Program Overview

This one-year MSc in Global Plant Health provides the strongest possible grounding for a career devoted to minimising crop losses to help feed the world and protect the environment. By enrolling for this MSc, you will understand what makes plant pathogens virulent, the basis of plant immunity, how the next discoveries are made through experimental and computational approaches, what makes global response strategies successful and how to lead such a response. Rooted in scientific research excellence, this course develops the skills most sought after by employers. These include complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, coordination with others, and judgment and decision making.

This course is run by The Sainsbury Laboratory. It is an independent research institute that leads the world in molecular plant-microbe interactions. Its research covers a wide range of global diseases of crops. Its celebrated Group Leaders will share their vast experience with you. This course is associated with The School of Biological Sciences at UEA, with contributions from across the Norwich Research Park, including the John Innes Centre. You will therefore study in one of the world’s leading campuses in plant and microbial science.

A key and innovative element of the course is a 5-month research project of relevance to a global plant disease outbreak. This will provide invaluable experience for the next stage in your career by gaining familiarity with how to handle the main elements of the response to an emerging plant pathogen – from diagnosis, understanding virulence mechanisms and developing novel control strategies, through to project management.