Why study MSc Livestock Science at Aberystwyth University?

• The Institute of Biological, Rural and Environmental Sciences at Aberystwyth University has 1000 ha of farmland, a 400 cow dairy unit, upland and lowland sheep and beef units and a flock of layer hens

• IBERS livestock-related research was worth in excess of ￡20 million in the last 5 years

• Our joint submission with Bangor University to the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) displayed that 78% of our research is world-leading or internationally excellent, and 97% of our research is internationally recognised

• 76% of our joint submission to the most recent Research Excellence Framework was judged as world-leading in terms of research impact

• Our submission in conjunction with Bangor University was the 5th strongest submission in the Agriculture and Environment area in the UK  - REF 2014

• IBERS has previously been awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education

• IBERS received the ''Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology'' award at the 2013 Times Higher Education Awards

• Aberystwyth University is a top 50 university for research power and intensity – REF 2014

Duration:

Both full-time (1 year) and part-time (2 year) routes available. 

Assessment:

Assessment will be by course work such as essays, seminar presentations, case studies, poster presentations and final examinations in January and May.

Entry Requirements:

Good Undergraduate degree 2.2 (UK) (or above) equating to a mark of 56.5 or above in the Biological or Agricultural Sciences or closely related disciplines. European and International applicants can find their grade equivalence on our comparability page. Those who are not graduates must satisfy the University that they are of the required academic standard to pursue postgraduate study.

English Language Requirements:

If you have a Bachelor’s degree from a UK University, you do not need to take an English proficiency test.

Non-native English speakers who do not meet this requirement must take a University-recognised test of academic English language proficiency. For further information please see our English Language requirements page.

Course Fees:

Please see the tuition fee pages for current tuition fees. Please note that all fees are subject to an annual increase.

Funding:

Funding opportunities may be available, please check our funding calculator for details.

Careers

Our graduates often progress to careers in:

• Scientific research

• Scientific publishing

• Laboratory work

• Animal Nutrition

• Animal Welfare

• Teaching

• Animal breeding

• Technical Sales

• Many of our previous graduates have also progressed to PhDs or Veterinary Medicine.

Skills

This course will empower you to:

• Develop an in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of the key contemporary topics affecting the Livestock Sciences

• Enhance your problem-solving and data handling skills

• Develop and sustain a self-initiated programme of study

• Develop study and research skills

• Develop your skills of original thought, analysis, evaluation, interpretation and reasoning

• Enhance your communication skills

• Work effectively independently and as part of a team

How will I learn?

This course can be studied one year full-time or up to 24 months part-time. When studied full-time, the course is divided into three semesters. During the first two semesters, students complete 120 taught credits (usually six 20 credit modules), which are delivered primarily through lectures, practicals, field trips, workshops, and seminars.

During the final semester (June to September), you will complete your master’s dissertation and will arrange your level of contact with your assigned dissertation supervisor.

What will I learn?

In the first two semesters, students will study a number of core modules, covering topics such as animal breeding and genetics, infection and immunity, grassland science, livestock nutrition, and livestock production.

Students will also undertake a research training module (Research Methods in the Biosciences), which will give them a strong grounding in statistical techniques and analytical approaches to biological/environmental investigations, and will enhance their research skills and techniques.

Throughout the course, a strong emphasis is placed on student centred study. This culminates in the master’s dissertation, a key part of the course which allows you to pursue specific areas of interest.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is via a mix of written assignments (case studies, research proposals, research critiques, essays, and reports), written examinations, seminar presentations and online assignments.

Successful submission of the dissertation in the final semester leads to the award of an MSc. 

Find out more on what our students think about their course: 

Bryan Harte, MSc Livestock Science 

Kevin Tonna, MSc Livestock Science 

Manod Williams, MSc Livestock Science

Xenofon Dimitrakopoulos, MSc Livestock Science