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 year, 120 credits
Next start:Autumn semester 2025
Tuition Fees:Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland are required to pay application and tuition fees.
First semester:SEK 70500
Total:SEK 282000
Application deadline for international students:2025-01-15
Application deadline for Swedish students:2025-04-15
Study location:Alnarp
Pace of study:Full-time
Teaching form:On-campus
Application code for Swedish students:81155
Application code for international students:81146
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.
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.
Programme Code: LM013
Finalized by: PN-LT, 2023-12-06 Revised: 2023-12-06 Revised By: Programnämnden för utbildning inom landskap och trädgård SLU ID: SLU.ltv.2023.3.1.1-764 Education plan valid from: Autumn 2024 Responsible programme board: The programme board for education in landscape and horticulture
Entry 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.
Content
Programme description
This cross-disciplinary Master’s programme addresses the relationship between food, people and places, and how urban and rural landscapes can be planned, designed and maintained from a sustainability perspective regarding the consumption and production of food. The programme applies the cross-disciplinary, synthesising and place-related approach of landscape architecture to the understanding of the role of food from a broad cultural and critical perspective. Students will have the opportunity to acquire the tools and methods for strategic planning, design, entrepreneurship, management and communication centred on both the local and global aspects of the food landscape as a part of sustainable development. Furthermore, students will learn how to communicate knowledge about how different types of production contribute to the benefit of landscapes, drawing on the wide range of skills at SLU. The programme encourages a holistic approach to the relationship between food, people and landscape, relating these aspects to the UN’s sustainable development goals.
During the first year, students acquire knowledge about the scientific scope characteristic of the interface between landscape studies and the international, multidisciplinary subject of food studies. The programme begins with the course Foodscapes 1, Food Studies and Landscape. This is an introductory course, enabling students to establish a knowledge base and understanding of the relationships between landscape, food, people and food culture, and how these areas can be implemented into sustainable planning. The course comprises thematic weeks that provide an overview of relevant themes such as meal history, in parallel with landscape history, urban-rural relations and the benefits linked to food production. Students then take courses where they can specialise in production systems, agroecology, financial incentives, consumer behaviour and planning bases as well as urban cultivation for social and other values. In the second year, students take the course Foodscapes 2, Critical Food Studies. This course has a global focus and students continue to problematise key topics. This is followed by an applied project task in groups, with method studies and applying strategic solutions to food and landscape-related challenges. The programme concludes with a degree project, which comprises either cross-disciplinarily applied case studies or deepened theoretical studies of a food and landscape-related subject.
Courses use different modes of instruction to promote student learning and creativity and provide students with the tools for future professional situations. Typically, courses involve 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 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 larger 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 other at SLU and other higher education institutions in Sweden and abroad.
The programme is taught in English.
Courses on the programme
Main fields of study: FS = Food Studies LK = Landscape architecture LB = Agricultural science BI = Biological sciences TD = Horticultural science
Year 1 Foodscapes 1, 15 credits, FS/LK, A1N Agroecology and Sustainability of Food Production Systems, 15 credits, LB/BI, A1N Food Planning, 15 credits, FS/LK, A1N Urban Agriculture and Social Interaction, 15 credits, LK/TD, G2F
The courses offered may change during the course of the programme. Decisions on the courses offered are taken well in advance of the next academic year.
For each course on the programme, there is a course syllabus which specifies the details of the course. Information on when courses are offered is available on the SLU student web.
Objectives
General objectives
The general learning outcomes for first- and second-cycle courses and programmes are specified in the Higher Education Act (Chapter 1, Sections 8–9).
Qualitative targets
The Annex to the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences stipulates that for the Degree of Master, the student shall have:
Knowledge and understanding
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall have:
- demonstrated knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
- demonstrated specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.
Competence and skills
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall have:
- demonstrated the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
- demonstrated the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake specialised tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
- demonstrated the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
- demonstrated the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.
Judgement and approach
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall have:
- demonstrated the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical considerations and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
- demonstrated insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
- demonstrated the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.
Qualification Requirements
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.
OtherInformation
General regulations for first- and second-cycle courses and programmes
For more information about semester dates, examinations and credit transfer at first and second-cycle level, see the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Possibilities for further study
Students who are awarded the Degree of Master in Food and Landscape may continue onto doctoral studies.
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Foodscape
Watch how you can be involved in shaping the food landscape of the future.
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