MAs in Life Sciences. M.A. in Land & Livelihood Studies Access to land is a key determinant for livelihood security, and it is becoming highly contested in rural and urban areas. Increasingly, livelihoods based directly from land are becoming precarious; and land for the basic necessity of housing is also becoming unaffordable. In the last two decades we have witnessed changes in the pattern of investments and the nature of industrialization, growth of the service sector, rapid urbanization, agrarian distress, and rather polarized environmental debates. These changes have added a new dimension to the set of relationships that have previously determined ownership of land, work based on land including labour, the environmental quality of land, and food security. The increasing commodification of land is contributing to widening inequalities in rural and urban communities. Moreover “livelihoods” are also being fetishized in many State and non-State interventions, where people are viewed only as beneficiaries, and not as real actors with their own sense of agency. Given that the overarching economic processes are mediating access to land and livelihoods in many different ways today, it has become imperative to study the issues of land and livelihood in a trans-disciplinary manner, and reorient the way in which we approach questions about who gains access and who controls access to land and how, and the changing meaning, value, and nature of land and land based livelihoods. We imagine that design thinking when integrated with theoretical engagement and context-specific fieldwork will nurture a new generation of... [-]

Our specialization in Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) emerges from the understanding that we must urgently change our relationship to food production and consumption in order to move towards greater sustainability. It emphasizes that food systems comprise many parts and operate in complex social and agro-ecological contexts. Courses in this specialization train students to evaluate both the social and natural scientific aspects of food systems. The specialization takes advantage of Costa Rica’s unique location by studying all facets of agriculture and food consumption, from plantation style production of export crops to local, organic and permaculture production systems. The UPEACE garden also serves as a fundamental part of the curriculum; it is integrated into existing courses, and serves as a space for informal learning throughout the school year. This specialization prepares students to work as professionals in emerging food systems-related jobs in civil society organizations, governmental institutions, and international organizations. [-]

MA/ PgCert/ PgDip Equine Business Management

Through a combination of core pure business modules developed by the well-respected Bristol Business School and equine business specific modules, these programmes have been designed to develop your understanding of the equine industry. The MA will also help you identify career opportunities available within the industry from a business management perspective.

Throughout the programme we discuss the role of equestrianism as a sport, analyse the structure of equine industries, both nationally and internationally, and debate topical issues relating to the strategic development of the equine industry.... [-]