Climate Change Agriculture & Food Security

As the climate change challenge for sustainable development on the planet intensifies, there is a need in all organisations for personnel skilled in both climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies for the development of greener economies, agrifood systems and low-environmental footprint supply chains. Achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change will require transformation of food and agricultural systems worldwide, while the most marginalised farmers and communities must be helped to adapt to climate change through a just transition. 



Graduates of the MScCCAFS are extremely well positioned for strategic “change agent” positions in government, policy, research, enterprise, business, administration and other activities across a wide range of public and private sector institutions internationally.  

Year 1 (90 Credits)

Required PAB5133: Climate Change & Sustainable Development Perspectives

Required PAB5132: Sustainable Development Communication Skills

Required PAB5131: Sustainability Research Skills & Techniques

Required PAB5101: Climate Change, Agricultural & Global Food Security

Required PAB5102: Climate Change, Agriculture, Nutrition & Global Health

Required PAB5103: Policy & Scenarios for Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation

RequiredPAB5104: Gender, Agriculture & Climate Change

Required PAB5105: Low-Emissions & Climate-Smart Agriculture & AgriFood Systems

Required PAB5106: Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation & Risk Management

Required PAB5107: Sustainable Bio-Based & Circular Economy

Required PAB5113: CCAFS Research Project

Required PAB5108: Climate Change, Natural Resources & Livelihoods

Required PAB5109: AgriBiological Responses to Climate Change

Candidates must normally hold at least a Second Class Honours Level 8 primary degree in a related subject area, or have relevant equivalent experiential learning.

1 year, full-time.

Next start date: September 2026

The MScCCAFS builds your knowledge, skills and experiences across the broad fields of climate change, agri-food systems and food security. Taught modules are delivered by leading experts in these fields from the University and from guest lecturers around the world.



Our alumnus network includes graduates who are based in dozens of countries worldwide, in increasingly leading roles across government, research institutions, NGOs, companies, consultancies, universities and other entities.



Career mentoring, advice, strategy and facilitation is provided to all students on the MScCCAFS program to ensure that they can rapidly enter employment in relevant institutions and activities, where they can build from their interests, experience and training. The MScCCAFS program at University of Galway has a Theory of Change where the impact of the program on climate change, agriculture and food security globally is realised through our graduates.