This MA is unique for its focus on the dynamic interactions between local livelihoods in rural areas and agriculture understood as a globalised industry. It advances an interdisciplinary perspective on linkages between global national and local level processes shaping agriculture and rural development by integrating knowledge from the social sciences economics and natural resource studies. The MA gives an overview of agriculture, rural livelihoods and rural policy and politics to strengthen student's analytical skills and to transfer key professional skills of relevance to work on rural development and agriculture. The course combines the delivery of theoretical knowledge with empirical insights and case studies grounded in the teaching team’s hands-on experience with agriculture and rural development in a large variety of low income countries. The MA Agriculture and Rural Development offers cutting-edge insights and skills on the linkages between agriculture and rural development. As these topics have moved back to the top of the international development agenda, the Masters provides first-class training on how agriculture can contribute to poverty alleviation and rural development in low income countries.