Foods and Meals for a Sustainable Future 7.5 credits

Image: Mattias Pettersson

About the course

Hey trailblazers! Ever wondered how what’s on your plate today could shape tomorrow’s world?

Foods and Meals for a Sustainable Future dives deep into how food, nutrition, and culinary science intersect with sustainability and our future. You’ll explore how different disciplines—like food science, policy, ethics, and culinary creativity—each tell their own version of the same story.

Through a problem-based learning approach, you’ll tackle real-world scenarios, break down barriers to sustainable eating, and forge innovative, plant‑forward solutions. Working in teams, you’ll grasp the power of systems thinking to not only analyze but redesign how we eat.

What makes this course truly electric? It’s co-created with prospective students—so you're learning in a space built by you for you. Split into three dynamic modules:

“Understanding Food Systems,”
“Transforming the Food and Meal System,”
“Is Plant‑Based Eating a Responsible Consumer Behavior?”

Each part challenges you to rethink and reimagine.
By the end, you’ll not only understand how unsustainable systems arose, but also design strategies and bold proposals for more equitable, resilient food futures.

Whether you're aiming to lead in food innovation, policy, entrepreneurship, or just want to save the planet one meal at a time—this course empowers you with the practical, interdisciplinary superpowers to do it.

Show syllabus

Apply

Spring 2026
- Foods and Meals for a Sustainable Future
  
  International admissions round
  
  Spring 2026 / Umeå / English / On site
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Starts
  24 March 2026
  
  Ends
  7 June 2026
  
  Number of credits
  7.5 credits
  
  Type of studies
  On site
  
  Study pace
  50%
  
  Teaching hours
  Mixed
  
  Study location
  Umeå
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-F2810
  
  Eligibility 90 ECTS in one subject including at least 7,5 ECTS thesis. English for basic eligibility for higher education.
  
  Selection
  Academic credits
  
  Application
  Application deadline was 15 August 2025. The application period is closed.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 20,800
  
  Total fee: SEK 20,800
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding
- Foods and Meals for a Sustainable Future
  
  International admissions round
  
  Spring 2026 / Varied / English / Web-based (online)
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Starts
  24 March 2026
  
  Ends
  7 June 2026
  
  Number of credits
  7.5 credits
  
  Type of studies
  Web-based (online)
  
  Mandatory meetings
  10
  
  Other meetings
  11
  
  Study pace
  50%
  
  Teaching hours
  Mixed
  
  Study location
  Varied
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-F2811
  
  Eligibility 90 ECTS in one subject including at least 7,5 ECTS thesis. English for basic eligibility for higher education.
  
  Selection
  Academic credits
  
  Application
  Application deadline was 15 August 2025. The application period is closed.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 20,800
  
  Total fee: SEK 20,800
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding
- Foods and Meals for a Sustainable Future
  
  Second admissions round for EU/EEA citizens
  
  Spring 2026 / Umeå / English / On site
  
  Apply
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Starts
  24 March 2026
  
  Ends
  7 June 2026
  
  Number of credits
  7.5 credits
  
  Type of studies
  On site
  
  Study pace
  50%
  
  Teaching hours
  Mixed
  
  Study location
  Umeå
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-28103
  
  Eligibility 90 ECTS in one subject including at least 7,5 ECTS thesis. English for basic eligibility for higher education.
  
  Selection
  Academic credits
  
  Application
  Online applications are now open. Application deadline is 15 October 2025. Please note: This second application round is intended only for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 20,800
  
  Total fee: SEK 20,800
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding
- Foods and Meals for a Sustainable Future
  
  Second admissions round for EU/EEA citizens
  
  Spring 2026 / Varied / English / Web-based (online)
  
  Apply
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Starts
  24 March 2026
  
  Ends
  7 June 2026
  
  Number of credits
  7.5 credits
  
  Type of studies
  Web-based (online)
  
  Mandatory meetings
  10
  
  Other meetings
  11
  
  Study pace
  50%
  
  Teaching hours
  Mixed
  
  Study location
  Varied
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-28105
  
  Outline for distance course
  The course will be provided in hybrid format; online and in person at Umeå University. Internet access, webcam, and headset/microphone are required.
  
  Eligibility 90 ECTS in one subject including at least 7,5 ECTS thesis. English for basic eligibility for higher education.
  
  Selection
  Academic credits
  
  Application
  Online applications are now open. Application deadline is 15 October 2025. Please note: This second application round is intended only for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 20,800
  
  Total fee: SEK 20,800
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding

Apply online via universityadmissions.se
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Late applications
Admissions to most programmes and courses typically close after the final application deadline. However, some programmes and courses may still accept late applications if seats are available. These are marked “Open for late application” on universityadmissions.se. Please note that late applications are not guaranteed to be reviewed.

More about application and admission

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