Climate Change Agriculture & Food Security

This programme is aimed at students who want to combine scientific, engineering, technical, social and/or policy skills so that they are better equipped to understand and make significant contributions regarding the adaptation to and mitigation of climate change impacts on global agriculture and food security.

3 GOOD REASONS TO STUDY THIS COURSE

1. Excellence in interdisciplinary training: Awarded the GradIreland 2017 Best New Postgraduate Course title.

2. Mobility opportunity: All students complete a research project or internship worth one-third of the final grade; this research may be completed at the student’s place of work, within the international CGIAR Research Programme on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security, or in collaboration with other institutional partners.

3. Buoyant jobs market for graduates: Former students now work in the FAO (Rome), UNICEF (New York), FoodTure (Ireland), CIAT (Colombia), climate-smart agriculture and aquaculture programmes (Malawi, Zambia), and PhD studies in agroforestry, agrometeorology and livestock emissions

The MSc CCAFS is run in partnership with the global CCAFS programme and includes nine in-depth modules taught by leading researchers and experts; training in multidisciplinary research skills, science communication and career development; and a 30 ECTS research project. The majority of MSc CCAFS students do their projects with world-leading partner organisations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe including eight CGIAR Centers, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), World Food Program (WFP), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), World Bank, NGOs, universities and companies.

The MSc in Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (MScCCAFS) is run by the School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, and aligned with the Ryan Institute at the University of Galway. The course is supported by many international experts and researchers who act as guest lecturers.

All of our modules are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN, especially SDG2: Zero Hunger, SDG13: Climate Action and SDG15: Life on Land. There is also an important focus on social equity, including gender equality and climate justice, and the need for just transitions for rural communities.

These modules are taught by world-leading scientists, thinkers and researchers in their areas of expertise. Students will encounter a wide variety of teaching methods including web-based learning, lectures, exercises, seminars, excursions and group/project work. Students also attend events organised by the Irish Forum for International Agricultural Development.

The MScCCAFS programmehas strong partnership linkages to international development organisations globally, including across the UN System, the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and leading international development NGOs.

NQAI Level 8 honours degree or equivalent to a minimum standard of Second Class Honours, Grade 1 or equivalent in an appropriate discipline is normally required.

Please see Your Country for country-specific entry requirements. Work experience may also be considered..

Other requirements: proof of identity, academic transcripts, an academic recommendation, Personal Statement (max. 600 words), two-page CV.

All applicants, whose first language is not English, or who have not been educated through the medium of the English language during their two most recent years of study, must present an English language qualification taken within two years of the start of the course. Suggested English language qualifications include IELTS, Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), Cambridge C2 Advanced (CPE), TOEFL iBT/TOEFL iBT Home Edition, Pearson PTE and Duolingo.

1 year, full-time.

Next start date September 2024

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/approaches for the development of greener economies, agrifood systems and low-environmental footprint supply chains. Achieving the Paris Climate Agreement will require transformation of food and agricultural systems worldwide while our farming and rural communities must be helped to adapt to climate change.

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

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