MA Agriculture and Rural Development
University of East Anglia: School of International Development

The ESRC-recognised MA Agriculture and Rural Development was founded in 1978 in response to the persistence of rural poverty in low income countries.

Much has changed since then, including rapid urbanisation, diversification of livelihoods, and advances in biotechnology. However, the majority of the world's poorest people still live in rural areas and face difficult conditions, including inequality of resources, land degradation, poor market access, and 'natural' disasters. More recent challenges include HIV/AIDS, climate change, and the globalisation of commodity chains.

The Masters will provide students with an understanding of current trends and problems, as well as the practical initiatives that attempt to lift people out of poverty. The course explores contemporary theoretical perspectives, as well as current issues and policy applications. It examines the dynamic interactions between local livelihoods in rural areas and globalised agriculture, as these are mediated by rural policy and politics. There is an emphasis on the 'sustainable livelihoods approach' which has become a popular framework for analysis the causes of rural poverty and for identifying promising interventions for its alleviation, but equality on understanding rural policy and politics, and local/global connections in agriculture and rural development.

A sound academic background in a relevant field, and/or professional experience in any agency involved in rural development, and future interests in working in the broad field of rural and/or international development. International applicants should have an English language score of at least 6.5 on the British Council IELTS test, (minimum 6.0 in all components).

September to September