MSc International Food and Agriculture Business

The MSc International Food and Agriculture Business offers participants an advanced grasp of the global dynamics, challenges, and prospects, along with the principles and methodologies pertinent to contemporary international agri-business management. It aims to cultivate professionals across various sectors within the agri-food industry, encompassing agricultural supply chains, trade enterprises, cooperatives, consultancy firms, industry associations, governmental bodies, and related organisations.

Locations: Aberdeen, Edinburgh
Study mode:
Start date: September 2025
Duration: 1 years
Agency code: IFA1

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Course Overview

Operating within the international agri-business sphere entails a diverse array of roles spanning finance, human resources, customer relations, logistics, marketing, cross-cultural trade, and procurement. Through this programme you will deepen your understanding of agricultural systems, financial and human resource management, while gaining insights into marketing strategies and the supportive industries facilitating agricultural production, processing, transportation, and supply chain optimisation.

We will explore the complexities of global food systems and the interplay between agriculture, economics, and policy. Combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience through case studies and industry projects, you’ll develop innovative strategies to address global food challenges. Graduates will be prepared to lead and drive sustainable growth in the international food and agriculture industry.

Please note: This course is subject to validation

Additional Information

: You can apply for this course using the apply now button located at the top and bottom of this page. Detailed information on how to apply can be found on our applications instructions page.

International students can also speak with a local authorised agent in their country who can assist you in applying for this course. Find your local agent by visiting our SRUC in your country page.
: This postgraduate degree is suitable for graduates who have completed a bachelor’s degree in any subject.

All applications are assessed individually on their own merit.

Specific academic and English language requirements may apply for international students. For country-specific details, please see our dedicated international entry criteria page.
: Take a look around the SRUC Virtual Experience for lots of great student videos and examples of what it’s like to study our courses, along with campus and facility tours.
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: Scotland has so much to offer, it’s no wonder that each year thousands of students from across the globe make it their number one choice for their study destination.

Learn more about studying at SRUC in Scotland
: SRUC offers a choice of campus locations and accommodation options. Learn more about each campus, including its facilities and accommodation options, by visiting our campus pages.
: Phone:

From inside the UK: 0800 269 453
British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact us through an interpreter via Contact Scotland BSL

From outside the UK: +44 (0) 131 535 4000

Email:

Scottish, Irish, and UK students: study@sruc.ac.uk

International students: interrnationalstudents@sruc.ac.uk

Online:

All prospective students are welcome to contact us by filling in our online enquiry form
: MSc Business Consultancy

MSc International Business

MSc Project Management

MSc Sustainability in Agriculture and Business

MSc Ecological Economics

MSc Food Security

What you'll learn

Agribusiness Management: Gain comprehensive knowledge of agribusiness operations, including production, marketing, and financial management, to effectively manage agricultural enterprises.
Global Food Systems: Understand the complexities of global food systems, including supply chains, market dynamics, and regulatory frameworks, to identify opportunities and challenges in the international food and agriculture industry.
Sustainable Agriculture: Learn to design and apply sustainable farming and food production practices that promote environmental stewardship and long-term viability of agricultural resources.
Food Security: Assess various food security issues and policies, and develop strategies to enhance food availability, access, and quality on a global scale.
International Trade and Policy: Gain insights into international trade regulations, agreements, and policies affecting the food and agriculture sector, and learn to navigate these complexities to optimise business outcomes.
Global Food Challenges: Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to develop innovative solutions addressing global food challenges, such as climate change, resource scarcity, and population growth.

Core modules

: This non-credit bearing Leadership Programme is designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge required for effective leadership in today's dynamic business environment. Through a blend of theoretical insights and practical exercises, you will explore key leadership concepts, strategies, and styles. The module emphasises personal development, ethical decision-making, and effective communication. You will engage in team-building activities, case studies, and real-world projects to enhance you leadership capabilities. By the end of the programme, you will be well-prepared to lead diverse teams, drive organisational change, and navigate complex challenges with confidence and integrity.
: This module prepares you to navigate the complexities of marketing in an ethical and socially responsible manner, covering essential marketing principles while emphasising the importance of sustainability, consumer well-being, and ethical decision-making. You will analyse case studies, engage in discussions on contemporary issues, and develop strategies that balance profitability with social responsibility. Through practical projects and real-world scenarios, you will learn to create marketing campaigns that are both effective and ethical. By the end of the module, you will have the skills to implement marketing practices that foster trust, transparency, and long-term success.
: This module equips you with the skills and knowledge necessary to develop and implement effective business and financial strategies. Covering core topics such as budgeting, financial forecasting, risk management, and strategic planning, this course emphasises practical application and real-world scenarios. You will learn to analyse financial statements, create comprehensive business plans, and make informed decisions to drive organisational growth. Through case studies and hands-on projects, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of how to align financial planning with business objectives and craft robust financial strategies for sustainable success.
: This module delves into the dynamics of how individuals and groups interact within organisations. We'll explore key concepts such as motivation, leadership, team dynamics, communication, and organisational culture. You'll examine theoretical frameworks and apply them to real-world situations to understand and improve workplace behaviour. Through case studies, interactive discussions, and practical projects, you'll develop the skills to analyse and influence organisational practices. By the end of the module, you'll be equipped to foster positive organisational environments, enhance employee performance, and lead effectively in diverse and complex settings.
: This module provides you with a deep understanding of the global agri-food sector, focusing on the business and economic aspects of food production, distribution, and trade and covering international market dynamics, supply chain management, and the regulatory environment affecting agri-food businesses. You will explore case studies and engage in projects that highlight successful strategies and innovative practices in the industry. By integrating theoretical knowledge with practical applications, this module equips you with the skills to navigate the complexities of the international agri-food business and drive sustainable growth in a competitive global market.
: This module dives deep into the processes and logistics involved in bringing food from the farm to your fork. You'll explore key aspects of food production, including agricultural practices, processing, and quality control, as well as the complexities of supply chain management. We'll cover topics such as inventory management, distribution strategies, and the impact of globalisation on food supply chains, all through practical case studies and real-world projects. This will equip you with the skills to optimise supply chain operations, ensuring sustainability and efficiency in food production. As a graduate, you'll be ready to tackle challenges and drive innovation within the food industry.
: This module delivers the essential skills for designing, conducting, and analysing research in a business context. Covering both qualitative and quantitative techniques, this course provides a comprehensive understanding of research methodologies, data collection, and analysis. You will learn to formulate research questions, select appropriate methods, and interpret results to make informed decisions. Through hands-on projects and case studies, you’ll develop practical experience in applying research methods to solve real-world business problems.
: The MSc concludes with an opportunity to undertake an in-depth investigative or research project on a topic closely related to the programme. You'll collaborate with a Project Supervisor to choose a relevant research topic. Throughout the project, you'll critically evaluate and present novel information, demonstrating your ability to synthesise and interpret complex data. This project will build on the knowledge and skills you've acquired during the programme, fostering your ability to conduct independent research and contribute original insights to your field of study.

Student experience

Shalom (Eneyi) Oshi grew up in a rural farming community in northern Cross-River, Nigeria and became interested in the ways farmers could improve their productivity while studying for an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Economics & Extension at the University of Port-Harcourt.

In her third year at university, she started a chicken farm which she managed for around five years. After being awarded a Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, Eneyi arrived at SRUC in 2023 to continue her studies and learn more about food production innovation in other countries.

Following her win of the SRUC Enterprise Challenge 2023, an annual contest that asks students to come up with innovative, sustainable solutions to challenges facing the natural economy, Eneyi recorded a podcast talking about her winning project and her experience of coming to Scotland and studying at SRUC. Listen to it on the SRUC podcast.

Graduate employability
91% of our graduates are in work or full-time employment within six months of graduation (DLHE survey 2023)

Research excellence
The research power of Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences at SRUC and the University of Edinburgh is ranked No.1 in the UK based on the quality and breadth of work (REF2021)

Global impact
SRUC is ranked in the top 200 in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

"Agriculture shouldn't end at theory; Agriculture is practical and SRUC helps young people embrace the practicality of agriculture. Personally, I truly appreciate the fame visits, the local and international field trips, and the unique model of delivering a course curriculum. It was a life-shaping experience."

Shalom (Eneyi) Oshi, MSc Food Security

Meet the lecturer

Bill Mackay

Senior Lecturer

Before becoming a lecturer, Bill’s career was in management, working with three multinational PLCs and three regional private limited companies, working in Glasgow, Edinburgh and London, including being an Operations Manager and Marketing Director. He then switched to an academic career in 2005 starting at Langside College lecturing mostly in financial management, business planning and marketing before joining SRUC in 2008.

"My style of teaching is experiential. I like to use a variety of activities in the classroom including games and simulations. My lecturing style suits active learners with a focus on visits to real rural businesses and taking those experiences back into the classroom. I’m lucky in that I work with terrific students and excellent colleagues.

SRUC is about creating and mobilising knowledge and talent to benefit Scotland’s natural economy. That is something that I buy into and take satisfaction from contributing to."

View Bill's Pure profile

Rachael Stark

Senior Lecturer

Rachael graduated from Robert Gordon University with a degree in Publishing where she particularly focussed on marketing during her work placement. Prior to SRUC, Rachael worked in marketing roles across various different industries including oil and gas, and as Faculty Marketing Officer for a Higher Education institution.

Rachael joined SRUC’s commercial arm (SAC Consulting) as Marketing Co-ordinator in 2012 and that’s where the interest in becoming a lecturer began and so joined the education arm of the organisation in 2015.

Rachael says: “The most rewarding thing in the world is attending graduation day and watching students who enrolled as nervous, shy first years accept their awards as the confident, accomplished professionals that they have matured into.”

“I am passionate about dynamic marketing and branding – I enjoy trying to understand consumer behaviour and what makes people tick. My teaching style involves using lots of case studies and examples to contextualise theory and to stimulate interactive debate. My most popular lecture involved analysing (and tasting) a variety of chocolate brands!”

Fiona Malone

Senior Lecturer

Fiona graduated with a degree in commerce and accounting from Edinburgh University before working in the health service. After a role involving training new recruits, she then moved into education, completing a post graduate certificate in education at Strathclyde University. Before joining SRUC 12 years ago, she taught at Napier University and Edinburgh College while also delivering the teacher training and assessor courses for internal staff and writing many study packages for students and staff across Scotland.

Fiona developed an interest in delivering not only the theory involved in management but the practical application to specific contexts and moved into delivering commercial courses, vocational qualifications and professional training to a wide range of Scottish financial institutions including Baillie Gifford, Scottish Widows and Standard Life.

Fiona says “Over the years I developed an interest into teaching methods and learning styles which is reflected in my approach to teaching – making sometimes complex subjects as simple as possible. I am particularly focussed on the financial and business development subjects and teach in such a way that students gain the confidence to tackle subjects (like maths!) that they might have struggled with at school. I love seeing how students’ progress through their years with us and evolve into the successful graduates who can make a real contribution to the rural economy”.

Dr Montserrat Costa Font

Senior Lecturer

Montserrat is an agricultural and food economist studying the organisation of the food system with a particular interest in food supply chains and food security. She is the programme director of the Food Security MSc.

Her background is in Agricultural Economics and Environmental Policy, and she has been teaching and researching the food supply chain field for around 15 years.

Montserrat’s research interests and areas of specialism refer to the whole agri-food supply chain and how it influences the food system in the U.K., Europe and worldwide. She focused on food supply analysis, consumer behaviour, food innovation, food security, market structure and environmental issues related to food production and consumption.

PURE Profile

Dr Faical Akaichi

Lecturer

Faical is an applied economist with a specialisation in behavioural economics, food marketing and econometrics. He is the deputy programme director of the Food Security MSc.

Faical’s research is in the areas of behavioural economics, experimental economics, food marketing, food security and quantitative methods. Faical’s research work aims to further understand individuals’ behaviour, its determining factors, and how policy can best use this understanding to promote more sustainable and healthier food production and consumption. Whereas some of this work encompasses qualitative methods, the main thrust has been towards quantitative methods.

PURE Profile

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for this course:

Scottish students: £9,000
RUK students: £10,000
International students: £19,000

More detailed information about these fees can be found on our higher education fees page.

Funding available:

Scottish students: you may be eligible to apply for a tuition fee loan through SAAS. Learn more
RUK students: you may be eligible to have your tuition fees paid as part of a bursary through your local government department. Learn more
International students: you may be eligible for international student scholarships through SRUC. Learn more

MSc International Food and Agriculture Business

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Enterprise Academy for the Rural & Natural Economy

Our Enterprise Academy was established to champion sustainable thinking and entrepreneurial action across education, business and research at SRUC and in our wider communities.