooks) with subject-specific tutor support. The learning packages are intended to engage you in active learning through a number of activities and exercises with accompanying commentaries.

Assessment methods

Modules are assessed through course work. The research methods are assessed by means of the dissertation proposal.

Selection policy

Entry requirements

• Second class honours degree or equivalent
• Background or interest in a food related area of employment or study.
  

For those students whose first language is not English one of the following qualifications is also required:

• IELTS: 7
• TOEFL (internet-based): 107

Professional placement and study abroad

Fees & bursaries

Additional information

About Food Policy at City

At City University London, the Centre for Food Policy provides teaching, research and consultancy on food policy as it relates to every stage of the food supply chain. Our remit is wide and varied, and takes in everything from farm to fork. We explore the impact of food policy on human and public health, the environment, social justice and public well-being. And we examine how public policy affects food - what people eat, how it is grown, processed, distributed and consumed.

Our academics research and write about food policy to promote a better understanding of food policy within both public and academic life.

The MSc in Food Policy is the first of its kind anywhere in the world. Our reputation extends beyond academia to international bodies, including European Union institutions and agencies, and the UK government and its departments. We also work closely with non-departmental bodies, regional agencies and local governments as well as a wide variety of NGOs.