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Wellbeing, Inclusion and Culture
Postgraduate Taught
| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year full time 2 years part time |
| Entry year | September 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Anthropology |
| Contact | Professor Harry West |
| Typical offer | 2:2 Honours degree |
|---|---|
82% of our research is internationally excellent
Based on research rated 4* + 3* in REF 2021. Our research in Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology and Criminology was returned to this UoA.
Top 15 in the UK for Anthropology
11th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
Internationally recognised for work in philosophical anthropology and the sociology of culture
Optional work placement or internship
82% of our research is internationally excellent
Based on research rated 4* + 3* in REF 2021. Our research in Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology and Criminology was returned to this UoA.
Top 15 in the UK for Anthropology
11th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
Internationally recognised for work in philosophical anthropology and the sociology of culture
Optional work placement or internship
We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree with 53% or above in any social science, humanities or environmental studies. Applications from candidates with relevant professional experience and evidence of good research and writing skills will also be considered.
Also, as this is a specialist and multi-disciplinary programme, students who do not meet the general admissions requirements but who have substantial professional or personal experience which is directly related to the programme will be considered. Students who wish to be considered on the basis of professional or personal experience should submit a detailed personal statement outlining their relevant experience. Students who do not fulfil the general admissions requirements may also be required to attend an interview and/or complete an assignment in order to assess their academic ability.
Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
This programme will prepare you to understand, critically assess, and practically engage with foodways and food systems.
Our core modules provide interdisciplinary perspectives drawing from fields including archaeology, classics, history, anthropology, sociology, geography, and political economy. You will survey the historical development of agriculture and food and develop an understanding of its place in the constitution of social identities and institutions. You will also analyse the workings of mainstream and alternative food systems and food chains as well as studying the challenges and proposed solutions to making foodways and food systems more sustainable.
A wide range of optional modules allows you to develop focused expertise in areas such as sustainable food production, health and nutrition, community development, education, or business and social enterprise.
An optional placement or internship will afford you the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and to develop networks, while the dissertation will provide you with the chance to acquire expertise in a particular area of study and to develop research and writing skills.
The programme is studied over 12 months (full time) or 24 months (part time) and is University-based throughout the period. The programme comprises 180 credits in total: taught modules worth 120 credits in total and a supervised dissertation worth 60 credits. Teaching takes place over two terms (October to May), followed by completion of the dissertation over the summer (June to September). Each taught module spans one term and is normally taught through seminars, underpinned by reading and essay assignments. The taught element consists of core modules, directed options and free options.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
120 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules
You may choose either the 15 credit or the 30 credit version of each module, you cannot choose both
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SSIM909 | Dissertation in Food Studies | 60 |
| ANTM004 | Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective or | 15 |
| HISM041 | Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective | 30 |
| ANTM021 | Food, Body and Society or | 15 |
| SOCM022 | Food, Body and Society | 30 |
| POLM016 | Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks, and Ethical Consumption or | 15 |
| SOCM021 | Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks, and Ethical Consumption | 30 |
| SOCM044 | Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment or | 15 |
| SOCM045 | Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment | 30 |
Programme Pathways
Our flexible programme enables you to choose either a specific pathway or a selection of modules, which might be at a much later date than date of entry to the MA Food Studies. All students graduate with a Masters in Food Studies, but if you elect to specialise, you will have one of the following pathways named in your degree title:
Food, Society and Culture (MA)
This pathway allows you to focus study on the social, cultural and historical dimensions of food and foodways. Modules fulfilling compulsory requirements must include: either the 15 or 30 credit version of Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective; and either the 15 or 30 credit version of Food, Body and Society. Your dissertation will also focus on a theme in the area of Food, Society and Culture.
|
ANTM004 |
Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective |
15 |
|
|
or |
|
|
HISM041 |
Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective |
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
ANTM021 |
Food, Body and Society |
15 |
|
|
or |
|
|
SOCM022 |
Food, Body and Society |
30 |
Food Systems and Sustainability (MSc)
This pathway allows you to focus study on food systems, alternative food networks and sustainability. Modules fulfilling compulsory requirements must include: either the 15 or 30 credit version of Food System, Alternative Food Networks and Ethical Consumption; and either the 15 or 30 credit version of Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment. Your dissertation will also focus on a theme in the area of Food Systems and Sustainability.
|
POLM016 |
Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks, and Ethical Consumption |
15 |
|
|
or |
|
|
SOCM021 |
Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks, and Ethical Consumption |
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
SOCM044 |
Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment |
15 |
|
|
or |
|
|
SOCM045 |
Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment |
30 |
You may also choose from the following list to satisfy the 60 credit optional module requirement.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MA Food Studies Option Modules 2024-5 | ||
| ANTM003 | Theory and Methods of Food Preservation | 15 |
| ANTM006 | Gardening, Wellbeing and Community | 15 |
| SSIM908 | Directed Practical Study: Agriculture and Food | 30 |
| ARCM120 | Themes in Archaeological Theory and Practice | 15 |
| ARCM130 | Discovering the Past with Molecular Science | 15 |
| ARCM403 | Advanced Zooarchaeology | 15 |
| ARCM407 | Zooarchaeology | 15 |
| BEMM487 | Entrepreneurship: Venture Launch | 30 |
| BEMM374 | Tourism and Marketing | 15 |
| BIOM568 | Blue Planet | 15 |
| BIOM4040 | Fisheries Management | 15 |
| CTHM007 | Research Skills in Classics, Ancient History and Theology | 30 |
| SOCM052 | Cultures and Environments of Health | 30 |
| GEOM143 | Global Systems Thinking | 15 |
| GEOM145 | Theory for Sustainable Transitions | 15 |
| GEOM407 | Perspectives on Sustainable Development | 15 |
| HISM016 | Advanced Historical Research Skills | 30 |
| HPDM027 | Contemporary Environment and Human Health | 15 |
| HPDM122 | Planetary Health | 15 |
| SOCM019 | Research Methods in the Social Sciences | 15 |
| SOCM023 | Social Theory | 15 |
| SOCM053 | Making, Using and Contesting Evidence | 30 |
£12,500 full-time; £6,250 part-time
£25,300 full-time; £12,650 part-time
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.
For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
*Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Core teaching takes place over the first two terms, leaving the third for your dissertation. Research-centred teaching is at the heart of the programme. Teaching is done in small seminar groups, through individual presentations and round table discussions of common readings. Some optional modules include practical work combined with reading.
Students have the opportunity to engage in a substantial piece of research into a topic of their choosing through the dissertation module. You will be assessed through coursework which will vary depending on the modules you choose, as well as the completion of a dissertation.
Depending upon your interests and career objectives, you may go on to conduct doctoral research, or you may find employment in:
The College's Employability Officer works with our central Career Zone team to give you access to a wealth of business contacts, support and training, as well as the opportunity to meet potential employers at our regular Careers Fairs.
Information for:
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