Master in Food Politics and Sustainable Development
European School of Political and Social Sciences
Key Information
Campus location
Lille, France
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 - 2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 7,000 / per year *
Application deadline
01 May 2024
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
* Bachelor’s and Master’s fees: €3,300 and €11,640 depending on revenue and household composition
Online Answers Day #2 - 20 March, 18:00 CET
Join us for this online webinar with the administration team and our master students! You'll get the answers you need about our programmes, the career paths, life in Lille and living in France.
Introduction
The politics of eating and producing food
Food is a critical issue in today’s global and European politics. The regulation of agriculture, food distribution, public health, environment, and sustainable development are some of the issues covered by ESPOL’s master’s degree in Food Politics and Sustainable Development. This unique training program in France, combining theory and practice, allows students to gain a better understanding of the issues related to the politics of food and farming, and acquire the skills necessary to access key professional positions in public and private organizations.
Overview
Food and agriculture are fields in which major global challenges arise. In 2050, the world’s population is projected to rise to 10 billion people; and they all need to eat. The various ecological and social problems of the modern food system represent additional challenges. Questions related to the organization and regulation of our agri-food system are complex and include the production, distribution, accessibility, and consumption of food, as well as issues related to poverty, public health, animal welfare, science and technology, and trade. How would a sustainable food system look like, and how can it be achieved?
The master’s degree in Food Politics and Sustainable Development examines the ways in which public authorities (regional bodies, nation-states, European institutions, UN agencies) and private actors (individuals, farming communities and organizations, transnational businesses, researchers, NGOs, etc.) shape and transform the agri-food system. While the production of food is initiated at the local level, its distribution and consumption often have global implications. Understanding, analyzing, and acting upon these implications is key to sustainably steer, govern, and transform our food system in the future.
Because these questions require cross-political and technical knowledge, the master’s degree in Food Politics and Sustainable development is organized in close collaboration with practitioners. It includes a partnership with ISA Lille, the renowned agronomy institute of Lille Catholic University; numerous interventions from agri-food professionals; and field trips to regional farms, food-related policy events, key food fairs such as the Paris International Agricultural Show, and food markets such as the Rungis Market, the biggest wholesale food market in the world.
Please note that this programme is only available for a entry in 2nd Year of Master.
Admissions
Curriculum
Study plan
Semester 1
Core courses
- Agriculture and Rural Politics
- European Food & Agricultural Policy
Research courses
- Introduction to Research & Epistemology
- Political Science Research Methods
+1 optional course
+1 intensive language module
+1 career development module
Semester 2*
Core courses
- Political Economy of Natural Resources
- Global Food Politics
Research courses
- Statistics and the Political Sociology of Quantification
- Academic Writing Workshop
+1 optional course
+1 intensive language module
+1 career development module
Semester 3
Core courses
- Food and Sustainable Development: A project course
- Food Controversies
+ master’s dissertation
+1 intensive language module
Semester 4
Core courses
- Food, Agriculture, and the Environment
- Global Environmental Politics
+2 optional courses
+1 intensive language module
+1 professional internship
Optional courses
In semester 1, 2, and 4, you will be able to further tailor your degree to your interests by choosing from a broad offer of optional courses, such as:
- International Relations
- Comparative Politics
- Global Economic Governance
- International Development
- Global History
- Digital Democracy
- Sovereignty and the State in International Relations
- Global Justice
- etc.
Gallery
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships
ESPOL’s Student Excellence Grant
As part of our commitment to talent, ESPOL issues Student Excellence Grants every year. The grants are intended to provide a source of financial support to the best candidates who have been offered admission for one of ESPOL’s master’s programs. The grant will be allocated primarily to incoming master students who have confirmed enrolment.
Grant criteria
The Student Excellence Grants are allocated based on the following criteria:
- The degree of academic excellence, demonstrated by the candidate’s previous academic records;
- The candidate’s motivation and the suitability of her/his professional project with regard to the master’s degree.
When and how to apply
As an accepted candidate to one of ESPOL’s master’s programs, the only thing you need to do to be considered for a Student Excellence Grant is to confirm your enrolment in the chosen program by completing your registration on the admission platform (https://espaceadmission.univ-catholille.fr/) and paying the enrolment deposit (or the full tuition fees if you register from July onwards) by the registration deadline stated in your admission letter. Once confirmed, you will be automatically considered for the Student Excellence Grant.
How much you can get and how the grants are paid
Grants typically range from 1000€ to 2000€. The grant is awarded by check to the students once their enrolment in the program is confirmed. In the case of early drop-out or non-validation of the MA program, the total amount of the grant is to be reimbursed.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities
- Public administration at the national and sub-national level: ministries, regional and local authorities, but also other public administration agencies recruit experts in public policy;
- International and European organizations: the European Union, the FAO, the OSCE or the European Environment Agency;
- NGOs, Think Tanks, trade unions, interest groups, and lobbies often recruit experts with backgrounds in political science and international affairs;
- Businesses are increasingly recruiting people qualified in international affairs;
- Academic career: students graduating from our MA can also access Ph.D. programs in order to pursue an academic career.