Agriculture - Food, Economy - Management

Agricultural Development, Environment, and Food Economics

  • ECTS

    120 credits

  • Duration

    2 years

  • Training structure

    Faculty of Economics

  • Language(s) of instruction

    French

Presentation

The Agricultural Development, Environment, and Food Economics program is designed for students who wish to acquire research-based training, mainly focused on economic analysis, while also incorporating complementary courses in management sciences and economic sociology.

This Master's program aims to train students to perform roles that require autonomy, initiative, and a thorough understanding of economic reasoning. It focuses on teaching the fundamental theoretical and methodological knowledge of contemporary economic analysis.

Significant emphasis is placed on the use of advanced modeling and quantification techniques, as well as approaches derived frominstitutional economics and management sciences. Thanks to the various specializations offered, the program also provides students with in-depth expertise applicable to many sectors of the economy, paving the way for both academic research and careers in consulting and analysis.

 

 

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Objectives

  • Preparation through research and high-level teaching for various professional activities in the field of research and economic and management studies applied to development in the agricultural, agri-food, and rural sectors.
  • The professional positions targeted in the field of the master's degree generally require the ability to process information.
  • This Master's degree in Research is intended for students who wish to acquire training through research for positions requiring autonomy, initiative, and high-quality economic knowledge.
  • Focused on the transmission of fundamental theoretical and methodological knowledge, it places great emphasis on the use of advanced modeling and quantification techniques in contemporary economic analysis, as well as approaches from institutional economics and management sciences.
  • At the same time, it allows students to acquire in-depth expertise in many different sectors of the economy thanks to the range of specializations offered.

 

 

 

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Know-how and skills

Know-how

  • Analyze complex issues related to agricultural development,the environment, andfood using economic tools.

  • Designing and conducting a research project: formulating research questions, reviewing the literature, choosing methodologies, analyzing and interpreting results.

  • Use advanced quantitative methods (statistics, econometrics, modeling) for economic analysis.

  • Use qualitative and institutional approaches to analyze stakeholder behavior and organizational dynamics.

  • Evaluate public policies, development programs, or projects related to the agricultural, food, and environmental sectors.

  • Write analytical reports, summary notes, and scientific papers.

  • Present and defend research findings orally, in French and/or English.

 

Skills

  • Mastery of the theoretical foundations of development economics, agricultural economics, environmental economics, and food economics.

  • Ability to articulate economic analysis, management science, and economic sociology.

  • Autonomy in the collection, processing, and analysis of economic and socioeconomic data.

  • Critical thinking and ability to take a step back and look at results and methods used.

  • Ability to work independently or as part of a team in multidisciplinary contexts.

  • Ability to take initiative, organize, and manage complex projects.

  • Transferable skills for careers in research,economic expertise, consulting, andpublic policy analysis.

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International dimension

Starting in their second year, students can spend a year (two semesters) at one of the 60 universities with which the Faculty of Economics has partnerships through the ERASMUS+ exchange programs, inter-university agreements, and CHARM-EU.

https://economie.edu.umontpellier.fr/international/

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Organization

Knowledge assessment

The Master's program at the Faculty of Economics is structured over two years and four semesters, based on an assessment system designed to measure students' learning progressively and comprehensively. At the end of each semester, the skills, competencies, and knowledge acquired in each teaching unit (UE) are assessed in one of two ways: continuous assessment or a final exam.

Continuous assessment allows for regular monitoring of student progress through several forms of evaluation: supervised assignments, graded tutorials, presentations, projects, document analysis, and active participation in class. This method encourages attendance, regular work, and the gradual acquisition of skills.

The final exam consists of a written or oral test held at the end of the semester. It aims to assess the student's overall mastery of the concepts taught and their ability to apply their knowledge in a structured and in-depth manner.

Depending on the course units, teaching methods, or learning objectives, some units may combine both assessment methods. These methods ensure fair and diverse assessment that is tailored to the nature of the course, while allowing students to develop methodology, rigor, and autonomy throughout their academic career.

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Special facilities

Students with disabilities, young entrepreneurs, and high-level athletes can benefit from personalized support.

This may take the form of study arrangements, educational adaptations, or specific rights, in order to enable them to best balance their personal or professional constraints with their university education. Depending on the situation, these measures may include an adapted schedule, adjusted assessment methods, attendance facilities, individualized monitoring, or dedicated support services.

https://economie.edu.umontpellier.fr/scolarite/

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Program

  • Choose one of two options:

    • Spanish 1

    • English

  • Optional

    • Optional Spanish Semester 1

    • Optional English Semester 1

  • Agricultural economics and agricultural policy

    4 credits
  • Project management and financial evaluation

    3 credits
  • Econometrics

  • Introduction to R software

    1 credit
  • Environmental economics

  • PIR

  • Public economics

    3 credits
  • Survey methods

  • Stata

  • Choose one of two options:

    • English

      2 credits
    • Spanish 2

      2 credits
  • Optional

    • Optional English Semester 2

    • Optional Spanish

    • Optional UM student engagement

  • Corporate social responsibility

    4 credits
  • Economics of risk and uncertainty

  • Excel VBA

    3 credits
  • Natural resource governance

    4 credits
  • Econometrics of qualitative variables

  • PIR

    5 credits
  • Data analysis

    3 credits
  • Behavioral economics

  • EU1 Core curriculum

    3 credits
    • Circular economy and food system

      2 credits
    • Environmental economics and policy

      2 credits
    • Economics and Development Policies (Supagro)

      2 credits
    • Agricultural and rural economics and policies

      2 credits
  • UE3 Specialty Course 1

    • Choose 3 to 4 out of 4

      • New institutional economics (Supagro)

        3 credits
      • Public economic calculation

        3 credits
      • Sociology and Economic Anthropology (Supagro)

        3 credits
      • Theoretical approaches in management science

        3 credits
  • UE2 Methodology courses

    • Choose 3 out of 4

      • Quantitative and qualitative survey methods (Supagro)

        3 credits
      • Topics in experimental and behavioral economics

        3 credits
      • Modeling of agricultural and environmental policies

        3 credits
      • Applied econometrics

        3 credits
  • UE4 Specialty Course 2

    • Choose 3 out of 5

      • Economics of biodiversity and natural resources

        3 credits
      • Consumers, food, and sustainability (Supagro)

        3 credits
      • Coordination within companies and agricultural sectors. (Supagro)

        3 credits
      • Environmental information and labels

        3 credits
      • Institutions and Development (IAMM)

        3 credits
  • Memory

    22 credits
  • OPTION 1

    10 credits
    • Choose 2 out of 4

      • Seminar 1 (Supagro)

        2 credits
      • Seminar 3

        2 credits
      • Seminar 4

        2 credits
      • Seminar 2 (Supagro)

        2 credits
  • Research support tutorial (Supagro)

Admission

Admission requirements

  • For Master's 1: Holder of or currently pursuinga bachelor's degree (or equivalent, three years of higher education) in economics or a similar field, recognized in France or Europe.
  • For the Master 2: Have completed at least 4 years of higher education (Bac +4 / 240 ECTS) in fields related to economics or similar. A strong academic record and, in some cases, professional experience are valued.

economie.edu.umontpellier.fr/applications/

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Registration procedures

First year of master's degree

To apply for admission to Master 1, you must submit your application on theMon Master platform.

Second year of master's degree

To gain equivalent access to the second year of the master's program, the ecandidat procedure is mandatory.

economie.edu.umontpellier.fr/applications/applications-and-admissions/

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Target audience

Students from the Montpellier Academy, the Occitanie region, France, and internationally

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Tuition fees

Tuition fees are set each year by the Ministry of Higher Education. They are accompanied by the Student and Campus Life Contribution (CVEC). Both are exempt for students receiving scholarships.

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Capacity

15 first-year students

20 second-year students

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And after

Continuing education

The program prepares students for both immediate entry into the workforce and for pursuing a doctoral degree, which is possible under certain conditions. 

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Professional integration

Economists with this degree are capable of taking on management responsibilities in companies, public bodies, and associations operating in the environmental, agricultural, and agri-food sectors. They are proficient in statistical and IT tools used in economics, and have skills in modeling and data processing.

Holders of a Master's degree in ECONOMICS, specializing in Agricultural, Environmental, and Food Development Economics, work in the following sectors:

  • At university. Higher education in agriculture or economics, major public applied research organizations: INRA, CIRAD, IRD, IRSTEA, CNRS, IFREMER
  • In engineering and design offices, large international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), research and development departments of large companies, local authorities, certain public or semi-public administrations
  • In banks, insurance companies, large industrial and commercial enterprises in the sector
  • In the French and European civil service (after competitive examination)

Generally speaking, EcoDEVA Master's degree holders work as executives in the public or private sector.

They may hold the following positions: Local development advisor, Analysis and development officer, Research officer, Project officer, Project manager, Economic consultant, Economic engineer or statistician, Teacher/researcher, Researcher.

His degree makes him a specialist in environmental economics and natural resources, agricultural development, and agri-food.

 

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