Master's degree (2 years)
Full time
Sustainable Food Systems

The Master’s programme Sustainable Food Systems prepares you to understand, analyse and change food systems. Through interdisciplinary learning and real-world projects, you develop the skills needed to work with food-related challenges in a wide range of sectors.

Apply here

ECTS credits:

120

Application deadline:

April 15th
International applicants:
December 1st

Start of Studies:

Autumn

Number of students:

Requirements:

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent education in a relevant field. Suitable academic backgrounds include agriculture, food science, nutrition, environmental and natural resource management, biology, social sciences, economics, technology or related disciplines. Applicants from other fields may also be considered if they can document relevant competence and strong motivation. Admission is based on academic performance (minimum average grade C / 2.5), documented background and a motivation letter, and interviews may be used when needed. As the programme is taught in English, applicants must meet NMBU’s English language requirements.

Requirements in detail
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent education in a relevant field. Suitable academic backgrounds include agriculture, food science, nutrition, environmental and natural resource management, biology, social sciences, economics, technology or related disciplines. Applicants from other fields may also be considered if they can document relevant competence and strong motivation. Admission is based on academic performance (minimum average grade C/2.5), documented background, motivation letter and interviews may be used when needed. As the programme is taught in English, applicants must meet NMBU’s English language requirements.

Ivrige urbane gartnere dyrker mat på et tak i storby

Agroøkologistudenter i samtale med bønder

Sustainable Food Systems – education for the present to shape the future of food

Food systems are central to global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, food security, urbanisation and social inequality. Addressing these challenges requires more than technical solutions. They call for professionals with the ability to analyse complex systems, integrate knowledge across disciplines, and translate insights into practical action in collaboration with stakeholders in the field. The Master’s programme Sustainable Food Systems at NMBU equips you with exactly that competence. This two-year, English-taught programme brings together three strong academic traditions – agroecology, urban agriculture and food systems analysis – into one integrated master’s degree with three specializations. You gain a shared foundation in systems thinking and sustainability, while specialising in the area that best matches your interests and career ambitions.

Learn by doing – not just by listening

In this programme at NMBU, sustainability is not just something you only read about – it is something you practice.

The programme is built around action-oriented and experience-based learning, informed by the NMBU Action Education Model. You will work in interdisciplinary teams on real-world cases, often in collaboration with farmers, municipalities, companies, NGOs and international partners. Through projects, fieldwork, reflection and dialogue with stakeholders, you learn how change actually happens in complex food systems.

This approach attracts students from diverse academic backgrounds and creates a dynamic learning environment where different perspectives are valued – whether you come from natural sciences, social sciences, technology or the humanities.

Three specialization – one common purpose

All students start with a shared core that builds competence in systems thinking, transdisciplinary collaboration, and sustainability analysis. From there, you specialise in one of three specializations:

Agroecological Transformation in Farming and Food Systems
Focus on farming and food systems as socioecological systems, case-based participatory change processes, training of competences and agroecological principles.
Circular Urban Agriculture
Explore urban food systems, circular resource flows and the role of food production in sustainable cities.
Food Systems Analysis and Transformation
Develop advanced skills in analysing food systems across scales, from local value chains to national and global food security.

Each specialization combines theory, methods and hands-on projects, and all culminate in an independent master’s thesis (30, 45 or 60 ECTS), often linked to real societal challenges.

European Master of Agroecology- double degree option in collaboration with ISARA, Lyon, France

The programme has a double degree option which starts with the first semester at NMBU. For the second semester, the double degree students can stay for one more semester at NMBU or they can go on an exchange through ISARAs student exchange agreements. For the third semester double degree student are at ISARA taking classes. And in their final semester they complete a 30 ECTS master thesis.

Please see the website for more information on the double degree programme, structure and application process.

Is this programme for you?

This programme is for you if you:

care deeply about sustainability, food and societal change
want to work across disciplines and cultures
are motivated by real-world problem solving
seek a master’s degree that combines academic depth with practical relevance

Whether you are coming directly from a bachelor’s degree or returning to university after time in working life, Sustainable Food Systems offers a unique opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to help shape the future of food.

Career opportunities

An international programme – rooted in real-world challenges

The programme is taught in English and attracts students from Norway and around the world. You can spend a semester abroad through NMBU’s extensive exchange agreements or choose an internship to strengthen your link to working life or research.

Graduates go on to careers in:

advisory services and development initiatives
education, research and PhD studies
entrepreneurship and innovation
environmental conservation
food and sustainability-related businesses
international organisations and NGOs
policy development and public administration

Exchange possibilities
NMBU has agreements with universities abroad, offering you the opportunity to participate in exchange programs – i.e. parts of the program may be completed abroad. You can also take on projects with international industry companies, gaining valuable practical experience, providing a possibility to build your network and develop your skills in a global context.
Program structure
The program consists of 120 credits spread over four semesters (two years). The structure is adapted to the learning outcomes so that students first acquire common foundations and tools, then specialize, and finally apply the knowledge in an independent master's thesis.
Three specialization – one common purpose
All students start with a shared core that builds competence in systems thinking, transdisciplinary collaboration, and sustainability analysis. From there, you specialise in one of three specializations:
- Agroecological Transformation in Farming and Food Systems
  Focus on farming and food systems as socioecological systems, case-based participatory change processes, training of competences and agroecological principles
- Circular Urban Agriculture
  Explore urban food systems, circular resource flows and the role of food production in sustainable cities
- Food Systems Analysis and Transformation
  Develop advanced skills in analysing food systems across scales, from local value chains to national and global food security
Each specialization combines theory, methods and hands-on projects, and all culminate in an independent master’s thesis (30, 45 or 60 ECTS), often linked to real societal challenges.
More about the program
- Societal relevance
  Food production and food systems are closely linked to some of the world's biggest challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss, social inequality, urbanization and food security. Understanding and solving these challenges requires interdisciplinary expertise and the ability to analyze complex systems. This study program directly addresses these problems and educates people who can contribute knowledge and solutions where the need is greatest.
  Future food systems must be more sustainable – environmentally, socially and economically. The master programme combines agroecology, urban agriculture and food system analysis to give students a holistic perspective on how food can be produced with less strain and greater justice.
  Traditional theory is not enough to solve “wicked problems” in food systems. The program is based on NMBU's action- and experience-based learning model, where students work on real cases in collaboration with farmers, municipalities, businesses and NGOs. This gives students skills that are in demand in the working world: collaboration, problem solving, critical thinking and the ability to translate theory into practice.
  Because food-related challenges are complex, we need people with backgrounds in natural sciences, social sciences, technology, economics, and humanities working together. The program attracts students from many disciplines, thereby reflecting real-world work processes in society and business.
- Learning activities
  The programme is built around action-oriented and experience-based learning, informed by the NMBU Action Education Model. You will work in interdisciplinary teams on real-world cases, often in collaboration with farmers, municipalities, companies, NGOs and international partners. Through projects, fieldwork, reflection and dialogue with stakeholders, you learn how change actually happens in complex food systems.
- Information for students from partner universities
  There are good opportunities for students from partner universities to take courses at NMBU. Several of our courses at 200 and 300 levels are given in English. It will therefore be possible to take a full academic year of courses in English.
- Cooperation with other institutions
  The program is implemented in collaboration between several faculties at NMBU, as well as external partners in business, the public sector and civil society. There is collaboration with international universities through Erasmus and NOVA. Relevant partners include ISARA (double degree cooperation). This may, for example, involve parts of the study being given at a location other than NMBU or parts of the study being offered in collaboration with other institutions.