Food and Rural Development Research MSc

The Food and Rural Development Research MSc is designed to provide high quality training for those interested in a research career focusing on food social science, rural development and rural sociology. The research focus makes the course ideal if you are interested in gaining a Master's qualification and then continuing on to a PhD.

We provide research training and skills development specifically related to conducting research into rural areas, the environment and food markets. We are recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as providing a 1+3 programme, which is a four year award with a research training Master's in the first year followed by a PhD through the Northern Ireland and North East ‘NINE’ Doctoral Training Partnership.

Through studying on our course you will:

• identify your own research topic
• specialise and develop skills specific to your research
• learn research practice fundamentals
• understand research principles, data handling and analysis

You take compulsory modules and optional modules, and complete a dissertation, which could be a desk-based analysis, or a study involving fieldwork or case studies.