MSc Sustainable Food and Natural Resources Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT)

Develop your knowledge and understanding of the impacts of environmental change on global and local food systems and the natural world.

Explore solutions that could help address some of the urgent and crucial issues that we face, looking at different approaches and competing paradigms.

Key areas of study

Sustainable Food and Natural Resources will enable you to:

• Become versed in climate mitigation and adaptation in food and natural resources, soil health, natural climate solutions and food and land management systems.
• Develop skills and knowledge to transform the impacts of food production and the way our natural resources are perceived, managed, produced and distributed.
• Learn about the social, practical, political and economic aspects of sustainable food production and natural resources management, and the effects of industry-scale farming, agriculture and materials production on ecosystems and our environment.
• Develop a rigorous understanding of the impacts of economic structures and environmental change on diet, health, sustainability and community empowerment.
• Gain direct practical training and develop your knowledge of the underlying theory in a range of related topics, such as soil ecology and health, growing methods and comparative yields, environmental impacts of materials, and design for sustainability.

Modules

When studying this course as an MSc you will need to study the 30 credit Sustainability and Adaptation: Concepts and Planning module plus 3 additional core modules and 3 optional modules before undertaking a dissertation. Please click on the module descriptions below for information about each module.

Core modules

• Sustainability and Adaptation: Concepts and Planning
• Ecosystem Services: Land Use, Water and Waste Management
• Food Production and Consumption
• The Science of Sustainable Food Production
• MSc Dissertation

Optional modules

• Environmental Politics and Economics
• Theoretical Approaches to Transformational Social Change
• Cities and Communities
• Restoration Ecology
• Sustainable Materials in the Built Environment
• Applied Project
• Work-based Project

This course is created and delivered by CAT and is validated by Liverpool John Moores University.

Why study at CAT?

Benefit from over 40 years’ sustainability experience

CAT is a world-leading eco-centre and a pioneer in researching and teaching practical solutions for sustainability, with over 40 years’ experience in low-impact building, energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable food production, natural resources management and more.

Immersive learning

The taught eight-week modules offer an immersive learning experience through lectures, talks, seminars and workshops delivered by our expert in-house staff, with specialist insights from visiting lecturers from industry and academia.

Practical sessions are part of the programme of module teaching weeks at CAT, allowing you to get hands-on with sustainable building materials and energy efficiency.

Many modules are shared with our other postgraduate courses, providing you with a rich learning experience with your peers.

Distance and blended learning

Students can decide on a module-by-module basis whether they want to study on-site or via distance. Allowing you more flexibility to fit study around your life and existing commitments.

Our distance learning resources are also available to students studying on-site. Students studying on-site or via distance will be able to interact and share ideas and expertise via the online learning environment and discussion apps, helping to create a richer learning environment.

Flexible study options

Courses can be studied full or part time and our courses structure allows you to choose the mode and level of study that suits you, helping you fit your studies around other commitments.

Full-time study at MSc level will allow you to complete the course in 18 months. Part-time study at MSc level will allow you to complete the course over a recommended 3 years.

Interested in studying this course? Join us for our next open day, contact us for more information or apply today.

Visit the Sustainable Food and Natural Resources MSc page on the Centre for Alternative Technology website for more details!

Entry requirements for this course

Contact Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) to find course entry requirements.

View foundation and pathway programmes to help you meet academic and language entry requirements.