MRes Animal Science at Aberystwyth University

MRes Animal Science provides you with the ideal opportunity to carry out research in a specific area of animal science while studying a selection of taught elements relating to animal science (reproduction, anatomy, immunology, grassland science, nutrition, animal production and genetics). In this way you gain a Masters degree by research but with the opportunity to explore other taught areas of interest in different areas of animal science. Providing you with a high level of research training, the MRes is the ideal stepping-stone for those either considering a PhD in animal science or the wider field of animal/veterinary/biological science as well as positions in research and development.

Working under the supervision of active researchers with expertise in the field, you will develop a year-long animal science research project in the areas of production, reproduction, parasitology, nutrition, cognition or behaviour. You will be mentored in hypothesis-driven experimental design and will receive training in analytical techniques, statistical analysis and the interpretation of results.

Why an MRes in Animal Science?

From food production to the welfare of companion animals, animal science covers a vast range of topics across the full range of domesticated animal species. For this reason, the animal science sector is a multi-million pound industry and a huge employer of people worldwide. Postgraduate qualifications in this sector greatly enhance employability in the field and the MRes in Animal Science has specifically been designed to fulfil this goal. This course will equip you with specialist knowledge in a specific area of animal science and give you a range of critical and analytical skills widely sought after in the research and development sector of the animal industry. This skill set from the MRes will also make you highly competitive for advertised PhD positions in animal and veterinary science.

Why study at Aberystwyth?

With 360 members of staff (principle investigators, technicians and post-doctoral fellows), 1350 undergraduate students and more than 150 postgraduate students, IBERS is one of the largest research and teaching institutes within the UK. Excellence in teaching was recognised by outstanding scores (90-98%) in the National Student Satisfaction Survey for three consecutive years (NSS 2017, 2018, 2019), being awarded the Gold Award in the recent Teaching Excellence Framework (Teaching Excellence Framework, 2018) and wining University of the year for teaching quality for the second consecutive year (Good University Guide, The Times and Sunday Times, 2018 and 2019 . Employability data from the Recent Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE, 2017) shows that 97% of IBERS graduates were in work or further study six months after leaving Aberystwyth University. The economic and social impact of IBERS research was also recognised in 2011 when IBERS won the national BBSRC Excellence with Impact Award.