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    Aquatic Pathobiology
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    University of Stirling

    Aquatic Pathobiology

    University of Stirling

    University of Stirling

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    United Kingdom, Stirling

    University RankQS Ranking
    455

    Key Facts

    Program Level

    Master by Course Work

    Study Type

    Full Time

    Delivery

    On Campus

    Campuses

    on campus

    Program Language

    English

    Start & Deadlines

    Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026
    Apply to this program

    Go to the official application for the university

    Duration 12 month(s)
    Tuition Fee
    GBP 24,300  / year(s)
    Next Intake September-2026

    Aquatic Pathobiology

    About

    Food from aquatic systems is essential for much of the world’s population. However, with wild catches of seafood declining in many places, aquaculture is playing an increasing role as an alternative source of high-quality, nutritious food - and as an employer. Controlling disease is important to the ongoing success of this industry.

    Our Aquatic Pathobiology postgraduate degree gives you a unique opportunity to study the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of aquatic animal diseases in cultured organisms. You’ll study at the Institute of Aquaculture, one of the top institutions in this field. The Institute is internationally recognised for both research and teaching and has more than 70 staff and 80 postgraduate students. This Masters in Aquatic Pathobiology has been taught at the Institute for almost 40 years and is the only postgraduate degree of its kind in the world.

    The course combines high-quality, practical work and field visits with class-based training in aquatic disease diagnosis and health management challenges drawn from real industry situations. You’ll also develop an understanding of the biology, husbandry and environment of farmed aquatic species.
    The course can also be seen as preparation for anyone who plans to do a PhD in aquatic animal health or disease.

    The Institute of Aquaculture has received the UK’s most prestigious academic honour – the Queen’s Anniversary Prize 2019. The honour recognises outstanding work that shows quality and innovation, and delivers real benefit to the wider world through education and training. It recognises our pioneering work in the world’s fastest-growing food production sector and our bid to tackle global hunger.

    Queen’s Anniversary Prize 2019

    The Institute of Aquaculture has received the UK’s most prestigious academic honour – the Queen’s Anniversary Prize 2019. The honour recognises outstanding work that shows quality and innovation, and delivers real benefit to the wider world through education and training. It recognises our pioneering work in the world’s fastest-growing food production sector and our bid to tackle global hunger.

    Top reasons to study with us

    Our Institute of Aquaculture awarded the UK’s most prestigious academic honour, the Queen’s Anniversary Prize
    100% of our Institute of Aquaculture research was ranked as having outstanding impact (REF 2021)
    86% overall student satisfaction with MSc Aquatic Pathobiology (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2022)

    Study abroad

    There are no formal study abroad options, but the research project may offer an opportunity to work with aquaculture businesses or other research organisations outside the UK.

    Flexible learning

    If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.

    Faculty facilities

    The Institute of Aquaculture aims to provide the highest standard of facilities in an ever-changing commercial, academic and regulatory environment. We have freshwater sites in Central Scotland, tropical and temperate freshwater recirculation systems in Stirling and marine facilities in the West of Scotland.

    The Institute provides analytical laboratories in all the key priority research areas, including:

    • genomic, molecular and bioinformatics
    • microbiology and immunology
    • imaging facilities
    • nutritional analytical services
    • water quality services

    Research overview

    In REF 2021, we were ranked 1st in the UK for impact and 9th overall for research in Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Sciences, with 100% of the University's Institute of Aquaculture research having outstanding impact, the highest possible rating. 100% of our research environment is world leading or internationally excellent.

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    Academic requirements

    A minimum of a second class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.

    Other routes of entry

    If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.

    International entry requirements

    View the entry requirements for your country.

    English language requirements

    If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

    • IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
    • Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
    • IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.

    See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.

    Pre-sessional English language courses

    If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.

    Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.

    English Program Requirements

    If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

    • IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
    • Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
    • IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.

    See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.

    Career

    This course has run for almost 40 years and we’ve trained over 200 students (in combination with Aquatic Veterinary Studies) from all over the world. As a graduate, your expertise will be relevant to a wide range of potential careers in aquatic animal health. Your selected career path will depend on your personal interests, as well as your previous experiences. Graduates have gone on to work as aquatic health consultants, with government fisheries departments and as managers of seafood farms and aquaria.

    The course provides training for those who wish to pursue a PhD, especially in aquaculture, aquatic health, fisheries and aquatic resources management.

    In combination with the Aquatic Veterinary Studies degree these are the destinations of our graduates over the last five years:

    • About 30 percent have gone on to a PhD or further research
    • Around 20 percent work in government fisheries departments
    • About 15 percent are university lecturers
    • The remainder are managers of farms or aquaria or have other similar types of employment

    Employability skills

    We have designed our postgraduate taught courses so that, in addition to learning about your specialist discipline, you’ll be exposed to, and trained in, a number of skills which are not specific to aquaculture but which employers increasingly expect. During your course you’ll develop capabilities in the following areas:

    Academic

    • Researching information
    • Information retrieval
    • Evaluative and analytical skills
    • Problem solving
    • Experimental design and statistics
    • Computing modelling

    Communication skills

    • Oral presentation skills
    • Scientific and business report writing
    • Presentation of reports and research findings
    • Writing for a range of readers
    • Dealing with people, interviews
    • Teamwork, group-work, leadership

    Personal management skills

    • Time management
    • Organisation, planning and prioritisation
    • Working under pressure
    • Working to deadlines

    Companies we work with

    We work closely with the aquaculture industry in more than 20 countries, including every major company in Scotland, giving many of our students an opportunity to carry out industry-based research projects. During the course there are visits to various companies. Lectures and workshops in a number of modules are given by aquaculture professionals from Scotland.

    Fee Information

    Tuition Fee

    GBP 24,300 

    Application Fee

    GBP  
    University of Stirling

    Aquatic Pathobiology

    University of Stirling

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    United Kingdom,

    Stirling

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